Without going into unnecessary details, our family recently went through a forced move. Not the excited anticipation and dreaming of the future while boxing all your items, but a move where tears were shed, items were sold, my stomach wanted to throw up... move. We were blessed to find a house that would accommodate six people very comfortably, while allowing us to keep most of our 28 years of possessions. What was left behind was a lot with trees and nature sounds along with plane noises, as well as the death of a dream.
Our lot is very small and planes still fly over head, but they are bi-planes, a delightful sound. Gone are the days of planes landing at DFW Airport...this I have not missed.
As I settled in, still healing from our loss, I would cry at night over dumb things. One of my dumb things was the silence of our new dwelling. There weren't any nature sounds. There couldn't be the birds, bobcats, screech owls, turkeys, rabbits of our other dwellings, because there wasn't a place for them to habitant. I so longed to hear even the sound of a locust.
Then the other night, when all hope of ever hearing nature had vanished from our barren dwelling, I heard the strangest noise.
I got up and examined the electronic items in the house to see if we had something shorting out. I checked to see what the kids were fooling with (give me a break... it was after my bedtime!!). I couldn't find the source...ugh!!!!
My husband looked at me funny and asked what was the problem. I said, "stop....what is THAT? I can't SLEEP".
He laughed....now I have to go back in time to fill in the story.
So...my husband turns to me with a smile and announces that the noise is the weird, rumbling, mating moan of a male FROG!!!
Isn't God good? I had cried about not hearing nature sounds and he had brought me a FROG!!!! I had to just laugh. I wouldn't have asked for a frog, but that is what God sent me. The Prince of Peace sent me joy in my journey through a frog.
He sees our tears, he hears our hurts and frustrations....and HE ANSWERS PRAYERS. He didn't answer the way I wanted....large trees and birds, but He answered. I felt His touch and was reminded He was still there. He talks to us, but do we hear Him? Do we realize that He is expressing His love and encouragement? How many times have I missed something He wanted to bless me with?
Last night I called my son into my room to hear the noise....I told him what it was and we both laughed. It is a wonderful sound to me now, but I sure hope that male frog finds his mate soon!!!
May you hear God today!!
24 Joining in with more words:
First off-"Thank you" for always leaving such sweet comments on my site-wish you were closer so you could come over and drink a cup of tea or coffee with me and listen to the birds I hear chirping at about 5:30am every day-it is something that I really do enjoy. I am sorry your heart is aching-I will be praying for you and that God will give you a peace and joy about where you are at now-(where is that by the way?) While I was reading your story it made me laugh and cry-I have been there too-my family lives over 1900 miles from us-I didn't really want to move to TX it was even a longer distance than AR was and we had lived there 11 years but God has done amazing things for us here. I was thinking while I was reading this-"How appropriate-a frog-we have to kiss a lot of those in life sometimes before we find our "prince" or what our Prince has to offer us don't we?! I am praying for you today dear friend-maybe even that you would hear the sweet sound of our Savior's voice blessing you ear with a beautiful sound of something that will make your heart sing.
Happy Friday.
Love and blessings
Jill
Oh Janette I soo enjoyed this. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that He sent you that frog to show you just how much He loves you and cares. And your soo right ~ sometimes it is hard to remember that we do just have to stop and listen for His voice and touch. Have a wonderful week-end...HUGS
I just love how God hears our cry and He always answers us! I am thankful that He gave you the nature sounds you desired even if it was in a little toad!
You are a blessing my friend. So glad I found you through Him!
God is good and it's so like Him to show up with a small grace note like a frog, isn't it? Have a blessed weekend.
Oh did I need this story today...as you already know we are going through the same process...I have been moving things all week. And then the bank calls AGAIN tempting us with trying to work things out...which will not likely happen! The emotional roller coaster is intense. But God is sooo good! I am going to look for my "frog" today as I start to fit things into our new small space! We only have one of our five children still at home so that is easier! Time for new dreams, uh?
Thanks for stopping by...I look forward to sharing our journeys together!
Fondly, Carrie
Janette~I hope you don;t mind...but I linked over to your story today on my blog. I wanted to share it with my readers and friends! It is an inspiration!
Yes Carrie...you are more than welcome to...if it encourages anyone else...that is awesome.
Blessings,
Janette
Your blog is beautiful.... thank you...
You know we lost our "dream home" over 15 years ago now, and started all over...It was very tough, but I can honestly say that our smaller home has been the coziest, most inviting, and warmest home we've ever owned. Sometimes I find myself still pining, or feeling "less than" those who still have "bigger and better," and then I pinch myself into reality - I'm VERY blessed. And...we just paid off this smaller home...we'd never have done that where we lived before. Thanks for sharing...
How appropriate for Him to send a frog. Trust me, I know the power of prayer.
F - Fully
R - Rely
O - On
G - God
Thank you for sharing this story and for the reminder that God loves us and is involved in the details of our lives. I wonder how many times I've missed the blessing because I haven't stood still or stopped talking long enough to receive it. Tomorrow I will look at my life with new eyes!
What a wonderful group of supportive commenters you have here. Life is tough everywhere, isn't it? God surely knows your pain.
This is fantastic... (from SweetiePie)
F - Fully
R - Rely
O - On
G - God
I can't believe I wasn't following you before now. Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog. We may be forced to move out of our home for the last 16 years soon. I blogged about it. Anyways, the Lord is always faithful to show us His love. Blessings!
Thanks for sharing God's blessing to you. May you settle into your new home and find comfort there.
wonderful! He does indeed hear, and He always answers, if we just have a heart to hear.
celebrating your frogs with you!
Janette, I'm so glad I came by to visit your blog. I know what it feels like to leave it all behind. We actually sold all of our furnishings. Boo hoo!
We traded a beautifully landscaped home with a pool and fountain for a pebbled lawn and 3,000 square feet less.
However, one of the blessings for us is the wildlife we see every morning. We are naming the jackrabbits that romp through the backyard. There are lots of hummingbirds, doves, quail and even families of quails with babies trailing behind. We've had a few coyotes too.
Janette, I've started to be on the lookout for how the Lord would show me His hand at work. And He has!
I love that He gave you frogs; love it. We are on this journey and it's not our permanent home. I have to remind myself that we're just passing through on our way to our real home.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Blessings to everyone who commented on this post. Our family is going forward with God and are adjusting well...my frog came almost two years after we moved in, and less than a year after we lost our home.
My prayers are for all of you that are at this journey, either just starting, in the middle, or still walking it through.
Yes, we are just visitors here and our God is building us a Mansion in the sky!!! Permanent Dwelling Place.
This brings new meaning to "home"
Blessings and hope this encouraged others in their journey...my prayers are with you all,
Janette
Thank you for dropping by my blog the other day. I do not have internet at my house right now so I am not doing a good job of keeping up with things but plan to do better! Please come back and I will be visiting you as well!
What a cute story. I was reading it silently and giggled out loud. My hubby asked what, and I read him your post out loud and we both chuckled. Thanks for the great story, and for all the great comments, especially Sweetiepie.
xoxo to all
and especially Cozy Cottage for linking your story from her blog.
~a
Janette:
This is PRECIOUS! What a beautiful reminder God gave you in the frog. I just know He has a sense of humor...
Good for you, these are new days and He is in them all...
Loved this!
Hugs!
Sonja
what a great story. thanks for sharing it. No matter what our circumstances.. it is sooo good to know that God is always there. Even in the quietest or loudest ribbits of a frog!
I hope you are starting to find joy and healing in your new home.
I think in sharign your story you have been a blessing to many others!
hugs
vivian
What a sweet post! Isn't it 'frogs and snails and puppy dog tails' that boys love? And isn't it lovely houses and happy families that mothers love?
Since you've chosen the better portion- it looks like you have both. :)
Bless you, my dear!
God is so good...He even knows those little things that we think are forgotten. I love this story.
A couple weeks ago God moved in my life in such a profound way. My husband and I are dealing with severe financial issues that stem from four years ago when he was sick with cancer. Anyways, I was planning on getting my haircut and I was grieving that I couldn't. I know----seems so trivial. Then my friend calls me on Monday and asks about my haircut. I told her I was going to cancel it and she tells me that I cant' because she keeps waking up at night thinking about my haircut to the point it was making her feel ill. She felt that God wanted her to pay for my haircut. He heard my pleas...the little things matter to Him.
I am really sorry that you are going through a trying time. Truly.
With love,
Rachel
What a blessing to read this Janette.
Hugs,
Sue
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