When we bought this house, it was a wild market. Houses were being bought and sold with Black Friday-type frenzy.
We’d spotted one house in a neighborhood we really liked the day its For Sale sign went up. We called our realtor immediately and scored the first showing, but before we could even get in to see it, the house got two above list-price offers and went under contract.
After months of looking, we decided to find a place to just park ourselves. Temporarily. We’d buy a nice house, wait for the market to settle down and then move into a house we really wanted.
We found our in-between house. Maybe it wasn’t my forever house but it did have things I really liked. I loved the dormer windows and rocking chair front porch. I loved the quaint sloped ceilings and niches in the kids’ bedrooms, the walk-in attic, the big yard and the neighborhood creek where my kids could fish and we could launch our kayaks.
We made some minor improvements like painting rooms and changing the flooring, but decided we wouldn’t be here long enough to justify any big renovations.
We pulled up some old garden beds and spruced up the landscaping. But we never started that hedge along the back fence or planted the fruit trees we’d talked about. Those were long-term projects and surely we’d move before we could reap their benefits.
That was 10 years ago. We’re still in that house.
This in-between house has hosted more Christmases and birthdays than any other home we’ve lived in. It’s been the hub for a decade of schooling, book clubs, debate practices, cookouts, basketball games, neighborhood football, sleepovers, Easter egg hunts and first dates. I would never have predicted that so much life would come from this in-between house.
I’m feeling in-between right about now. Moved from a place I really loved and waiting for a place I really want to be.
It’s hard to put roots down someplace we think is temporary.
It would be so easy for me to coast through these years, waiting for the next chapter to begin.
But there is no in-between in God’s plan. This place is as much a part of God’s will for my life as the place I was and the place I will be a year or two or five years from now.
So often, looking ahead to what God has for us in the place we really want to be, we claim God’s word in Jeremiah 29:11: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.’”
Yes and amen. God gives a hope and a future, but God also gives a here and now.
Just before that verse in Jeremiah, it reads:
“This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.’” Jeremiah 29:4-5
Don’t waste the in-between, God tells them. Don’t coast through those years, waiting for your real life to resume. Build. Plant. Reap.
That is my prayer. I don’t want to waste these years waiting for something else. I’ve learned something about the in-between place: it has beauty and joy and abundant life. I want to nourish this place, to dig down deep and reap every bit that God has for me right here.
Beautiful truth: “But there is no in-between in God’s plan.” I don’t think I’ve heard it put quite that way. I’m so thankful that every step on the journey is for the greater purpose–it counts–whether we understand or not. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, that’s it, Lisa, isn’t it? I’m grateful as well that we can trust God for every step.
Thank you, Lisa, for this beautiful reminder today. I loved this post! May God bless us in the here and now and may we open our eyes to see those blessings.
Thank you, Vanessa! Asking God to see all of His blessing here.
This is so good, Lisa. God doesn’t waste anything and we can reap so much good when we live right in the moment.
I’m learning slowly. So good to see you Jen! Happy New Year to you!
Wow! What a blessing but also a conviction- a needed reminder that I need to stop wasting right now waiting for what’s next! Thank you- now please pray God will be gentle with my attitude adjustment.
Crystal, this was God speaking to my heart last night… to get unstuck.
This was so timely for me today! We have a big decision to make and this helped put that in perspective.
Cheryl
I’m so glad, Cheryl. Praying you will hear clearly.
Thank you for these words of encouragement. I needed this today.
Your welcome dear Iris. Good to see you friend.
We just moved into a new home this weekend. I feel like this is where we will grow old, but the “in between” space for me is this transition to a home that doesn’t feel like my home yet. We prayed to sell our home and downsize to a smaller house with a little land around it. I felt like this is what God wanted me to do to free us financially and allow us to be in a place where we could better serve Him. I am going to try to find joy in unpacking, moving furniture for the 50th time, and settling into a smaller, yet simpler life. I am exhausted, and I just keep thinking “I can’t wait to sit back and relax”…just in the space I have envisioned, not the dirty, dated, cluttered rooms we occupy now. Thank you for this reminder today. I needed it greatly.
What a good reminder that even welcomed moves can leave us feeling in-between. Thank you.
What a great reminder in a great post. There really is no in between, is there? Well there is, actually. The day your born and the day you die and all the other days are the days in between. We call it life. No need to wait for life!
Haha…true. 😉
Lisa, I love this so much. I know how those ‘in between’ houses can turn out to be more long-term, and how many great memories happen there:) I am learning to enjoy every moment God gives me. I still find myself drifting to goals and future plans sometimes, but God speaks so graciously to my heart, reminding me to see all that’s wonderful about today. Thank you for this beautiful word.
That’s it exactly, Kristine. Looking forward to what God has for us without neglecting all the joy right here.
Thanks Lisa great reminder! Just a side note…there is actually a town near us called Between. It’s a funny story how it came about that name! But they wake up every day in Between! 🙂
Love you!
Rene’
Oh wow, Rene. That’s so funny!
I’m feeling in-between with my job…im thankful for it,but at the same time very unhappy due to mistreatment and poor management… I had an interview two months ago praying it was mine…it was financially better and I would’ve been like my own boss in some ways…after not hearing anything I became very discouraged because I had envisioned myself getting that job..I’m still applying for other jobs and praying that God will rescue me soon?
Tawanna, praying for you now. Xo
Thanks it really means a lot..trying to trust God even when it feels like He’s far away…. I get depressed daily going to work…I feel unsafe and when I called HQ’s to report a hostile work environment I was told that my situation didn’t sound like one.. PLEASE HELP ME LORD,ALL I WANT IS A PEACE OF MIND AND A JOB WHERE I’M RESPECTED AND MATTER…THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR PRAYER
So great! And, just the reminder I needed. We are “in between” again. As the wife of a football coach, I have moved four times in the past five years. Our last move was just six months ago, and our staff was fired after the season and looking for the next opportunity…I need to remember that what I do with the wait time matters and is part of God’s plan! Thanks, Lisa 🙂
Ann,praying right now for peace and joy in this season for you.
What a perfect word in season for our family. We are literally moving out of our “in between” house next week! I really needed to hear your perspective as I felt like our home was the in-between for us as well, and we spent 12 years there, had a baby and witnessed many milestones. Thank you for the precious perspective of cherishing every moment God gives us and that He doesn’t waste anything He gives us, including time.
Amy, many blessings on your move! What you and I could have told our younger selves.
Thank you for this reminder to not sit idle waiting for something to happen (unless, of course, God has said it is a time of rest). I want to enjoy and live each day to its fullest!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Me too, Lori.
I’m certainly guilty of spending a lot of my time waiting to be happy. I’ll be happy when….. then when that happens, it’s never enough. I’m trying to be much more intentional about finding happiness wherever I am.
Jamie, yes, realizing we are stuck is key!
Lovely! And your pictures are GREAT! I’m in an in-between season right now about where to live. Not the best place to be but so grateful He is with me in my in-between place. Joining you from Holly Gerth today!
Thank you for stopping by Pam and praying now that you will see God clearly in this season.
There is something beautiful about being content where God has us. Knowing that His plans are good, and He’s always writing new ones over us, but that we can find peace in being present and enjoying the right now. I love that you’ve found that in a place where you didn’t even expect it. Love the photos of your kiddos too. xoxo
Yes, so true, Tiffany. My family has surely filled out this house with life and laughter (in all it’s grit).
Woo ~ you’re speaking, girl. This one especially encouraged me: “Don’t waste the in-between, God tells them. Don’t coast through those years, waiting for your real life to resume. Build. Plant. Reap.” I’ve lived that way. Bah humbug! Our Lord is slowly guiding me out of that, thankfully. Waiting in limbo is simply the pits. Great post, Lisa. Oh, and I love the house, too. 😉
Thank you Kristi. This house and I have been through a lot together. 😉
Smiling because our “in between” house has been our home for 20 years, and it looks as if it’s ours for good. We’ve raised our boys here, they love it, and they call it home. I’m not sure when I realized that we weren’t “in between” anymore, but I love your application. All time is important to God, so we dare not put our lives on hold for any material blessing.
This just might be my favorite post of the day. I love this!
Thank you, Suzie.
Lisa, I am always so incredibly encouraged by you. Your faith is beautiful. I pray for you and your family daily, and can’t imagine the waiting place in which you reside. I loved this, “But there is no in-between in God’s plan.” My goodness, YES! Thank you for your encouragement and words today. Blessings, sweet friend! #livefreeThursday
Crystal, I’m so humbled you remember us in prayer. God is incredible and His love so much deeper than any pit of this earth. Thank you for your kind words.
This was great for me. I’m at that in-between stage too. My days of homeschooling, events and projects have ended and now I feel like I am waiting for God to show me the next thing. The purpose of my life is not clear cut like it was when I had four children around me, so I can most certainly relate. Thanks for sharing!!
Oh, my! I am sitting here in tears, trying to see what I am typing on the screen! You will never know how much your words have ministered to me tonight. And, that verse! I always refer to Jeremiah 29:11, and the two verses after that one, but I have never thought to look at the verse before it. SUCH edifying words here, Lisa. This is my first time visiting, and I surely leave here blessed in spirit. Thank you for sharing what God has placed upon your heart. You are such a blessing!
I’m glad you’ve visited, Cheryl. Thank you for your kind encouragement!
Lisa,
So much wisdom you have shared in this post.
My daughter and son-in-law and now 10 month old granddaughter have been living with us for two years this month. They didn’t plan on it being that long, but as life goes, “things” came up that prevented them from being in a place where they could buy their first home until now. But I know that for them God’s timing is perfect and He indeed establishes every border we find ourselves in.
I will be sharing this post with my daughter as I feel it will encourage her greatly.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you so much for this post. I have been in the in-between stage in many areas of my life. But in them God is teaching me to be content with what I have. That is a not an easy lesson for a Perfectionist. The Lord has said that if I just keep my peace I will make it through these trials better and stronger than ever before. I am reminded of a caterpillar turning in it’s cocoon as it becomes a butterfly. Without the struggle the butterfly would not be so lovely and have it’s wings. It would have died if not for God, if humans hands would have tried to help, it would have died for sure.
This describes where we are! Trying to be in the moment bc it’s God’s plan for us.
We are waitlisted to adopt our first child and are in a temporary home until we buy. Lots of in between and waiting but we choose joy and are hopeful for the day we become parents and move too!
Great reminder and scripture. Thank you.
Lisa, I absolutely love love love everything you wrote in this post. We, too, never put in the backyard fence. We never finished the landscaping we wanted to. I didn’t even put up all the photos I wanted in all the rooms…because of course, this was just going to be an in-between state we were passing through for a couple of years. It has now been 8 years and counting. More life has been lived and more celebrations have been thrown and more tears have been cried here than in any other home. My preschooler is now in middle school, and all the boys are growing at lightning speed as I wait for the “next stage” of life, whatever that may be, to get here. Thank you for this precious reminder that today is what we are missing when we focus on tomorrow. Had to share this post with my friends 😊
Lisa, we will celebrate 20 years in our “in between” house in October! I find my vivid imagination on what’s next, what’s to come, future endeavors can rob me of my joy in the moments here and now. When I find my brain dances about the future have tied me up in knots, it’s time to be intentional about God’s plans for me THIS day. Thank you for the reminder of living in the present moment and thriving in the in-between.
This is so true. My husband passing away, my kids and me have to move. We are heartbroken to leave our home, and we have not found another yet and need to be out quickly. I just can’t imagine actually leaving here. We don’t know where we will go, all we know is the loss of here, our home. And the fear of how I will afford where we go with no income yet. Thank you for the reminder!