My goal is to write these thoughts without tears streaming down my face...not sure that is going to be possible, though.
I have been rather emotional all week, grieving what will inevitably be the loss of a family home, & current homestead, for my dear grandmother, Lillie Alice Moreland.
As we all know, times change, seasons come & go, and growth happens. Especially in cities, and capital cities such as the "weird" Austin, Tx.
My grandmother resides in south Austin, living in a small town of Manchaca for her entire life. Born, raised, married, and currently still residing in this town that has many a street named after her side of the Meredith family. The news of the need to widen the Farm Road that runs in front of her house and property isn't new or lost to any of us in the family...the rapid growth of this area of town and the constant traffic issues are quite evident. Many proposals have been considered, and many city council/town hall meetings attended to voice our family's concern over the proposal that would directly affect my grandmother. However, as is always heartbreaking with eminent domain, the family's small voice is often drowned out by the louder and bigger corporations of construction companies, their bids, council-men, policies, and budgets. Unfortunately, as came to light this week, it seems that the 100-pg proposal coming from TxDOT views the widening of the lanes of FM 1626, that would, in effect, put the FM highway in my grandmother's living room, is the most cost-effective and adequate way of approaching the traffic & rapid growth issues of this part of Manchaca &/or south Austin. Nothing is 100% official, as of yet, and the documents from the Historical Society (written on my grandmother's behalf, as well as on behalf of other historical areas/sites in Manchaca, such as the original elementary school) still have yet to be reviewed by the city. However, with the news that the historical sites unfortunately do not meet the "standards" set by the city for a "historical site," the outcome looks rather grim on my grandmother's behalf. However, God is with us, and His will can & will prevail.
You see, in my human eyes, I understand that things can happen in at least 2 ways currently: 1. The city will vote to move forward with the current proposal and seek to buy the house from my grandmother, 2. The city will deny the proposal & our family will sigh a great big sigh of relief (& praise our Lord!)
(Lil's home upon completion in 1950s, with family waving to all)
However, in either situation, God is with us and we should be mindful of praising Him regardless of the outcome. He is sovereign, and He is in control. Even if option #1 comes into fruition (and it looks more & more like it will), we should PRAISE the Lord, for He is walking with us every step of the way. How do I know this? Well, let me share how He has been faithful to walk with me during this past week as this above news unfolded and as I have grieved what relocation means for my grandmother, as well as what this means for my father, and the loss of a family home.
(Lil's sons goofing around at home in 1950s)
I have currently been studying the life of Moses and have most recently been in the chapters of Exodus 5-10. Through the pages of His Word, and through the example of Moses, I have learned some valuable Truths:
- When things go from bad to worse...TRUST God.
- God uses disappointment to give us something better...we are to come to Him first, talk to Him first, and worship Him, as He always has our best interest in mind.
- Trust & believe that God always has a better plan...our job is to believe Him and that He is at work
- "God does not ask us to ignore our circumstances. He calls us to look beyond them to Him." (page 4 of BSF Lesson 4 notes on Life of Moses)
- We must remember to go to God with our disappointments, & discouragement (just as Moses did in Exodus 5 after appealing to Pharaoh for 1st time and having everything become all the worse for the Israelites)
- We are to remember His Words in Exodus 9:16, "I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Who knows what the Lord has planned through this, but no doubt, if we follow close to Him, obey, and lean into Him in our time of grief, disappointment, confusion, and sorrow, He will be glorified and proclaimed to all the earth. He will also come-alongside, walk with us, comfort us, and fill us with wisdom in which to move forward.
- We must also remember 1 Corinthians 2:9, "What no eye has seen,what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived_the things God has prepared for those who love him."
- Lastly, may we remember that God removes and replaces hard hearts...all we need to do is surrender to Him, confess, repent with sincerity & believe. He doesn't want anything from me, but wants everything for me: that I will know His is Lord. So, as we navigate through this difficult, emotional, and hard journey, may we lean into our beloved Lord & Savior, believe His promises and in His faithfulness, trust in His Word, and allow Him to be at work in our hearts...keeping them soft and pliable, and may we not grow hardened (even if/when things become more difficult than we think we can bear).
- Memories from this summer's 90th birthday celebration in Grandma's backyard:
Birthday table display for Grandma, with notecards for tender, treasured messages & memories to be recorded.
(right) Our family & extended family, all those near & dear to Lillie Alice, gathered under tents to celebrate her 90th birthday.
Great-grandson, Wirth,
drives his "train" all acrossthe property, giving cousins
& friends a roaring good time.
(right) Lillie Alice dining with a few of her great-granddaughters
Lillie Alice's son and grandson sing, play, and provide the entertainment for her evening birthday celebration.
