“From one man he made every nation of men…and he determined the
times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” Acts 17:26
To conclude our story…
What a thrill it was to sit across the settlement table from Brian and Kristin and transfer ownership of the home we’ve lived in for twenty-two years to them. Now, our grandsons will eat cereal in the kitchen, wrestle with their daddy in the living room, play swords in the basement, and sleep in the bedrooms of the very home that our children grew up in. This house will scarcely be able to hold all the wonderful memories!
Then yesterday, we had the joy of sitting on the same side of the settlement table as Mike and Janelle and purchase a home together. While our children have expressed much gratitude to us, we’ve told them that no one is happier than we are.
As I consider the past ten years, how grateful I am that God kept us from moving until now. If we had moved at any other time, I doubt we would be in a position to serve two of our four children in this season of their lives. As missionary Gladys Aylward once said, “God you knew what you were doing!”
“From one man he made every nation of men…and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” Acts 17:26
Now it’s my turn to tell the rest of the story (almost).
Brian and I bought our first home three years ago. It was small, but it was ours. The Lord graciously provided the perfect amount of money for us to enter the housing market. We fixed up our place and it quickly became a fun little home for our family. We knew, however, that it would be a temporary housing situation since the number of bedrooms would not enable us to grow our family.
At the time we bought, everything on the market was going higher by the day. Those were the years of escalation clauses and multiple contracts. We were so grateful just to get in.
Fast forward a few years and you all know what happened. We watched as the value of our townhouse dropped lower than what we had paid for it. Our wonderful realtor graciously walked us through a process of determining if we should sell. The Lord gave my husband the faith to put that sign up and in two weeks our home was under contract. Wow! The Lord was clearly leading us to move but we didn’t know where.
My mother-law Kaye graciously opened her home to our family. She was so kind to allow us to bring her three energetic grandsons to her beautiful home, and true to her nature, she has served us tirelessly since we moved in. We had a place to stay, but because of the distance from our church and school, it wasn’t a long-term solution.
Then we got one incredible phone call that I will never forget. My parents were finally able to move and they wanted to offer us their home at an amazing price, well below market value. We were simply amazed—not only by their generosity but the Lord’s gracious and kind provision for our family. We went from losing most of our equity to being able to move into a single-family home.
On May 9th we sat across the table from my parents and they transferred ownership of the home I grew up in to us. It was a wonderful day!
So this is an end and a beginning. We are so grateful for the Lord’s provision and my parent’s kindness. I pray that we will continue the legacy of this home by showing hospitality, caring for others and making many wonderful memories as a family.
“From one man he made every nation of men…and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” Acts 17:26
My turn for story-telling today.
One year ago, Mike and I began to pray about the future of our family—in particular our housing situation. We began to realize that if the housing market kept falling as projected (which it has) we would eventually reach a point where we wouldn’t be able to afford the loan on our town house. As we sought counsel from many wise people in our church, it became clear that we needed to sell our town house and try to save money for a down payment on a place we could afford long-term.
There were certainly temptations to anxiety as we looked at our future in light of the housing market. And no doubt many of you have faced similar temptations. But God’s Word reminded us that He had chosen the exact place we were to live and He would always be faithful to provide. Never, though, would we have imagined the form in which that provision would come!
In God’s mercy, our town house sold quickly in a slow market. Then my parents graciously offered for Mike, Caly and me to live with them rent-free for as long as we needed to save for a house. We gratefully moved in last June.
This spring, after saving for many months, we began to look for a place to live, only to discover that we weren’t in a much better financial position than we had been the year before. Loans had become more difficult to secure, so even with all our savings we still didn’t have sufficient funds.
That’s when we got an idea…how about asking Dad and Mom if they wanted to buy a house together. This would enable us to purchase something affordable and long-term. And the benefit for Dad and Mom? Well, Dad would get a handyman to do projects around the house, and Mom would get some help with the dinner dishes. (They would definitely be getting the raw end of the deal!) We approached them with this idea and much to our delight they were open to our little scheme.
This is so typical of my parents, who instead of viewing these years as a time to invest in their own ease and comfort, have eagerly sought to support and bless their children. They are always saying, “our kids won’t need our money when we die…they need it now!” Thanks Dad and Mom for being a tangible expression of God’s care for us!
So, a few months ago we started hunting for a house to fit two families. But I will have to leave you hanging there. Kristin will pick up the story tomorrow…
“From one man he made every nation of men…and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” Acts 17:26
A lot’s been happening with the Mahaney clan lately, and we want to fill you in on the details. Over the next few days we’re going to tell you a story—a story that first began over ten years ago, when Chad was still a little guy, and the girls were living at home.
It was then that CJ and I first began to consider moving to a different house in the area. We pursued various options including purchasing land, buying in a new neighborhood that was being developed, and moving to a previously owned home. We even got so far as drawing up contracts and picking out home designs. Over and over, it would seem like everything was falling into place, only to have it all fall apart. Each time we tried to move, God’s answer was loud and clear: not right now!
So, we waited. A lot of life transpired in the waiting. Each of my girls got married. Chad grew up. Also, many of my friends moved, seemingly without any trouble.
Occasionally I was tempted to wonder, why? Why was God not opening the doors for us to move? However I was encouraged by Scripture, which over and over again affirms the sovereignty, love, and wisdom of God. He had chosen the exact place we were supposed to live. I was wonderfully content and began to think this might be the place we would spend the rest of our lives.
Until now. This year, God has provided a new (well, new to us!) home in the area. And it happened in such a way that enabled us to serve two of our children and their families in the process.
Today Dad and Mom are away celebrating thirty-three years of marriage (May 17th). In honor of their anniversary, we thought it would be nice to re-post their courtship story, written from Mom’s perspective.
Picking up where she leaves off, Dad summarizes the story of their married life in one sentence: “By God’s grace it’s been 33 years of sizzling romance for the glory of God!”
Happy Anniversary Dad and Mom! Love, your family
It all started with a cold hot dog. Or at least that is what my husband claims was the temperature of this All-American staple food I fixed for him the first time we met. Though we had been officially introduced earlier in the day, it was the “hot dog incident” of that unforgettable evening in the summer of 1974 that inaugurated our relationship. Let me fill in a few details of the story.
At the time of our meeting, I was living at and working as a secretary for a Christian conference center in Bradenton, Florida, where guest speakers came to teach for week-long series. CJ had just arrived from Maryland as the new speaker for the week. The reason I was serving up hot dogs instead of attending to my secretarial duties was because I had recently quit my job as secretary. I had planned to move back home with my family before heading off to a Bible college in Texas in a matter of days. However, my friends hounded me until I reluctantly agreed to stay one extra week to hear and meet a passionate preacher named CJ Mahaney. And I was doing odd jobs for the week to compensate for my extended stay—thus my canteen duty where hot dogs and the like were served. But truth be told, I really did not want to be there. And I really did not want to meet CJ Mahaney.
So when he showed up at the canteen after the 11:00 PM closing time and asked for a hot dog, I said, “Sorry, we are closed.” He explained he had been traveling most of the day, just finished preaching and praying for people, and had hardly eaten a thing. He wondered if I would make an exception. With evident displeasure, I agreed. But I guess I didn’t boil that hot dog quite long enough to make it truly hot!
And I wasn’t the only one who didn’t want to be at that place at that time. CJ had also worked through his own struggles with not wanting to be there. After accepting the invitation to speak at this conference center in Florida, he had received another invitation to speak at Jesus ’74—one of the largest and most popular events on the Christian landscape at that time. So needless to say, he would rather have accepted that invitation. However, he believed integrity required him to be faithful to the commitment he previously made to the conference center.
So even though neither of us wanted to be there, he had come and I had stayed. We could not have imagined what the quiet providence of God had in store.
Apparently it was my lack of interest in CJ that, among other things, first captured his interest in me.
He couldn’t understand why I was being rude and unkind about simply fixing him a hot dog. He was curious. Intrigued. He wanted to find out more about this girl. He began to look for ways to interact with me.
I, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with him and purposed to avoid him.
Little did CJ know that he fit the profile of the kind of man I had vowed I would never marry—a preacher. See, growing up in the church I had observed many men in pastoral ministry who had mishandled finances, or committed adultery, or neglected to make their families a priority. Consequently, I had determined at a young age that I would not marry a man who was a pastor.
However, God in His great mercy had different plans for me.
As I began to listen to CJ preach over that week I was captivated by his passion for the Savior. So much so that by the time he asked me to take a walk with him several days later, I actually agreed. I was now the curious one. I wondered: Was this guy as passionate in real life as he appeared to be on stage?
My questions were quickly answered in that one walk. Because the only topic of our one-sided conversation (he did all the talking!) was about Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for our sins. And it was this same topic that dominated our conversations in many walks to follow.
I was smitten, and began to rethink my vow not to marry a preacher.
By the time CJ had completed his week of teaching at the conference center, he had communicated his interest in me, I had introduced him to my parents, I had decided not to go to Bible college and was rehired to my previous secretarial position, and a courtship had begun!
Or so I thought. However, I did not hear from CJ for several weeks after his return to Maryland.
You see, before CJ had met me, he had concluded that the most effective way he could serve the Savior was to remain single. So, when he got back home, he began to deal with a raging conflict in his soul. He began to wrestle with the question: Was he being unfaithful to God’s call on his life by pursuing marriage?
Thankfully, through the help and wise counsel of others he was able to resolve this issue and conclude that he wasn’t neglecting his God-given call by pursuing me. However, he had some big-time explaining to do when he finally phoned.
After we surmounted this hurdle, the courtship took off. However, the long-distance factor of our relationship, made the times together too infrequent, the good-byes extra difficult, and the phone bills way too high. So it was sweet indeed, when CJ asked me to marry him. Or more accurately, he asked: “Will you be engaged to me?” I think he had difficulty getting that word “marry” out of his mouth. But after my asking for clarification, he was able to say: “Will you marry me?”
I said “yes” and by far it is the best “yes” I have ever uttered.
In spite of the fact that each of us wanted to be somewhere else the day we met, that I didn’t want to marry a preacher, and that C.J. wasn’t sure he should get married, God’s quiet providence had other plans in mind. C.J. and I were married on May 17, 1975. He was 21 and I was 19.
This year we celebrated our thirtieth wedding anniversary, and this post is not long enough to tell you of the love we have for each other today. However, I have included a tribute to my husband, given at the occasion of his turning over leadership of Covenant Life Church. In brief, it tells the story of our thirty years together.
If you are not one of the millions of people who have seen this little girl sing the Lord’s Prayer, you’re in for a treat.
More talk on Monday,
Nicole for the girls
As a young bride, I came across some wise counsel that has served me
well through the years. Essentially, it was this: it’s often hard to do
important things, but it’s worth it. It’s a hassle to get the house and
kids ready for a sitter to go on a date night with my husband; but it’s
worth it. It requires a lot of effort to arrange a personal retreat;
but it’s worth it. It requires sacrifice to serve others in time of
need, but it’s worth it.
Sometimes though, when I consider the work involved to bless my
husband or a family member in a particular way, I back away from good
intentions. Or, I get an enthusiastic start only to abandon my plan to
bless a friend when I confront challenges or hurdles I didn’t
anticipate. But when I look back at times in my life when I have
persevered, it has been oh so worth it!
This past weekend was one of those times: my four siblings and I got
together in Tallahassee, FL to surprise my 85 year old mom for Mother’s
Day. No, it wasn’t exactly easy. I had to pack and prepare to leave my
husband and son behind. Two of my siblings and I drove fourteen hours
to get there. On Mother’s Day we traveled another three hours to take
her to the place she and my dad honeymooned 63 years ago. Then we drove
fourteen hours home, and I’ve spent a week trying to catch up on all my
responsibilities.
But to see how much it blessed my mom? It was absolutely, most definitely worth it!
Recently, my sweet 2-year-old misplaced her desire to sleep through the night. Mommy has been hard at work helping her to find that desire again. But it’s meant little sleep for Mommy at night and long days of wanting to crawl into the nearest bed. Mix in a rather nasty cold for the two-year-old and some pregnancy hormones for Mommy and I will leave the rest to your imagination.
But you know what? This tiny trial has forced me to draw near to God. And just as it tells me in His Word, He has been faithful to draw near to me (James 4:8). He has been reminding me of His sovereignty and love. This situation didn’t catch Him by surprise and it is the BEST for my girl and me. Sweet comfort!
So no matter where you find yourself today—in a trial big or tiny. Remember, the Lord isn’t surprised and He has PROMISED to work for your good in all things (Rom. 8:28).
These words from J. C. Ryle have brought me much encouragement:
“Reader, if God has given you His only begotten Son, beware of doubting His kindness and love, in any painful providence of your daily life! Never allow yourself to think hard thoughts of God. Never suppose that He can give you anything which is not really for your good. Remember the words of Paul: ‘He who spared not His own Son—but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things’ (Romans 8:32).
See in every sorrow and trouble of your earthly pilgrimage the hand of Him who gave Christ to die for your sins! That hand can never smite you except in love! He who gave His only begotten Son for you, will never withhold anything from you which is really for your good. Lean back on this thought and be content. Say to yourself in the darkest hour of trial, ‘This also is ordered by Him who gave Christ to die for my sins. It cannot be wrong. It is done in love. It must be well.’”
(2) discussion questions to go along with the series
(3) a downloadable PDF of the chapter where these posts originated (“God, My Heart, and Clothes”)
(4) and (YEAH!) a 35 percent pre-order discount for the book Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World (thanks to our friends at Crossway!).
Dear friends, we have a chance to participate in sending aid to those in need in Burma. Here is the information from Sovereign Grace Ministries:
Burma Disaster Relief Fund
As disaster-relief efforts continue in Burma, Sovereign Grace Ministries has the opportunity to provide assistance through ministry relationships we have in that country. We are establishing a Burma Disaster Relief fund and are contributing financially toward aid efforts in Burma.
Any who would like to join us in this effort can donate to the Burma Disaster Relief fund via our website.
Most importantly, please join us in praying that amid the destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis, victims of the storm would receive swift and effective help, and that many in Burma would hear and respond to the gospel.
“From one man he made every nation of men…and he determined the
times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” Acts 17:26
