Opened, Closed, Answered... Part 3

There's one final thing I've been reminded of while reflecting on our season here in SC. We prayed specifically for neighbors with children for our kids, particularly Bry, to befriend. I don't usually pray so specifically but felt a huge longing for this when we moved. So I handed it over to God, according to His will. Then we arrived to our new neighborhood to find there weren't any kids near our house for Bry to play with at all. Bummer! Oh well, it wasn't meant to be, right?

Then, in February life changed for our household. A wonderful family moved in directly across the street from our backyard. God is so strategic! Their house is set up slightly higher so both me and their mom can watch them play in our backyard from our kitchen windows. It couldn't be a better arrangement! This delightful family is more than we could have asked for, truly. Our kids probably play about 4+ hours on most days. To top it off, they are really great kids who I'm happy to be a part of my kids' daily life.

I have watched Bry & Claire (both 8) develop a deep and meaningful friendship through pretend games full of imagination. They have sat happily on the trampoline sharing stories and forgetting the rest of the world around them as they get caught up in their hours of creative thinking. I've gotten to watch Bry and Bennett (12)wrestle and run in the yard, shooting & swording, getting muddy and sometimes wet. Abby (5) and Delainey (4) are usually just happy to be somewhere in the mix of all the action, both independent but enjoying the company of the others. Sometimes Elle (2)gets to go out and join them. She runs and tries to sort of skip with excitement to get be outside with the big kids. Abby is usually only a step or two behind Elle and watches her with great care. Claire also delights in Elle but not as much as she delights in Bry (she's like a blinking cartoon character with the long eye lashes, "CRUSH" written all over her unsuspecting face and hearts practically dancing around her head). Bennett, although older than the rest, treats each of the younger kids with such respect and goodness. He is a great example for all of them.

I share all of these details to show that God didn't just give us a family with kids for neighbors, He gave us the BEST family we could have asked for as neighbors. Their ages and personalities have meshed perfectly with our children. They have been such a blessing to our family. Saying good-bye will not be easy for our kids and I know our children will never forget them. They have plans to be penpals and keep in touch, thankfully.

How richly God gave us that desire of our heart! He gave more than we hoped for with these neighbors. I am overwhelmed at how God hears us when we pray. He loves and cares for us. I am motivated to pray more, to trust Him more, to love Him more. He truly is the Opener of doors, the Closer of doors and the One who answers when we call out to Him.

"What is man, that you take thought of him
And the son of man, that you care for him?"
Psalm 8:4