Last summer someone dumped piles of dirt in the lot next to our house. Because of that it didn’t surprise us when a small backhoe was parked there for a while this winter. However, on President's Day that backhoe dug a huge hole for a new house directly behind our house, taking the view of the temple completely away. Yes, a two story house is going in. We were so shocked when this started early on Monday morning. Hubby and I both panicked because we had asked the realtor of that lot to tell us when the price went down or when someone offered on it. We really don’t have any extra money to buy it, but we might have tried. Hubby frantically called the realtor, explained our dilemma, asked if we paid for all the costs they had incurred if they could use the lot right next door. She called someone, then us back. No, that lot had gone to short sale and the people couldn’t afford another one. The plans were drawn, the permits were bought and it was going forward.
I was literally devastated.. The sound of that equipment was very loud and the piles of dirt started going up. Hubby left to go to Home Depot and granddaughter "I" was over sick while her family was skiing. I wasn’t able to do the work I had to do that day because with "I" and the digging, I just couldn’t even think. I asked Hubby to come home because I was falling apart. We had such plans for that space! But the actual plans we had drawn up did not include that lot, so we can still put in a pool and do the landscaping, but nothing more.
We decided that even with "I" sick, we had to get out of the house and went to see a movie. After that I ended up closing all the blinds and watching movies all afternoon with "I" upstairs in the gameroom. I was so depressed at what we were losing.
You are thinking what a sad thing! Why is L writing this down? Because today, although still sad that our dream of that big backyard we wanted is now gone, I am okay with it! I truly am!
Hubby and I have talked it through. Here’s how I now feel and maybe the conclusion I have reached will help you.
It’s just a piece of land. Yes, the view was priceless. But the view from INSIDE the temple is much more important. And that symbolism isn’t lost on me. When we make covenants with the Lord inside that building we are reminded of what is most important. It is all centered in eternal things and a house built blocking out the view of the temple is NOT an eternal issue.
We bought this house because we like the house and planned for our family to spend time in it. I’d say that the view was definitely a factor in the purchase but maybe only 1/8 of the reason we bought it. The times we spend with our family here over the past 10 months had nothing to do with what we could see in our picture window. What goes on inside is what matters.
We can still finish off our backyard beautifully. I will put some lovely trees that will grow to the height of the house and they will look very beautiful outside of our windows.
I heard a story that helps explain my perception now. A family said a prayer before a family trip asking the Lord to protect them on their trip. While driving they got into a very bad accident. The father was seriously injured and taken to the hospital where he underwent many tests. The children were dismayed and questioned why the Lord had not protected them like they had asked. They felt the Lord had not answered their prayer.
The Lord had answered their prayer and protected them. During one of the tests, cancer was discovered in the father. Had the accident not happened, the tests would not have been done and they couldn’t have begun to fight the disease. I don’t know the outcome of whether the father lived or died, but the lesson of the story is clear.
The Lord knows best. We must trust him. I don’t know why of all the lots around her this family had to pick the one that takes our view away. The Lord knows that we would have had great family times if we could have bought that land. But the Lord also knows all things and I do not. I guess it is best that we not have it. I tell everyone that my favorite scripture is “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3: 5-6. I guess if I SAY I believe this scripture, I’d better LIVE like I believe this scripture. And I do believe it. So, although I don’t like the noise I am hearing out my window or the lack of privacy, I DO trust the Lord. He must have a good reason and someday I will understand.
I thank God so much for my knowledge of the gospel and for the ability to turn to him when I am sad and sick at heart like I was last week. I truly cried the whole day! The day after this started I forced myself to go to the high school to work. I was dreading coming home to a house all dark because the blinds were down. But I decided to face it. I came home, opened all the blinds and embraced the big pile of brown dirt on the property line! I am beginning to picture lovely trees changing color back there which will be beautiful in the fall. How would I be feeling today if I didn’t understand that there is an eternal plan for ME? How would I feel if I hadn’t been taught about it by two missionaries when I was 18? I’m sure I would be bitter and angry and probably making everyone around me miserable.
There are so many blessings we receive when we try to do what the Lord wants us to do. One of them is having a positive attitude even when it seems impossible. One day smiling seemed impossible. Today I smile when I think of my blessings and of knowing that eternal things are what counts.
So today, while the house goes up and little by little I lose that beautiful view, I will turn on the TV or some music to block out the banging, but I will also let the sun filter through the blinds and be happy with the many, many, many blessings I have.
Over it!
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