Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. – Colossians 3:15 (NRSV)
Yesterday I finally met our new home. It’s in the peaceful neighborhood of Tyler Run, in the lovely town of Wake Forest, just north of Raleigh, in the beautiful state of North Carolina.
I found it somewhat surreal to wind my way through the undulating, tree-lined streets of the quiet neighborhood, looking for our cul-de-sac, wondering exactly where this house was… this house that we’d closed on last Friday, this house that I’d never ever been to before.
I finally turned up the correct street, looking carefully for something that looked familiar, and I tentatively turned into a long, bumpy driveway before deciding that, yes, this was the house destined to become the new Maul-Hall.
It’s quite lovely. Smaller than our last home, yes, but perfectly suited for this next chapter of our lives, this next destination on the journey, this brand-new adventure.
PEACE: And I noted something else about our new address, I noticed peace, as I sat on the deck in the shade of the tall pine trees and talked with Rebekah by phone. Because this house is going to transform into Derek and Rebekah’s safe place, our retreat, our place of replenishment, our sanctuary. And, in consequence, it’s going to be a place of healing – not only for us but for other people too.
Thursday morning, when Rebekah and I met the new owner of our Florida home for the first time, it was as if we were wrapping her up in some Maul-Haul serenity. That’s the kind of peace that is going to inhabit our new home; it’s moving in with us. I can’t wait to share some of it with our new friends.
Come, Lord Jesus, and infuse this house with your kind of peace, the quality of rest that is beyond the limits of human understanding. Bless this house, God, in so many ways, and bless all who enter; renew us and equip us to help to heal this world. Amen
– DEREK
when i was a kid i used to draw that house a lot!
Welcome HOME! Peace be with you.
Robert and Gail
Blessings on your new home!
I have no doubt that a lot of healing will take place in the new Maul Hall.
does the house back up to a golf course?
Welcome to Wake Forest and ACC country! I am thrilled for that congregation to have y’all as their new mentors and know that God will do amazing things through you both! You are going to love Fall foliage and the contours of central NC…and then comes ACC Basketball! You are in basketball heaven….Tobacco Road! And though you have to be cognizant of who signs Rebekah’s paycheck at the church his/her possible ACC school loyalty, I suggest you choose my alma mater and your community’s name sake, Wake Forest University! I look forward to updates with you as you get settled and underway in your new pastorate. Godspeed! Hugh