Why We are Leaving Our Farmhouse

Since my last post announcing that we are selling our farmhouse, I have received many questions asking why.   I hope to answer your questions, as well as give you the vision that has been building in my heart these past few months.  Please take a disclaimer with all of this though: My husband and I feel strongly about the areas God has been working in our hearts.  We pass no “judgment” on anyone for where their lives take them.  Therefore, we ask that you honor our current season.  May it encourage and inspire you, but may it in no way, make you feel as if where and how you live is anything less than where God is leading our family.

To answer the first question asked: No, we are not leaving the area we currently reside in.  We have come to call central New York our home.  This is where my husband’s job has him and we are planting roots.  We are simply moving a few towns over and most likely leaving the country for the ‘burbs.

I believe that God led us to where we currently live for this season.  We have grown immensely over the past 3 years and the lessons learned at our farmhouse have forged our character.  These years have given us so many memories that we will forever cherish.  I see our children sharing stories of this season for many years to come.

But I also see God bringing us to a new home to create many more memories.  They’ll be different memories, that’s for sure, but none will be any more or less than the life we are currently living.  Different.  But beautifully perfect when we allow Him to guide our days.

So, why would we leave an 1836 farmhouse that we have lovingly poured into for 3 years?

One word:

Margin.

In our time.

In our finances.

In our energy.

Allow me to elaborate because through this blog and social media, only little glimpses are given of our life at Little by Little Farmhouse.

I may share bits of our days.  But those are the things that we do.

What about the areas we are lacking in?

{It’s normal to share our highlights with others, but to skip over the tough days.  And maybe part of that is my fault.  Call me guilty.  Possibly I will feel led to share more of the trials in the future.}

What exactly is this margin that I am talking about?

Picture a canvas in which an artist is painting.  She stretches the paint brush over the entire canvas.  There is no margin.  In the end, the canvas is full.  Completely covered in paint.

That has been us for the past few years.  Every day is full.  All the minutes.  All the finances.  All our energy.

I’m not saying that this is necessarily bad.  But, without margin, I am stressed.  And weary.

We could continue pressing on here in our farmhouse, but I have this growing in my heart that our family could be more to the world.  You see, we feel a bit like an island on our property.  And that has been a blessing for 3 years as we established our feet and poured into our children…and home.

But we feel that now is the time to step out.

To be the salt and light that we preach to our children.

To be good stewards of what He has given to us.

To have less.  So that we can be more.

To let go of the good.  For His better.

Margin.

The time, finances, and energy to go where He calls us.  To give our children experiences that we long to give them before they spread their wings and fly.  To enjoy community and build friendships.

We desire to paint on our canvas daily, but not to stretch our paint brush beyond where it should go.  Give ourselves the time, finances, and energy to be His hands and feet.  At a moments notice.  Or maybe lovingly planned.

Become the family and individuals that will be a light to others.

What does this look like?  Well, we aren’t quite sure.  But we do see ourselves downsizing to a smaller home and property.  One in which community surrounds us.  And we invite it in.  Where our children may flourish and chase the beautiful opportunities God has for them as we enter this season of life with “bigger” children.

What does it mean for this blog?  Well, I don’t plan to go anywhere.  God gave me the idea of this platform a few years ago and He has been faithful in growing my heart here…and it sure is a lot of fun to share life with you!

I plan to keep you updated on where and when God leads us…and I have quite a few projects to still update you on.  Stay tuned because I promise to have more.

And in the meantime, we cherish your prayers as we navigate the in between and cling to Psalm 46:10a “Be still and know that I am God.”

xo,

Leigh