God’s unfoldment for us is always far better than we could ever plan for ourselves. For several years I felt the urge to move. I especially wanted to be in the country and longed to watch the sun rise and set from my own home. There were several obstacles in my way: No one in my family particularly wanted to move, we weren’t sure we could sell our house, and my husband longed to live in a bigger city, not in the country.

We would discuss options periodically; however, there didn’t seem to be a good solution. It’s tempting to feel frustrated when things don’t happen as quickly as we would like them to, and it seemed our progress was delayed. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes: “Mortals have only to submit to the law of God, come into sympathy with it, and to let His will be done. This unbroken motion of the law of divine Love gives, to the weary and heavy-laden, rest. But who is willing to do His will or to let it be done?” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 208). I knew I could expect good to come because it is God’s nature to love us and give us only good. I knew I needed to handle the beliefs of frustration and lack. But the truth is, at that point in my experience I just wanted to move, and I wanted God to help me find a perfect new home for my family. I was ready for His will to be done if it meant what I thought was the right solution. I just wasn’t at the point of really turning over everything to God. 

I let go of the concept of home as a material structure, placed in physical surroundings, and began to think of home as a spiritual concept. 

In the fall of that year, my family and I were driving to another town, and we saw a house for sale that we’d viewed a year before. It seemed a perfect fit, even down to the layout being similar to plans I had drawn years ago for our future home. We contacted the sellers, but couldn’t agree on a price. I have had so many healings in Christian Science that I knew I could turn to God in this situation, too. Two passages from the Bible stood out to me: “It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect” (Psalms 18:32). “The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil” (Psalms 121:7). I loved the concept of God making my way perfect. I also knew God could protect me from the temptation of feeling frustrated and fearful if, as Mrs. Eddy tells us, I “let” His will be done. I didn’t have to accept discord; I could insist on harmony and let go of my own sense of timing and what I thought of as the right outcome. I had to watch my thinking and honestly pray to rise above the fear I felt. I had to trust God completely. 

As it turned out, we were not able to purchase the house. After about six months without success, I let the searching go. I felt there was something I needed to learn, so I finally turned to God with my whole heart. 

Looking back, I realized I’d gone from a material search—looking continually for land and homes—to a spiritual search. I really dug in, reading the Bible, Mrs. Eddy’s writings, and articles from the Christian Science periodicals more deeply. I let go of the concept of home as a material structure, placed in physical surroundings, and began to think of home as a spiritual concept. Even though I had witnessed love, respect, and happiness in my current home, I had accepted that I would be truly happy only if I moved. Since God is our source of happiness, my study helped me realize His love and goodness is always with us wherever we are. It was comforting to realize that I was already demonstrating a wonderful concept of home right where I was. There was no need for any kind of limited thinking.

I finally was able to allow God to hold complete control over the entire situation, and I let go of any preconceived ideas about whether or not our family should move. The following spring I was in one of my daughters’ rooms for our nightly routine of reading and prayers. While I was waiting for her, the thought came to look online for houses. This was a strange idea since I hadn’t been looking for homes for quite a while. I was obedient to this intuition and was soon led to a house that had just come up for sale. It was in the same town as my children’s school and my husband’s office. The house was nestled back with small acreage on a quiet edge of the town, and seemed just what we were looking for. We soon viewed it and wrote a contract. 

It was comforting to realize that I was already demonstrating a wonderful concept of home right where I was. 

A line from one of my favorite hymns reads: “For it is Mind’s most holy plan / To bring the wanderer back by love” (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 163). I am so thankful for the spiritual growth I had during this experience, and to have been able to allow God to lead the way in every aspect of this spiritual adventure. I’m also very grateful to have found my true sense of home. My concept of home now includes the qualities I value: beauty, space, order, love, joy, and freedom. I had been searching for a material home in a new location and felt I would be happy when I found it. It turned out I was already expressing and experiencing the qualities of home right where I was—I just wasn’t aware of it until I turned wholeheartedly to God and was willing to listen, and let go of human will. 

I am grateful every day for our new home and for the spiritual growth I experienced. The Bible assures us: “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3). God always has and always will love us. It’s amazing what happens in our lives when we let go of our own will, and replace material thinking with spiritual knowing. I am truly grateful.