faith in the storm

I felt enormously encouraged by this post today, by the song chosen to still believe, to continue, defeat never allowed to do its work. Overwhelmed with the thought of hope these days, but not only that, broken for those who have no hope, for those walking alone in their troubles. Having grown up in a Christian home, I sometimes forget the hopelessness people far from God experience, the depth of grief there must be. We have troubles in this world, BUT GOD... BUT GOD fights on our behalf. And we can surely trust.

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve you while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

today

BE COURAGEOUS IN KEY MOMENTS

I am not good with making decisions, little ones maybe, but certainly not the biggies. I've come to notice lately that life's decisions have been ordained from above, now I need amped up courage to follow that lead, the only decision I am making is to follow Jesus or not. Some days I enjoy the safety of taking the easy route, that of burying my one talent, safely in the ground, rather than using and doubling it, with courage*. This year, and for the years to come, I want to courageously follow my Father's lead, because I know He is the rock, not sand, so really, it shouldn't take courage at all, really, it's plain old common sense.


*13 “Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work²⁷⁰ and gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. 18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it. 19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 The one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ 23 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth’” (Matthew 25:13-30).

how'd that happen, anyway?

So much has happened, almost since the minute I hit "publish" for the last post, I can hardly wrap my head around it, never mind explain just how it went down. All I know is, it's very evident to me that God put the brakes on our house sale until we found this place. All those closed doors opened so quickly, I can only compare it to that last part of labouring with child, many weary hours, until the final push. Yes, I did just say that - I kind of feel like I gave birth to this house. Probably not the prettiest image, yet just like I had nothing to do with making sure cells grow and hearts form, and a baby comes to be, we did not build this house, but here it is and it's perfect and I feel like a momma in love.

A time line which only God can orchestrate:

* Sunday - March 24th Viewed country house, wondering if a small subdivision lot is truly where we are our best
*Monday - Tuesday, many good chats about our next ten years, thinking country would win this one
*Wednesday - Receive information about NASCAR race track proposal just a couple km's down the street from that gorgeous red barn
*still Wednesday - prayed about it, knew right away country was out
*Thursday - feeling discouraged and confused, but feeling renewed trust in our Shepherd
*still Thursday - up and unable to sleep... in a sleep filled daze decided to jump online to see if there just happens to be a house with everything we need and want, with a quick close since we had a sense this would bring offers, quick.. oh and new would be nice
*Friday - early - 2am, so really Thursday night, still, we find this amazing home, with everything we need and want, plus a huge yard, a very quick close, since it's empty but brand new
*Friday, day time - we run the numbers and figure out we could make this place work, call to make a viewing appointment, and drive by the house several times, feeling that sense of home I can not put to words
*Saturday - noon - walked through the house, and knew it was meant to be
*still Saturday - make a call to an interested buyer on our end, confirm a possibility for a rather quick closing

and before you know it, we are signing papers to sell our place at just $2000 under asking, draw up papers to buy the new one, turn away several other interested buyers (really, that same day), get approved by the bank, receive an accepted offer with $5000 cash for appliances which we requested (hooray, gas stove!), and celebrate Easter in a way that seems bigger this year, because we've just seen the victory of God in our lives, all because His Son went to the cross.

We sense there is a bigger purpose for this house, to not just serve our family, but more. What that looks like, I don't yet. But we are suddenly noticing a few glimpses of the whats and hows, little bits of information released to us, just at the right time.

Jesus is never late, never early, but always right on time. Some days this, if I can be honest, is a little annoying to me. But I know it's for the best, because a relationship built on trust flourishes under these circumstances.