This Faith Stuff

I think the hardest thing about this house selling/house buying journey we're on is the truth I realized early on: this entire adventure doesn't have nearly as much to do with buying and selling houses as it does with testing, establishing, and growing our faith.

That ever happen in your life? Something that takes place is really just a vehicle used by God to accomplish a much deeper purpose? A much more eternal purpose?

That has been this adventure. I actually am not sure I can explain to you all that has transpired APART from the fun and the stress and the paperwork part of this season of our lives.

But I can tell you this: God has been on the move. He has been speaking, unmistakably, even if the words we hear don't include any version of "Here's a step-by-step timeline of what's next for you." Some examples of what we HAVE heard through words we've read include:

"God knows what's next for you. He is already preparing your heart and mind. He is clearing the path. He will show you the way." - Liz Curtis Higgs

"Sometimes when we get overwhelmed, we forget how big God is." - A.W. Tozer

"The giant in front of you is never bigger than the God who lives in you." - Christine Caine

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock."  - Isaiah 26:3-4

There are many more, but that's just a sampling of the things chronicled in the journal to carry us through this part of the journey.

I wanted to share this one with you too - just because it gave me goose bumps! Ryan had called his mom to share with her about all our news, and as they talked on the phone, she glanced across the room and noticed her little "faith" picture sitting nearby. She grabbed her camera to take a picture, and when she looked at the picture on the computer later, she noticed the shadow of the cross on it.

THIS.

 These are the things that have sustained us in the waiting.

And you know what else? We have grown together, unifying in our faith and trust in incredible ways over the past couple of weeks. Who would have known that this would be such a bonding agent? It's not the first hard season we've gone through, but there's something about it that has created growth like we've never seen.

There's also a peace we can't explain. Even though there is so much that is absolutely unknown for us {our own real life "to-be-continued"} - there is this crazy peace that has settled over us. An excitement to see HOW God plans to resolve this. A peace that an answer is out there, even though we can't see it. A comfort that our faith really has grown, because I can remember a time not all that long ago when this very thing would have utterly undone me. Undone both of us, actually.

We are excited. Excited for something good and fun and joyous to come. Excited to see how God answers the deep need of our house to sell and the deeper need of our heart to trust Him to work a miracle.

Sure, there are moments of panic. Fortunately they tend not to hit us both at once, so we yoke up together and carry one another along in the moments of doubt until we've both found sure footing again.

Sure, there are moments of jealousy when we read about friends who are in a similar situation but have had no hiccups in selling their homes. That's hard to read about. But in those moments, we try to rejoice with them in their blessing, and in so doing, turn our hurt into praise for what God has yet to do for us.

And tomorrow, I am going to tell you the story of home inspection day. Another day when God showed up.