Waiting for Home

Ryan said I was mean to leave you with a cliffhanger. I would say I'm sorry...but I admit it was some of my most favorite writing lately, so I might not be sorry.

So...after we made our offer, all we could do was wait. And journal. (That part was just me.) I'll give you a peek into my journaled prayers from the night we made the offer.

"My heart still feels peaceful, but on the sick side of peaceful. I know, Jesus, that maybe You don't want us to have this house. Maybe You know of another house that is coming soon that is a better price, a better fit, a better location...anything like that. All of that, even. Maybe this is YOUR protection from us making a stupid move. But Lord, maybe this is Your way of writing a beautiful story - of showing us that You have something to give us when it seems there will be no way. Please, Jesus. If this is our home like it felt it was, then please don't let this other offer stand in the way. For whatever reason YOU choose, let ours be the one THEY choose. But if this is Your protection, then help us to bear the disappointment of it."

The next morning, I had an email from my friend Julie, who said this beautiful thing that I hope will drive my own future with others: "Allow me to wait and pray alongside you as we eagerly anticipate what God is writing for your next chapter!" I mean, look at that! Isn't that a BEAUTIFUL gift to offer someone in the waiting?? Thanks, Julie!!

I also saw a quote on Instagram, though I don't know who originally said it, that said this: "May you catch yourself saying a lot this year, 'WOW! I prayed for this. It is here. It's actually happening.'" LOVE that one!!! And I prayed fervently that this would become our reality. 

All day, I tried to be so calm and trusting, and with the Lord's help, I was able to do it. I wasn't anxious, but I also wasn't completely calm. There was a restlessness and a curiosity for sure. And each time I felt my heart leaping toward worry, God urged me to trust. And to help, He allowed me to run across verses and quotes all day long. 

Bonnie Gray, an author I follow on Instagram, said, "Today, when you feel alone, stop and breathe. Give yourself grace. WE may not know the way, but the God who loves you not only knows the way, He intimately knows your way. He is making a way for you."

I ran across Psalm 31:24: "Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord."

Psalm 143:8: "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." 

There were more, but you get the point, right?

Amie had said we should know by 5:00, so as the clock drew nearer, Ryan and I sat on the couch, nervously staring at the phone, willing it to buzz. 

It did not.

5:30.

5:45.

6:00.

6:15.

6:30.

6:45. 

Ryan asked if I minded if he went to men's Bible study at the church. I saw no reason for him to sit and stare at a phone with me, when I could just as easily stare alone, so I sent him on his way.

He wasn't even across the parking lot and to the church yet when the phone buzzed. Amie said she'd reminded the listing agent we needed an answer and was waiting. But she didn't want us to think she'd forgotten us. I called Ryan and updated him and then resumed my waiting. 

It was about 7:05 when she texted back - a GIF that said, "Offer accepted!" 

I stared at it and my brain wanted to believe she meant OUR offer, but I wasn't sure I could hope that much. So I said, "No. Are you serious?? Ours?"

She confirmed, and I sobbed.

I texted Ryan and said, PLEASE CALL IMMEDIATELY. Did I care that I had interrupted men's Bible study? Not in the least. 

He called and I squeaked out, "WE GOT IT!" He cried too (and I don't think he'd mind me telling you that) right there in the church hallway. 

He returned to Bible study and I had to wait an entire hour to get my new homeowner hug, but it was so worth it when it happened!

Here are some more thoughts from my journal: 

"I can't explain the joy we feel from knowing we have a home to go to and a wonderful place to start a new life. Jesus, thank You for this blessing. Thank You that somewhere, months ago, a builder decided to start constructing a house right in that spot so it would be ready for us now when we need it. Thank You for every decision that went into it. From the cabinetry to the layout to the light fixtures to the flooring and more. We just love it. We love how perfectly timed it was to be ready for us. Thank You for all the ways You're paving the way now, and we didn't even expect it. We don't even know what all the ways are yet, but we trust that they are there."

You see, years ago, Ryan and I had a dream of building a home. In fact, when we got married, Ryan owned a piece of land, and we had picked out a home that we wanted to build on that land. But then we learned that the county had rezoned and we were no longer permitted to build on the land, so we had to sell it. With it, we sold our dream of ever building or owning a brand new home. 

But God had other plans, didn't He?

I tell you...I love everything the builders picked for our new home. If I had been there to make the decisions myself, those were the decisions I would have made. Instead, someone else made them for me and saved me a LOT of time. I am grateful. 

And so this is how the second piece of the puzzle slid into place. Our offer was accepted, and we knew we would have a place to live. 

Isn't hope a wonderful gift?