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April 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
7:52:00 AM EDT
Feeling Quiet
Hearing The Upside Down Show- Zane's program
"It's all about options. Once one disappears, there are many others." -Dinesh Ranasinghe
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says God thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
It's funny how we automatically assume that we are in control of our lives and that even though we consult with God every now and then, we are the ones to finally decide what we're going to do and how things should work out in order for things to go well. Shouldn't I know by now that this is not true! We've been through so much in the last few years, and have relied on God so much, that I can't believe we've fallen into the trap of trying to do things on our own. You're supposed to learn by past mistakes - look back and see what you did wrong so that you can do right this time. I guess we fall into a comfort place where everything "looks" as though it is going the way God planned, so you assume, stop praying as vigorously, and simply "go with the flow". Not a good choice to make. This is what happened :
My H-visa arrived, so we now have extra time in this country. We have time to apply for our greencards and make this our permanent home. We wanted to sell our house back home so that we could buy here. When we got an agent in, he said that the house was in a terrible shape - the renter had not looked after it at all. So, my wonderful father-in-law stepped in and cleaned it up, painted, fixed, etc. Before we had a chance to put it on the market, he phoned and said that we had an offer for the house - a cash buyer! We were so excited. My father-in-law told us that he realized that there was a God who worked and who loved us (something we were more excited about than anything else). We had some forms to fill in and send back home. We eagerly started home hunting here - knowing we had time to find exactly what we wanted (or what we felt God would want for us). We found something that we liked more than any of the others, and decided that we would continue looking until the time was right.
Then, my father-in-law phoned and said that the buyer had pulled out! We felt as though we had been knocked over. It had seemed as though everything was going according to God's plans. But was it His plans, or had we simply started running ahead of Him (as we usually do).
Looking back, I think it's like a parent walking with His children. As they walk alongside each other, he shows them things alongside their path - things that make the journey interesting. He doesn't point out the things ahead so that they can simply enjoy the "now" of the moment. Suddenly, like toddlers, the children pull ahead with their attention on something far ahead of them that their father hadn't planned for them at that particular moment. He knows there is something ahead that could be dangerous, so he simply pulls them back. That which they wanted to put their hands on is gone - for now - until their father decides that the time is right for them to get it.
This is how we need to look at our situation. We HAVE to move by the summer. My DH's contract with the school system ends at the end of June so he will not be able to teach for a year (politics of the company that brought us over here). He will be spending time with some friends of ours that are out of town for 2 - 3 days at a time, so we have to live in the kids' school district in order for them to catch the school bus to school and back. My school is too far out in the country for me to be able to take them, take Zane to daycare and get to school on time. And no, I don't want to change schools. So we have to move this summer because we are currently out of the school district. We re now looking at renting - which we didn't want to do, but hey, His plans are greater than ours! We have to simply trust and have faith that there is something wonderful ahead of us that we will be able to hold onto - in time. It's a hard lesson to learn, but we've always been blessed just because we waited and had faith in our wonderful Father who loves us.
Have a wonderful week
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
(Proverbs 3:5,6)
Written by caromarls Blog about this entry |
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7:52:00 AM EDT
Feeling Quiet
Hearing The Upside Down Show- Zane's program
It's all about options
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says God thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
It's funny how we automatically assume that we are in control of our lives and that even though we consult with God every now and then, we are the ones to finally decide what we're going to do and how things should work out in order for things to go well. Shouldn't I know by now that this is not true! We've been through so much in the last few years, and have relied on God so much, that I can't believe we've fallen into the trap of trying to do things on our own. You're supposed to learn by past mistakes - look back and see what you did wrong so that you can do right this time. I guess we fall into a comfort place where everything "looks" as though it is going the way God planned, so you assume, stop praying as vigorously, and simply "go with the flow". Not a good choice to make. This is what happened :
My H-visa arrived, so we now have extra time in this country. We have time to apply for our greencards and make this our permanent home. We wanted to sell our house back home so that we could buy here. When we got an agent in, he said that the house was in a terrible shape - the renter had not looked after it at all. So, my wonderful father-in-law stepped in and cleaned it up, painted, fixed, etc. Before we had a chance to put it on the market, he phoned and said that we had an offer for the house - a cash buyer! We were so excited. My father-in-law told us that he realized that there was a God who worked and who loved us (something we were more excited about than anything else). We had some forms to fill in and send back home. We eagerly started home hunting here - knowing we had time to find exactly what we wanted (or what we felt God would want for us). We found something that we liked more than any of the others, and decided that we would continue looking until the time was right.
Then, my father-in-law phoned and said that the buyer had pulled out! We felt as though we had been knocked over. It had seemed as though everything was going according to God's plans. But was it His plans, or had we simply started running ahead of Him (as we usually do).
Looking back, I think it's like a parent walking with His children. As they walk alongside each other, he shows them things alongside their path - things that make the journey interesting. He doesn't point out the things ahead so that they can simply enjoy the "now" of the moment. Suddenly, like toddlers, the children pull ahead with their attention on something far ahead of them that their father hadn't planned for them at that particular moment. He knows there is something ahead that could be dangerous, so he simply pulls them back. That which they wanted to put their hands on is gone - for now - until their father decides that the time is right for them to get it.
This is how we need to look at our situation. We HAVE to move by the summer. My DH's contract with the school system ends at the end of June so he will not be able to teach for a year (politics of the company that brought us over here). He will be spending time with some friends of ours that are out of town for 2 - 3 days at a time, so we have to live in the kids' school district in order for them to catch the school bus to school and back. My school is too far out in the country for me to be able to take them, take Zane to daycare and get to school on time. And no, I don't want to change schools. So we have to move this summer because we are currently out of the school district. We re now looking at renting - which we didn't want to do, but hey, His plans are greater than ours! We have to simply trust and have faith that there is something wonderful ahead of us that we will be able to hold onto - in time. It's a hard lesson to learn, but we've always been blessed just because we waited and had faith in our wonderful Father who loves us.
Have a wonderful week
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
(Proverbs 3:5,6)
Written by caromarls Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has 4 comments: (Add your own)
-
have a good week:) praying for God to provide a new home for you all
Deb -
Having enough faith is the key to having the right amount of balance in our lives. I think it takes a lifetime to finally get it right. At times I have tremendous faith and at others my faith is weak and faltering. I pray for things and hope for the best, but I seldom pray believing the best will happen. At least I pray . . .
Marie
http://ayearatoakcottage.blogspot.com/ -
Ugh! Caroline, you are so right about feeling comfortable and turning less often to God when things seem to be going well enough, and how He pulls us back when we try to get ahead of where we are. The analogy of the parent and children feels accurate. You've been tested, your heart has been searched, He knows of all your wants and desires. Maybe there are other options that you have yet to be shown. I believe we should keep praying on it while you seek a place to live. What a book you could write about how your faith has lead you and made you! We're often like the Hebrews, always doubting, always forgetting who we are and who He is to us, even forgetting where He wants us to be and what He wants us to do. Have a good day of worship today, and a day of peace. love, bea
http://journals.aol.com/bgilmore725/Wanderer/
5/13/08 4:52 PM