I believe God’s word is truth. I claim each and every one of God’s promises. I am a child of God. These three things alone should be enough to withstand any storm in my life, but I still sometimes allow fear and doubt to creep in. God, through it all, is always faithful!
In May 2007, after looking at houses off and on for about a year, I received news that I got the bid on a house. It was an incredible deal, a real long shot for me, and a story in itself. I had wanted to own my own home for so long, and that dream would soon be a reality. God blessed me with this amazing opportunity, and I opened my home and shared great times with many there. In the time I lived there, I think two different Community Groups met and walked through life together. Family and friends would come and visit. My mom even lived with me on weekdays while she and my dad were building their home in East Texas.
I absolutely loved the opportunities this place afforded me, but everyone knows that home ownership is not for the faint of heart. I cherished God’s provision of my home, but there was constantly something that needed to be taken care of. As independent as I am, and as much as I like to do things on my own, my dad was always on speed dial to advise me and, quite often, would drop everything to come help me out. Over the years, the neighborhood also began to decline too. I began to feel less safe. Through it all, I always reminded myself that God had provided this home and to always be grateful. I also didn’t know where else God could possibly want me to be. After five years, I am sad to say that this place of great joy gradually became a burden that I just didn’t know what to do with. Let me also mention that while I was in this crossroads of my life, other things were going on in our family that made me think I needed to figure it all out on my own. I am single and very independent, but my parents have always blessed me with Godly counsel. Knowing all of the things that everyone else was dealing with, I just decided to hold it all in and not be something that anyone else needed to handle or worry about. I was so stressed and emotional. I thought that giving up on this house would make me a failure. Why couldn’t I just be good and move forward? What I had also put out of my heart and mind was that God had other plans for me, and that he will always work for my good.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
— Romans 8:28
He knew that it was time to begin closing the chapter on this part of my journey, but I was hanging on so tight that I couldn’t see it. God was just waiting on me to step out in faith and be obedient to trust that he was guiding me in a different direction. It was past time to let go and let God.
I ultimately stepped out of the boat toward wherever it was that God was calling me to. After months of wrestling and agonizing over this decision, I decided to put my house up for sale. When I told my parents all that I had been struggling with and the decision that I had come to, it was like the weight of the world had been lifted off of my shoulders. That’s what happens when you begin to walk in faith. Yes, there were many unknowns, but God had blanketed me with peace and hope.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
— Philippians 4:7
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
— Jeremiah 29:11
At this point, I had only made the decision to sell the house, but I had no idea where I would go from there. Initially, my house was under contract within two weeks of it being on the market. Keep in mind, I just knew to be obedient to sell, but the first contract was God reassuring me that this was the right choice. That contract fell through, but another soon followed, which solidified that I would soon be changing my address. I still wasn’t sure where that would be. Everything was happening so fast, I just wasn’t decided on what the best thing was for me. In the waiting, I had friends who reminded me not to rush into something and offered me a place to stay until I was confident. One week from moving day, God had revealed his best plan for me, and I am reminded each day. In a couple of weeks, I will celebrate six years at a place where I am home, secure and living at peace daily. Storms will come, and God’s plans for my life will continue to change and grow, but he never changes. His promises are always true. When I call, he is always there, and his greatest joy is when I trust him to be God and carry me through.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
— Isaiah 40:31