Something happened several weeks ago that makes me want to throw a temper tantrum just like my 2 year old when she doesn't get what she wants. As most of you know we are heading to Columbus, MS in just 2.5 short weeks, and I have been looking online for a house since December when we found out where the Air Force was sending us next. So back in March, Ian and I made the trek to Columbus, MS, looked at 20 homes and did not feel good about anything we saw. But then early May, I found this AWESOME home with a wrap around front porch and swings to boot and it looked GLORIOUS! Ian went on a cross country a couple of weekends ago and he took 25 minutes worth of video for me, came back and showed me the home and right there on the spot, we decided we had found THE HOUSE! Nothing was wrong with it...NOTHING! So we called up the owner, made a great offer and he said enthusiastically, "Y'all have a deal!" We were thrilled as the house search was finally over! The owner told us that he didn't want to do any bidding wars as another family was coming the next day but that we had a DEAL!
Well 2 days later, the man called us back and said the other family was willing to pay $25,000 more than the original asking price. We were puzzled, shocked and quite frustrated to say the least! WHAT??? You have got to be kidding! Ian and I thought we were coming back to a depressed economy NOT a market for bidding wars! We were so disappointed that this man had not been honest with us when he said, "Y'ALL HAVE A DEAL!" Now we understood why he didn't want to take the earnest $$$ we insisted on. So after Ian and I talked about this for literally a full day we decided to make an offer higher than the other family. When we called back the man was not home and wouldn't be back until late that evening so Ian and I kept praying about it and finally came to the conclusion that this house was NOT where God wanted us to be. It was perfect in every way, but we no longer had a peace about it as we felt like God was really blocking the way. So we called the fella back the next day and told him we just didn't have a peace about the home but if something fell through with the other family to give us a call.
So this is where the temper tantrum comes in...so many times we want things in our own timing, but God is saying "NO" and He knows what's best for us just like Ian and I know what's best for our girls. But we wanted to stomp our feet and we wanted to make this happen, but we know that we would rather live within God's protection for us any day than be in the house of our dreams and NOT be where God wants us to be.
Ian and I are so tired and kinda weary and ready for this training to be over and we are SO READY to get settled in Mississippi after being in transition for 6 months...that is 1/2 of the year! But we were just talking this morning before Ian left to fly that we are so very BLESSED to have the sweet marriage God has given us and our precious girls too! That is truly what is important!
I had visions of sitting on that front porch with the girls and waiting for Ian to come home from work and all 3 of his girls greeting him with hugs and kisses...and that front porch would have been perfect for sippin' on some sweet tea with friends and family, but for today I will trust that God knows BEST and that He knows which home we need and which neighborhood He will place us in.
And on another sweet note...when it was all said and done...my precious husband looked at me and said, "Ya know that other family might have needed that house more than we did!" I teared up and thanked God once again for my precious husband!
7 comments:
Vonda! thank you so much for sharing your heart. God does have a plan and His ways are perfect even when we can't understand. we have all been there in some way where we just wanted something so bad and God just was saying no. it's so hard and it's so hard during those times to trust His way is best! i can't help but think of Grace right now as I'm typing this! oh how her plans have been altered and the wondering WHY the Lord has allowed this has already started.
if our lives were smooth sailing, we wouldn't lean on the Lord like we should. we wouldn't seek Him and depend on Him. we could handle it ourselves. it does make us appreciate those "smooth" times but it also makes you long for the times when all you can think to do is pray and all you want to do is pray. when you are fully aware He's the ONLY one who can bring you out. He's the ONLY one who can satisfy your heart and calm your fears...those fears that are all consuming. You can't help but know that He'll make you stronger and you'll love Him more.
God has big plans for your family Vonda...wherever He sends you, whatever house it may be, has lessons for you in the waiting and is drawing you and Ian to Him and each other RIGHT NOW. during this past 6 months you've had so much uncertainty and you've been ALONE...no support network outside of the internet and telephone...not much family time...most of the work taking care of the girls on your own...but i am confident as the Lord pulls you out of this valley and sets you on the mountain top you'll look back and see how much you've learned and how much better you know Him and how much more you trust Him than you did before. you'll be ready to face the next challenges He gives you even more confidently KNOWING GOD LOVES YOU and His ways are best. knowing you can do ALL things through Christ...no matter how hard it may seem. He will give you the strength!
i love you sister!
God hasn't forgotten about your family and will not leave you high and dry. Keep trusting - your faith is an inspiration to us all! Thanks for sharing friend.
Just remember that the Lord will not withold something that has your name on it! He has a perfect house for the Livingston family and I am believing that right now! God will provide in His perfect timing and we both know that!
Love you girl...
gena
Oh Vonda-I am so sorry. Believe you me I have been there many times-"why oh why Lord have you not opened this door yet or that door?-you KNOW we need this or that". It is so hard to be patient and trust and walk blindly, trusting God that He will take care of us and yet HE shows Himself faithful over and over-like He doesn't want His very best for us. Why do I have to, sometimes, be like the Israelites in the Bible times-complaining and not believing-you would think I would have learned by now. I will continue praying that God will show you the perfect place that He has that is hand picked just for you and more perfect than you even thought the other house could be. I always try to think-maybe there was some hidden problem and the Lord was protecting me from having to deal with it or maybe God just knew there was something better or mabe this family did have a need bigger than yours. He holds them in the palm of His hand as well. I know how frustrating and anxious you must feel. God has so abundantly blessed you and He will continue to take good care of you.
Thank you for the sweet comment on my blog-www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com Here is the response I posted to you. (I wanted to send it in case you didn't go back and see my post)--Thank you so much sweet Vonda. You are so sweet. I know you have enjoyed doing your girls rooms as well. We were at an antique store the other day and they had several chandeliers and I immediately thought about you. I was thinking-there are enough here for Vonda to have one for each of the girls and I could even make some OH SO ADORABLE chandeliers and sell them--hmmmm!!! My brain just doesn't ever stop thinking. I'll send you an e-mail sweet girl-in case you don't check this out again for a response. Love ya (like a sista!!!)
I KNOW that my God is taking care of you and Ian! When things do not come out like we think we want them, as a Christian, I have found that oftentimes, NO EVERY TIME, God is re-directing for something far more wonderful than you wanted!
Love,
Mom
I got all teary reading this post...such a great post vonda..and so very true in ALL of our lives...we ALL are so impatient and want what we want when we want it lol...I can look back over my life and see all those temper tantrums and fits...and NOW I see where His plans worked out so much better :-)All the places I didn't want to go and I didn't want to be and those were the places that so much GOOD came from...Luv ya girlie and KNOW God has something for you, Ian, and those precious little girlies...big hugs
Vonda, thanks for sharing this story. You and Ian are a testament to waiting patiently on the Lord. He will truly bless you with a home just as He has with finding each other and giving you those baby girls. Y'all are such a sweet family, and I am blessed to call you friends. I cannot wait until you get to Mississippi and pick up where we left off! Love you all.
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