Saturday, February 9, 2008

Not going to be worried

I was beginning to become concerned about the number of houses on the market in our neighborhood. When we purchased this home, there were only a few other houses on the market in that same neighborhood, and all were well above what we were planning on putting ours on the market for. In the last 30 days there have been TEN houses that have come on the market. Most of those in the past week or so! That means that we have way more competition. Now, our house looks better than all of these... but some of these houses are larger, have more rooms, have nicer yards, have pools etc... We had an unrealistic goal of getting a buyer to put in a contract on this home by the middle of March (before our lease is up). As time rolls on and our house isn't on the market yet, and ten others are, our chances of reaching that goal have gone from unrealistic to almost pretty much unattainable. I'm not attached to this house one bit, and really just want to hurry and sell it... but it really is a nice house, and would be a great place for Jarrod and I to live. (we're moving our stuff in today). It has way more space than we need, it's a very nice neighborhood with nice neighbors, it's in a great location for us... there is nothing negative about living there at all.

Then I'm reminded of God's sovereignty over all these things. Jarrod and I have tried to do so many things that had the door closed on us, and looking back at those things, we've realised how HORRIBLE those things would have been for us if they would have worked out. I am very guilty of trying to take the reigns and be in complete control of everything... and who I am I to think that I know best? Especially when it's been proved to me over and over and over and over that my ideas aren't always great, and that God's plan and timing are perfect. I am in awe sometimes when I think about God's provision in my life. No matter how many hair-brained ideas I have, the good ones always work out, and the bad ones never have an opportunity to. Now, that's not to say that God only has a plan to succeed in this business or personal finances, and that if I "let go and let God" I will become rich and successful. I just need a reminder now and then that God has promised me food and clothing, and anything beyond that is extra. So no matter what happens with this house, whether it goes exactly how i plan for it to go or whether we lose money on it, God is in control. I submit to his complete Sovereignty over this endeavor, and will praise him if it is successful, and I will praise him if it's a bust.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:25-33

This is a familiar to just about everyone. It's a simple lesson... however a passage that is so difficult to keep in the front of your mind in the middle of life's circumstances. How much easier would life be if we could all remember this and put it into practice everyday? No more worries, no more greed..

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm proud of you, Stef, thanks for the post

GloryandGrace said...

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding..."

I'm praying for you during this simultaneously exciting and nervous time. I was really encouraged by this post. Love you!

jennypen said...

I really needed to read this today. Your faith and strength in your scary time is uplifting and reminds me to have hope in mine. Thank you for sharing.

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