Hello all!
As has been the norm for me lately, a lot has happened the last 2 weeks. The highs and lows have been quite extreme, but through it all, I believe the Lord is teaching me through my experiences.
Last blog I shared with you how I found a buyer for my house and accepted their full price offer. I was so excited! After going through the inspection process, the buyer requested a lengthy list of repairs. A few of the repairs were valid, but half of them made no sense at all. I was not happy, but willing to negotiate and do most of the repairs asked. My realtor notified the buyer’s agent on a Thursday evening. I woke up with fear in my spirit all night, wondering about my decision. Did I offer enough? I hadn’t experienced this type of unease in a while regarding a decision, so I contacted my realtor first thing the next morning. When she replied back, she advised the buyer decided to pull the offer. I was devastated! I would now have to start all over again, so many questions ran through my mind and to top it off, I had to give my testimony to the women’s group at church the next day. I was so disappointed, but there was nothing I could do.
My son’s team was also playing their last regular season game that evening against their division rival for the conference title. They beat the opposing team the first time they played, so our team had high expectations! However, we lost the game. That was disappointing too. I prayed to God that night, acknowledging my disappointments. I told God I still loved Him and would serve him, despite not understanding the challenges of the day. I thanked him for all the great things he had still done. After that I set out to prepare for my testimony I’d be giving to the women’s group the next day.
I arose early the next morning and all the notes I prepared went out the window as I felt led to tell my entire relationship testimony. The good, bad and ugly parts of it. I sure didn’t plan on going that direction as I didn’t want to air all my dirty laundry even though I have changed from the woman I once was. However, I was afraid. What if people would judge me or look at me differently? I shut that voice up and set out to speak. I felt such peace and freedom while delivering the message. I didn’t care what anyone thought anymore. I was going to be free from all the guilt and shame associated with the mistakes I made in my relationship. The testimony resonated with so many women! I couldn’t believe it! God used me to speak to other women. It encouraged them and it spoke to others to make some changes. That was one of the best experiences I ever had! I’ll never forget it.
Fast forward to the following Tuesday night, which was four days after I found out the initial buyer pulled out, my realtor sent me a text around 10pm advising an offer was coming in. That’s a late hour for an offer, but I was excited for another offer! The offer came in a little under asking price, but it was a full cash offer with closing cost paid by the buyer. This was awesome! To make matters better, my realtor advised she was going to ask for full price just to see what the buyer would do. They accepted! I went from an FHA offer to a full cash offer! Two totally different ends of the spectrum. I’m not knocking FHA loans, but a cash offer simply doesn’t require financing or a FHA specific inspection. This is an even better offer than the first! God is good!
As I write this blog today I’m in a waiting period. They buyer’s inspection was yesterday and the appraisal was earlier this morning. I haven’t heard back. I also have looked at four rental places to move to after closing but I just haven’t found the right place yet. The closing day is set for exactly 20 days from today. I am also still looking for my full time permanent job. The Lord has blessed me with a temporary full time role, but I really need to find a permanent role soon for the health benefits. Lastly, my son and his team play that same team they lost to in the conference championship two nights from today. This time they’re playing to go to the state tournament in which they would then play at the Target Center! It’s a big deal!
There are so many different things going on right now that today I really wanted to begin worrying. I then listened to a sermon speaking on Philippians 4:6 which says, “Be anxious for nothing, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” I really needed to hear that today as my stomach had begun turning in knots. I have to believe every word of that scripture. I know I’m doing all I can do, so I’m now having to trust God to do what only he can do. There are two other verses he has given to me to chew on at this very moment in the silence and uncertainty of the day. The first is Psalm 46:10 that says, “Be still and know that I am God”. The second is Psalm 121: 1-2 which says, “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth”.
It would be much easier for me to go into a full blown panic right now! My flesh certainly wants to, but my spirit is telling me God’s got me. He’s my provider and will take care of me. As one of my spiritual mentors once told me, “ It all comes down to your relationship with God. You either trust him or you don’t.” I choose to trust.
Until next time,
Felicia
Happiness in the Truth 