Miracles by Design

I feel like the Israelites must have felt with the Egyptians threatening behind them and the Red Sea ahead. In order to pass through the sea, they had to move ahead even though it appeared that they would be in over their depth. Before they could see the sea open up in front of them, they had to put that first step in the water and walk step by step –  not according to their circumstances, but according to the leading of the Lord. They went as far as they could go on their own. When their human abilities proved inadequate for the challenge ahead, God opened the sea supernaturally. I serve the same God they served. Nothing is too hard for Him. He is aware of every breath I take

This afternoon, I have to go out to the new house and map out where the fence and the deck are to go. I could never do this without the firm assurance that God is with me. He alone is able and I will give Him all the glory, the honour and the praise for His loving kindness.

Well – it has been quite a day.
I felt that I was to go back out to take another look at the house today. In the process of doing so, I discovered that it was being shown three times today and there was at least one offer, probably two, going in on it!
I have looked at everything remotely suitable in the area and this is definitely the best possibility at the best price. I’m getting down to the wire time-wise and have to get something arranged!
But – what to do? I had offered a special price to my potential clients until tomorrow, as the bank required the down payment to be in the bank for 30 days. How could I put in an offer until I knew whether or not I had a down payment? But if I didn’t, I’d lose the house.
I went up on the hill and prayed about the situation and felt that I was to move ahead as far as I could go. I have to trust that God will supply.
So – I told my realtor that I wanted to put an offer in, conditional on getting my financing. Then, I called the bank and – believe it or not – they lowered the 30 day requirement to 15 or less, giving me more time to get the down payment together. My realtor was shocked!
When I looked at the house for the second time today, I thought it would be good if the backyard could be totally fenced for Lola. Since the owner (seller) was also the builder, I asked him if it might be possible to extend the back deck, which was quite small. He agreed to throw the fencing in and extend the deck!
So – the realtor drew up the offer and it has essentially been accepted. I’m requesting a July 26th closing and that’s the only thing in question (except for the down payment) because the owner was hoping for an August closing.
Lord willing, everything will be signed by tomorrow morning!!
I can hardly believe that we have progressed this far! It’s amazing.
Step by step – Jesus is walking me through this miracle!!

Well, it’s official – “my” little house on the lake has been sold – however – my realtor has come up with another excellent possibility, considerably less expensive but still perfect for my needs.

It’s a bit of a nail-biter, because this place just came on the market yesterday and has already had a showing to another potential buyer who is returning tomorrow for a second look. However, I can’t get anxious because I know God will make a way for the right place.

I also got a line on another potential rental today, but again – a dead end. I feel very strongly that I’m to buy anyway.

Things are getting exciting. It won’t be long before God shows His hand. Tomorrow is Thursday, followed by Friday when the funds need to be in the bank for the down payment.

People are getting nervous about this deadline I’ve set and I appreciate their concern because I know they are afraid I’ll be disappointed. I am so thankful for people who care.

Just to reassure everyone, here’s how it is:

God is my source. He knows that I have to move. I have given my life to Him totally and so He holds it in His hands. I am not afraid. I am not my own. God is my Father. He loves me and will look after me. I really don’t care how any of this works out as long as I know that God is with me and that I am in the center of His will. Sitting homeless on the sidewalk in Toronto (which I won’t be) with God beside me would be hugely preferable to living in a mansion out of His perfect will. And that’s how it is. I don’t care. My life is His life and He is free to do with it as He pleases. I’ve asked Him to supply me with a home, but if He has another plan, I’m there.

This is AMAZING!

Yesterday, I flipped my Bible open to Psalm 40 and read vs. 17 prior to reading the passage where I am in Isaiah. It said, “Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliver; O my God, do not delay.”

It resonated so deeply with me that I repeated it over several times out loud. I had just blogged about how  “I was thinking that I may be overestimating my value to God in supposing that He would even have me on His mind, let alone actually intervene in my life…” That blog was two days ago and this scripture really spoke to the issue of the Lord thinking of me, seeing my need but being my help and deliverer. Then the prayer of the psalmist was that God would not delay – also my prayer because I need to have the down payment in the bank by this weekend.

Now – are you ready for this????

I subscribe to a prophetic devotional called “Small Straws in a Soft Wind” by Marsha Burns. Today, her scripture was Psalms 70:5 “But I am poor and needy; make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.”

Coincidence? Not on your life. It’s a God-incidence. He is on it! He is with me. All I have to do is trust Him.

My realtor, Kim Weatherhead,  just called me with another house that has just come on the market. She thinks it is perfect for me but wanted me to go to see it right away because someone else is showing it at 11:30 this morning and she says it won’t last long. I told her that I can’t go because I have a deadline on a brochure for today and I wouldn’t be able to put an offer on anything until I have the down payment anyway.

However, she did say that the original house I wanted has still not been finalized. It was conditional on the buyer arranging financing. It is apparently 99% sure that they will get it – but God can work in 1% – or less!

All I know is that I am not anxious because God is in control. He holds my life in the palm of His hands and I can trust Him to make a way where there seems to be no way. Whether it is this home or a totally different one – whether I buy or rent – He has a home for Lola and me. 🙂

Today was a very special day – a milestone of sorts!

Four years ago, at the age of 60, my world exploded and, by the time the dust settled, I was left with nothing but memories and some “stuff.” I had to start life totally over at a time when my friends were winding down into retirement. With no source of income, I had to go back to school and develop a new career, so I chose graphic design. But who would hire a 60-year-old? With that realization, I started my own business from scratch. It has been extremely challenging. Only a couple of my closest friends know just how challenging it has been.

When all this business about moving came up, I simply assumed that I would be renting again, as I have been for the past four years – but when it became apparent that I needed to buy, I had grave doubts about meeting the bank’s qualifications for a mortgage. Nevertheless, I had to move forward, try the doors and trust God.

However – today I realize that I have turned the corner. The bank has pre-approved me for a mortgage, conditional on having a down payment. I’m amazed that I’ve qualified! To me, that’s a miracle in itself. I’m recovering from being ruined. I’ve walked out of devastation – hand in hand with Jesus. Today is a new day!!!! I just realized as I’m writing this – today really is a day of restoration. Had my marriage not been destroyed, it would have been my 42nd wedding anniversary. Instead of this being a day of regret, it’s a day of restoration! That is so wonderful!!!!! Thank you Lord.

By this weekend, I need to have the down payment in the bank. Will some of those quotes I’ve tendered generate positive responses? Or will the Lord reveal a different solution?

Stay tuned!

Today, I know that God is going to begin to speed things up. 

I shall know by the end of this week if He is going to put the pieces in place for a down payment. According to the bank requirements, the funds will have to be in my account for 30 days prior to closing. That means that I’ll have to have the cash in the bank by this weekend in order to close and move by the end of July.

With the quotations I have out, it is entirely possible. On the other hand, God may have an entirely different solution that brings even greater glory to Him.

On the way home tonite, I was thinking that I may be overestimating my value to God in supposing that He would even have me on His mind, let alone actually intervene in my life to the extent of providing a home for me.

However, I know those thoughts were not from God. His Word is filled with promises that guarantee His love for us individually and His desire to respond to our prayers. I’m just going to hang on to His leading.

Wednesday is my first free day to go house hunting again. With that in mind, I’ve booked an appointment with my realtor and we’ll see where that takes us.

I’m really not worried. There are those who think I should be worried, but I’m not. God has a plan. He will reveal it in His time!

We’re getting down to the wire! Just 40 days until the moving truck arrives!

I just arrived home from a conference and it would seem that I’d better buckle down to the task of finding a new home. 

Frankly, I have zero drive to get out there and scramble around looking. Am I in denial, simply not wanting to leave my cozy nest – or is this lack of motivation to search simply a down-deep knowledge that God has a plan and will reveal it in His perfect time? 

Prosperity preachers tell us to name whatever it is we want and “claim it in the Name of Jesus.” Frankly, that theology makes me rather ill because it usually seems to blossom out of a heart of greed. I know God wants to bless His children, but He’s not like an indulgent parent who simply can’t say no to a whining, selfish child. The world is littered with the fallout from broken dreams founded on a theology of self absorption.

And so is it wrong for me to ask God to supply a home for me? I need to look at my heart and examine my motivation. Does greed fill the dank corners? Does self- absorption overshadow my awareness of the needs of others? Am I expecting too much of God? Why don’t I just get out there and find a place to live the same way everybody else does? Forget about making this a big issue of God’s provision and just deal with it.

Sometimes I think I’m an idiot and there are probably those who would agree. 

On the other hand – if God wants to use this as an opportunity to reveal His glory, love and grace once again, how do I dare take matters into my own hands and exclude Him from the process?