Saturday, November 8, 2008

The Greatest Place on Earth


Does anything compare to taking your 2 1/2 year old to Disney world for the first time? Only if you've had a house on the market for six years and get the call that there's a legitimate offer on it! We were already having a wonderful day despite the 93 degree temp. watching Ruby ride her first rides, meet Disney characters with no fear, and just basically get anything she wanted! It does make you feel like a kid all over again, what could be better? God's timing amazes me- the last thing I was thinking about that day was the burden of the house, for once. However, for the few weeks since school started (this was mid-September) I had carried this hopeless feeling- I had told myself that after the remodeling of the house, if the house didn't sell by the time school started in the fall, we had to realistically look at life with this until we paid it off. Once again, I'm ashamed of my weak faith, I called it "being realistic." And add on to that the "reality" of the bad housing market, and for anyone looking at it they may agree with me. But then God...(doesn't the Bible often change directions in a story with that phrase a lot! I love it). As of yesterday we mailed off the money, the paperwork, everything so that the deal on the house will close Monday morning. That same morning I will also start a new job that God provided for me as well, but we'll save that amazing blessing for another post. Last night we celebrated and as odd as this may sound while I am thankful beyond what I can express I do fight the urge to wallow in the guilt of not having believed. I knew God could sell the house, but for six years He chose not to. And while He did use this to teach me valuable lessons, Satan, the accuser, wants me to believe that I did something to stand in the way of God doing this for me, if I this then God that. And so he also wants to take away the joy of experiencing God's great blessing at this time- all of which takes my eyes off "Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.. to HIM be the glory" (Eph. 3:20). It's not about me, it's about Him, and I want to be sure He gets the glory, for the sale of the house, for His faithfulness over the past six years, and for His mercy, patience, compassion, and boundless love!

4 comments:

asnipofgoodness said...

Amen to that girl!!! We rejoice with you, and God reveals once again just how in control he is!! Know that those watching have been encouraged by your faith and faithfullness in this 6 year "ordeal"! You have stood strong, and done the hard thing, and pressed on toward the goal, while others faltered. God is smiling down on you and your sweet family, not because you passed some cosmic test, but because he loves you! I do too!!!

Wynne Family said...

Praise the Lord, Hannah! That is such an encouraging post!

Crystal said...

What a relief! I'm so excited for ya'll, and Disney world too!

Anonymous said...

I am so proud of you - you have stood strong strong, even though you see all the times you have faltered, we see endurance, strength, joy, and faith in everyday living! God has used this in our lives and we stand stronger today because of it! We love you so much!