When You Understand Why God Said No: Hope in the Wait

Back in November I shared my adult tantrum. A 20-something year old not getting what she wanted. Silly, I know. You know it happens to all of us! We were in the midst of house hunting after selling our little town home. We saw several houses we liked and within our budget, but for one reason or another it didn't work out or feel quite right. God's answer was "No. This one isn't for you" over and over again.

Though I stomped my feet a bit and admittedly even shed a few tears over, I knew underneath my disappointment that God had our best interest in mind. He could see the big picture where I couldn't. And, oh, how He proved faithful as always He has in the past. And truthfully, I'm grateful He said no then because now....

Now I'm sitting here in our new home, officially owners of it for over 3 months now. This home checks off nearly everything we had listed as our dream home:

• The office I'm sitting in-- dedicated to my own books and a space to write.

• A fenced in back yard with a play structure for the kids.

• Large kitchen (because with 4 kids I'm in there 90% of my day feeding them!)

• Mark has his man cave to unwind and finally put out all his sports memorabilia.

• The kids have their own bedrooms when they decide they don't want to share anymore (aw-- they do love each other!)

• A playroom to corral the toys, games, and puzzles out of momma's sight.

Yes, the Lord knew our vision of wanting to find our forever home and met every need and every want beyond what we dreamed. The silly little wants I had like a garden tub in the master bathroom (you never know, there could be a #5 born in there one day!) and a deep kitchen sink with a pretty faucet to enjoy (well...as best as I can) washing our endless dishes in. A laundry room to keep our kitty's food and litter in. He met them all and beyond. And the neighborhood! Oh man, it is the cherry on top. It is family friendly in a good school district, a pool complete with water slides. Water slides, y'all! Plus a playground, basketball courts for sports loving hubby, tennis courts, volley ball...and get this...story time every other week for my littles.  We have met neighbors with kind hearts and kids to play with. I am blown away by His goodness. His provision. His vision. His vision was far greater than our own.

I don't share all this to brag, I share this to give hope. Hope that if the Lord has put a vision in your heart or a promise felt to the depths of your core as He did for me, He will make a way for it (someone please remind me of this when I start sending my book proposal out this year...).  I truthfully never thought we would financially move out of our town home, I didn't see how. I couldn't see beyond where we were, but He could. Despite not seeing how, I still felt He would make way when it was time. There were 2 years we tried to open those doors ourselves to move and He quickly shut them. It wasn't time. But again, I'm glad.

If right now the Lord is saying, "No" or "Wait"-- trust it. It's okay to be disappointed that it isn't time or isn't what you want...but it will come. And when it does you will understand why and it will be good. Hindsight is 20/20, right? You will feel humbly blessed, undeserved of His goodness (that's what grace is all about!), and glad that you waited for His best. Thank you, Lord.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

One verse that has carried me through a few waiting trials:

James 5:7-8  Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.  You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

P. S. If paint before and afters or DIY decorating makes you happy like it does me , head on over to The Grace Bond's instagram or Facebook for new house updates! I'm over there more often anyway ;-)