“Only for God in silence does my soul wait.” Psalm 62:1
It was as if the words leapt out of the book.
-sigh-
Reading again,
I felt so clearly the Lord’s understanding.
I had been reading Pastor Charles R. Swindoll’s book Three Steps Forward Two Steps Back.
The literal Hebrew sentence reads almost backwards from the English translation: “Only for God in silence does my soul wait.”
I knew.
That is what God was teaching me throughout these past weeks of uncertainty.
Then,
the waiting came to an end.
Tuesday, our plans were to drive to the valley with a stop in Eugene for my specialist appointment.
The whole family was coming so our daughter could pack our house while I was nearby with the baby to give advice or answer questions.
We had reached the point.
The decision was made.
We would prepare for moving,
even though we didn’t know
where we were going.
My appointment took longer than expected, but was a blessing.
When we finally arrived at our property we were all tired and hungry.
It was lovely to see my husband and middle daughter again.
The next day was full, as packing began in full swing and Anne had a doctor’s appointment.
Later that day my husband and I were able to chat about where God was leading.
Should we buy a house?
Was that a responsible choice when our property wasn’t ready to sell?
What was God’s will for us?
We needed a home, how should we proceed?
It became clear we should rent.
After some internet searching we found several which might work and one we were excited about.
I sent tour requests.
Answered email responses.
Was excited when the house we wanted offered a tour the next evening.
My husband and I would have to drive up and it meant I’d leave all the packing to our daughter, but I was wearing out quickly.
So, I emailed back we’d be there Thursday at 6:30.
During this our Bell had a meeting with the track coach.
Her summer has been full of disappointments when it came to her future at the college she had agreed to run track for.
By the time she was home from her trip she didn’t see any other options other than walking away from it and going to a different school.
When the coach requested meeting with us, there were some concerns.
What did God want for our Bell?
Could the issues be reconciled?
My husband went with her and I prayed.
When he called his voice was calm.
“They are signing her up for classes now. Everything has been taken care of.”
I had to take a deep breath.
“Well, praise God!”
He related the whole story.
I was stunned by the Lord’s provision.
I would have to pack the car and leave to meet him soon.
My emotions were all stirred up between stress, grief, and joy.
I hated leaving the house for our daughter to do while taking care of her five month old.
I was sad at leaving our middle girl behind.
I was overwhelmed by God’s grace and provision.
I was so thankful for everything God was giving us.
I was exhausted from it all.
So off we went to look at the house we hoped to call home.
After a long nap my attitude and emotions had all calmed.
We were going to be early so we could look at the neighborhood and get a feel for it all.
When we pulled up to where the navigation system said,
“You’ve arrived”.
We both just stared blankly.
“Uh, honey, it’s a duplex.”
My heart felt that something had gone wrong.
“Please check to make sure you got the address correct,” was his sensible reply.
I did.
It was.
“What are we going to do?”
I looked at him with concern.
Was God asking us to stretch?
Or was there something else He was doing?
My husband pulled the car farther down the street.
Our eyes met with a FOR RENT sign in the lawn of a different house.
This one a single family home.
My husband pulled up and parked.
Then he grabbed his phone.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m calling the number.”
I began praying.
We wanted God’s will and we needed to know what that was.
After he left a message he turned the car around and headed for our daughter and son-in-law’s house.
We were halfway there when the phone rang.
(Bluetooth is really nice!)
My husband answered and began to chat with the home owner.
As they talked the fact that our last rental was in the UK led to the information about why we were there.
It didn’t take long to discover the landlord is a strong believer.
As the conversation ended it was with hope.
We were to be shown the house that evening by the neighbor.
Our hearts were glad and thankful to the Lord for guiding.
I emailed the duplex and thanked them, but cancelled our tour.
We prayed again together before we headed back to tour the other house.
My heart tried to stay calm and quiet and wait for God to show us His will.
The neighbor was a welcoming gentleman and very personable.
The house was incredible.
Bigger and more than I would have ever imagined.
But it was our conversation with the neighbor which blessed us the most.
He invited us into his home to meet his wife.
Before we knew it we were seated in their living room chatting.
They both are strong believers.
With daughters near our youngest girl’s age.
Hospitality was poured out.
Love was abundant.
It was such a blessing.
At one point in the conversation she looked at me and said,
“We’ve been praying for a nice family with kids to move in.”
And God answered.
Both our prayers.
We moved in on Monday.
Praise God!
All the weeks of quiet waiting upon the Lord has culminated into so many answered prayers.
From the packing, to the loading, to the unloading (one of our friends from the valley drove all the way up here to help with the unloading) our son-in-law, his brother and friend showed up as well, and our oldest girl baked pizzas for everyone.
Even to the details of my furniture fitting.
It is so worth while.
All these weeks
quietly waiting
upon the Lord.
2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV — And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
patientlyhopeful 