I imagine that I’ve mentioned (at least once) before today that we are selling our (second) home in the northern part of our state.  It is a beautiful, custom home that we built several years ago.   It truly was a dream come true for us and we have enjoyed every minute of the time we’ve been able to spend there.   As we move closer to our retirement years and the execution of a well-thought out retirement plan, we decided that the money we spend on our second home, in the gorgeous golf community that we live in, would be much better spent on other things.    So, last November, we put in on the market.

You’re probably already thinking… November?   It’s almost July now and it hasn’t sold?  Not yet and yes, that makes it about seven months on the market.  Before you start to wonder too much, we believe it is priced correctly.   It is in nearly new condition and to build the same home now would cost quite a bit more per square foot.  It has a picturesque view of our golf course lined with pine trees.  The floor plan is spacious and flexible for various types of families and lifestyles, and did I mention it has a custom wine cellar?   Yet, no buyer.

Interestingly, my sister also followed through on her retirement plan this past year and sold her custom home.  She spent over a year on the same journey of prayer, hope and anticipation.   She had quite a few people come through her house and always complimented them on what a beautiful home they had designed and built.  Yet, month after month there was no buyer.    Early in the process, a younger couple walked through my sister’s home and fell in love with it.  There was only one problem – it was out of their price range.   Not thinking much about it, my sister and brother-in-law continued to wait and pray.

Many months went buy and over that time, they lowered the price on their home.   And at one quite magic moment, guess who came back to look at their house?  Yes, that very same young couple.  And this time they bought it!    The rest of the story is what is most important…

I told you how fervently my sister had been praying for her house to sell.   Her realtor told her that when the couple realized they would be able to purchase the home of their dreams, they also shared with her how much they too had been praying for this to happen.    My sister still gets tears in her eyes when she tells this story.

How many times have we heard that God’s timing is perfect?  It’s never early and it will never be late.  We’ve also heard patience is a virtue, but in today’s want-it, get-it now world, patience can also be one of the last things we spend time working on.

I love this paraphrase of Psalm 37:7

Have you ever considered that the amount of patience we have is a reflection of the trust we have in God’s timing?  [Ouch, sorry].

One of the most beloved verses in the Bible says:

“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint”   Isaiash 40:31 

Might it also be that we lack patience because we don’t think God understands our situation?   Have you ever prayed, “God, please, you don’t understand… I (need/want) because…”    When we take that important step back and realize what we are saying, we are undoubtedly reminded that God knows exactly where we are in our lives, yesterday, today, this very minute and even tomorrow.

So, as I’ve been sharing my thoughts, wondering with anticipation when our house might sell, my sister so very lovingly reminds me that first and foremost God’s timing is perfect and, that our house won’t sell until the family who has been praying for a new home just like ours prayers are answered as well.   Somehow I need to be reminded again, that this world isn’t just about me and my wants and desires, but the desires of God’s heart and for all of His people.  So, I wait… patiently… for that one very special couple, that just-perfect family to walk through our doors and with tears in their eyes, say our prayers have been answered!

Whatever it is you’ve been praying for, please know that God’s initial answer to your prayer may be to wait for a time before he gives you your answer or your desires.  We can be at peace during this time and anticipate a wonderful celebration, as every gift that comes from God is worth waiting for!

I’ve been a fan of Steven Curtis Chapman for many years.   His song, “Be Still and Know” is a beautiful reminder to us of how important it is to be still in our waiting, but to also know that He is faithful.   Consider all that He has done and stand in awe and be amazed.   Be still…  and know that He is God.

This is a simple, yet moving acoustic version of this song I wanted to share with you today.

https://youtu.be/L3cKULOBMEk