God Answers Prayers II

I thought this deserved a separate entry. The part deserving a separate entry is the part where God is involved, but first let me tell you that I am moving November 1st to a very nice retirement place. It's got 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, laundry room, living room, patio, and garage.

The second bedroom is very small and is really more of an office. Its got a sliding glass door to the patio just outside. It's small, but large enough and extremely nice quality.

But bottom-line, I need to get out of my current home by winter, as it is too much for me in my present and changing condition. In discussing with Dennis (the retirement homes owner), I was going to move into this last open duplex (really 4-plex) he had. It has steps and a deck. I really need no steps plus having a patio versus a deck works better for me on account of having a dog to have to let outside.

When I was discussing my options with Dennis, at one time he said that he had a lady that would be moving sometime and her place does not have any steps. At that time I said that I should just leave it to God and wait for her to move. I thought God could work out the timing of my place selling. Dennis could just notify me when the lady moves. Dennis said that it could take a month or it could take a year for her to be ready to move out. It depended on when her daughter's house sold. I felt like by taking the duplex with steps that I was perhaps trying to take things in my own hands rather than following God's guidance. I'd been praying for his guidance. It's scary sort of, committing to this move and paying double rent. But I do really need to get out of here.

My one sister who's buying the 5 acres is having delays due to meeting with a surveyor, etc. So the timing of getting the money for the 5 acres and this move is critical. If I don't close on the 5 acres in time, I'm left having to borrow money from my sons in the interim. But this puts them in a jam sort of. I just don't like doing that.

My sister and Dennis both encouraged me to take the duplex with the steps and that when a duplex with no steps came available, Dennis would let me have it. I agreed, but later worried rather I was trying to take too much in my own hands. Like when God promised Sarah and Abraham a son, but after 20-something years of waiting, Sarah took it into her own hands and had Hagar sleep with Abraham. Hagar had Ishmael. It turned out causing problems because instead of trusting God and leaving it up to Him to fulfil His promise in His timing and way, Sarah took over. Was I doing the same?

In my "Love to Pray" bible study, the verses represented on that day was Mark 11:22-24: "Have faith in God," Jesus answered... Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." One of the items in this day was to try a prayer of faith experiment. It said to read James 1:5 and it said to "..note that it reveals both the nature of God and a promise of God. If you are sure of God's nature as revealed in this verse and sure that God will deliver on his promise, ask for wisdom in connection with some practical issue you are facing right now. Believe without doubt that God will supply it. Thank him in advance for the wisdom he will provide. Keep asking and trusting until you receive the wisdom you asked for." So, with deep sincerity I read aloud James 1:5 and prayed that God would show me what to do about this duplex; that he would show me whether I should move or not and I asked him to make it obvious to me. That's how I need messages.

That very night Dennis called me. He said, "God must be looking out for you. That lady called me today and she is moving out October 15th." So, I get the duplex with no steps! If that is not an obvious message from God, I don't know what is!

It's all working out. I'm leaving the timing of the 5 acres closing plus the sell of my home up to God. I need to get back to praying and trusting, as I've been a bit distracted lately. God is so good. He answers prayers and he fulfills all of His promises. I know it's not a 'name it and claim it' sort of thing, but He is here for you. Of course, your requests must be His will.

I've got more thoughts to this, but I'm so tired. I started too late in writing this. But, I figure, this story of faith is enough. God is so good and faithful.