Well….here I am God, humbly coming before you and praying for this house I want to rent because it’s just “perfect” for what I need. So, ok, it’s already got a washer/dryer and I love my washer/dryer, but I can part with those. There’s no fireplace, but that’s ok….maybe someday down the road. It’s an electric stove and I so prefer gas, but that’s ok. The fridge doesn’t have a water and ice dispenser in the door, but…I know how to make ice cubes old school. These are just things I would like, not things I need to survive but otherwise this house will be perfect.
Next morning came and no paperwork from the man who promised he would send it via e-mail by now. Had he sent it, I would have filled it out, sent it back and not bothered to look at any other homes I had scheduled for viewing. So I went back out to look at the house I made an appointment to look at first thing this morning. Not so good, smelled pretty funky, and on a busy road, but I suppose I could make it work. I fill out the paperwork, a little disheartened, but knowing God will come through with what I need. What’s that creeping into my thoughts?? Oh, yea, this might be the best I deserve given what I’ve done. No, no, that’s not a godly thought at all, that’s the enemy. But, I can’t quite shake that nasty little thought. So before I head out to the afternoon appointments, I get quiet with God and I give up the idea of the “perfect” house I thought was the one for me, since, I still didn’t have the paperwork in my in-box. I tell God that I’m ok with the “perfect” house not coming through and I’m ready to accept the house He has in mind for me and I thank Him for going before me and doing what He does best and that’s take care of me. No matter the outcome I know it’ll be ok.
The phone rings and it’s about another house I had called on but I had called on so many, I was confused at which one it could be. So I agree to see this house after the two I already have scheduled. And hey, I think I may have just gotten a part-time job in talking with this guy. Cool. When he asked if I knew where the house was, I said I would just plug the address into my GPS when I was ready to head over.
The first two houses were ok, they both had their pros and cons but I knew they weren’t for me. I tell the Realtor who was showing me the houses why I couldn’t buy just yet and that for sure I did not want to live on the South side again. She promises to stay in touch and we will keep looking.
Plug the next address into Sadie (that’s my GPS) and I start to drive. Hmmm….this would appear to be taking me to the South side. Didn’t I just get done saying, I didn’t want to live on the South side? I keep driving and on the way there, I see the public swimming pool I loved to go to growing up. That is, until that time I was going up the ladder and those girls pulled my bikini bottoms down for my oh-so-white butt to be viewed by all. I was mortified, I ran from the pool crying my heart out. As I ran off, I heard them laughing and I hoped they weren’t planning on following me into the locker room. Luckily, I got out of there without anymore trauma.
I get to my destination and wait for the guy to come show me the house. I was early so as I sat waiting, I thought about that day at the pool and the other times those same girls bullied me. I wondered what became of them and what made them think what they did was funny? I wonder if they ever thought to consider what it was they put me through. I wonder what made me their target. I may never know the answers to that, but I knew for sure I didn’t want to drive past that pool every day. Who wants to deal with that kind of crap? I may not have wanted to deal with it, but God did. He loves us so much, there is not one hurt you have that He doesn’t want to replace with goodness and love.
My thoughts were interrupted when the homeowner showed up. We get out of our vehicles and we introduce ourselves and shake hands. Then this man looks at me, leans back and starts repeating my name over and over again. I’m thinking…”dude, what’s up with you?” And he’s like Trish (I get it, you know my name), it’s me….Mark (name changed) and in an instant I know exactly who it is; we went to school most of our lives together, but we didn’t hang in the same crowds. So we laugh, and we hug and the rest of the time I’m just shaking my head and he talked about the house and I’m pretty sure I heard most of it, but I was just too floored by what God had just done.
The house that I thought was “perfect” now paled in comparison to the house God had in store for me—totally redone inside and out. New carpet, new flooring, a gas stove, a real-wood burning fireplace, a gas hook-up for my dryer, and a fridge with an ice maker and water dispenser in the door; just like the one I left behind in AK, minus the stainless steel exterior. In one room the walls were painted purple…hello, new craft room. Did I mention the color of my current curtains in my craft room is purple? God wink!! It’s located on a quiet dead-end street with a nice big, back yard for Gabby gurl to romp around where we can play fetch. Not one little detail did God miss; a brand new existing home, for a brand new existing woman beginning a new chapter in her life. And as if that wasn’t enough, I got to reconnect with an old classmate, AND I got a part-time job.
Beauty from ashes my friends, and you can best believe this is yet another wound God is binding up and healing!! God doesn’t want us to just survive in this world. He put us here to thrive no matter our circumstances. Being thankful everyday and praising Him for everything is the only way to live. He is with us every step of the way; we need only open ourselves to what He wants for us. Are you ready for what He wants to do for you? Are you ready to have your life forever changed? Don’t get me wrong, God didn’t promise every day would be without trials, only that He will use the bad for good. When He works in our lives we give Him all the glory and spread the word by being witness to His faithfulness, grace, and mercy. We need God and He created us to be dependent on Him so that we could experience the unconditional love He has for us and in turn, we can share it with one another. Now, who wants to help me pack and move?? Anyone?
Blessed to be Broken 
If I were closer…I’d bring the pumpkin pie white hot chocolate…;) and help you pack and unpack! What a great testimony of God’s love for you! Beautiful!
Mmmmm…I don’t even have to see the pix of the drink, the name even sounds amazing. Thanks Diana!! Love ya sister 🙂