“But if not…”

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Daniel 3:17, 18

Most of us have heard this story before. We know what happens in the end. We know God saves them and does a mighty work in the land. But this week as we have waited for some things to move along so we can get our belongings from the port, we’ve hit wall after wall. More and more details to be taken care of and every time we think we’re a little closer we find out we have even more to do. Two weeks from today we are expecting a little girl and every week that goes by I’m getting a little less patient. I keep thinking “lord you see this problem we have, you can take care of it any time, but now would be ideal for our situation!!! I’d love to have a bed for our baby girl when we bring her home!! And unpacking boxes with a newborn is just not on the top ten things to do while recovering…” But last night as I was a little down tired of being disconnected from the world as we are still waiting for Internet! Tired of waiting for everything, this story came to mind from my reading earlier in the week.
Verse 18 stood out. “But if not…” They were trusting God to take care of them but knew that it was Gods choice it was not guaranteed a good outcome. They were obedient and willing to sacrifice themselves no matter what. Their love and loyalty to God exceeded their own ideas of what they thought they deserved. They were willing even if God didn’t save them.
I know this is no sacrifice on our part. But the fact is as I look at our circumstances am I willing even if they don’t work out?
My loss is far less than theirs, that’s for sure. Do I trust and love The Lord enough to keep serving him and being loyal to him even when things don’t go our way?
It definitely puts things into perspective. We don’t do what we do because we know they’ll all work out, but because we love Him. No matter what the outcome He knows what’s best. As I’ve written this and sign off I face the fact that I wish I were spiritual enough to say “yes! But if not” and happily face tomorrow. As more and more bad news trickles in. I have to face facts it’s just not that easy. But remind myself we aren’t here because everything is going to work out perfectly. We’re here for Him. However things go, I will continue to remind myself of this story. True love is proven when it’s inconvenient.

Do I Doubt Him?

So we found the house we’ve been looking for, not too big not too small, just right! Great location, and great price. Even includes a beautiful 2 bedroom apartment for our friend/friends coming to work with us.
We thought about the possibility of a house like that but knew the chances of finding it would be pretty slim! So we just looked at anything close to what we might want.
We either missed the French abbreviation for additional apartment or it just didn’t say. We liked the house and then saw the apartment and knew it was a keeper. I was overwhelmed with how perfect this place was I couldn’t believe God in His goodness.
Then back to my Repunzel drama!

What if it’s not really true? What if it’s some kind of trick to make money off of us. Is it too good to be true? Will I be tortured for the entire month of May until we move in? This morning I woke up thinking about it and realized I am doubting His goodness! Satan wants me to be tortured by worry and fear when I could have complete peace being just thankful for a place he hand picked just perfect for us. So what if I’m right? And we don’t get this place, isn’t God always giving us abundantly above? He is sovereign He knows what we really need. So why do I doubt Him?

“Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer”

So as we wait for the contract and final decision as to what day we can move in, we pray The Lord gives us discernment and patience. And I will continue happily pinning all of my home ideas for this house! 😉

Change is Good

This move for us has been a change = uncomfortable transition. Even if it is good, or better than what we had. We went from going somewhere constantly, being with people all the time or in the car. To just the four of us with a house and a yard and lots of waiting time looking for a permanent place of our own. As I dreamt about this time when life would really be a little more normal. I never imagined all the struggles emotionally with just change in general. It caught all of us by surprise. We kind of all seemed to feel like “How do we do this being home thing?”. As we’ve gotten through some of our adjustment phase, we’re learning to really enjoy it. I’m now seeing the benefits and blessings of finally being able to spend real quality time with two of the most amazing children in all of the world.
They are learning to play together and use their imaginations. Which they haven’t really had time for the past 6 months or so, watching them truly enjoy each other again without needing a friend or cousin to make it fun has been so sweet. Building houses for snails, picking flowers, finding lemons, playing church. My heart is so full watching them.
This change has been just great, yes we miss our family, but being together with time to truly enjoy each new day and each gift from God has been so sweet. Worth the rough transition phase. Though we know there’s more to come. Life is full of changes and transitions, we have no choice but to adjust. I’m definitely learning change can be good especially when it’s of God.