Our house is on the market.
Again.
We live north of Atlanta in a lovely town but our only child, our daughter and her family, (read: grandkids) live in Nashville. More than anything, we want to move there and be close to our family.
Our business allows us to live anywhere which is a great blessing. And honestly the only reason we’re even in Georgia in the first place is because, after 20 years in Orlando, the call of grandchildren resounded deeply in our hearts. All you Mimi’s and Poppy’s know just what I’m talking about!
When we moved here three years ago, our daughter and her family were living in Georgia north of Atlanta. We decided it was time to move so, thankfully we found a great house we loved not too far from them and moved close to Franny and the grandkids and life was rosy.
For awhile.
However, after we were here a year, our daughter’s career called her back to Nashville. So last summer we decided it was time to move again and we began uncluttering our house and put it on the market.
And we waited.
And prayed.
Waited some more. Prayed extra hard.
We were certain we’d be moved by the holidays. No way it would take more than 6 months to sell our house, right? I mean, we prayed.
But, no.
Nothing. Zip, zero, nada.
So, we took our home off the market for the winter and just recently put it back on. No offers yet but the spring selling season is just getting started so we’re hopeful. 🙂
I’m naturally impatient. I’m a doer and a planner by nature and when I can neither do nor plan, it stresses the heck out of me.
But God has His unique ways of teaching us during the waiting seasons. He’ll will show us so much about our selfish motives and hearts but more importantly, He’ll use this time, if we allow Him, to draw us closer to Himself and reveal His heart to us.
I realize I’m waiting for something good, something positive. All I want is to be closer to my family and to be a part of my grandchildren’s lives. But I’m quite certain some of you might be waiting for indescribably hard, life-altering changes:
- The medical diagnosis.
- The divorce decree.
- The job offer to finally come through.
- The loved one to come back home alive and well.
I firmly believe, no matter what type of waiting season you’re in–whether for something good or something hard–developing these virtues will help.
1–Peace. This is hard for me to find when I’m waiting because, like I told you, I’m impatient. I get uber-frustrated when life doesn’t follow my plans. But I’ve learned to remind myself on the frustrating days, He knows. He cares. I love this scripture from Philippians in the New Living Translation of the bible:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
When I leave it in His hands, I can know His peace which will guard my heart and my mind. And I’ve found this scripture to be true time and time again.
2– Faith. If I truly believe God cares, then I must believe He is for me and for my highest good. How dare I not believe?
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
There’s a big reminder in this scripture, one I need to remember constantly and it’s this: it’s His purpose, not mine.
3– Obedience. As far as we can tell, Mike and I are in God’s will with this move. But, we’ve prayed many times through this waiting, “Lord if you have something else for us or you don’t want us to move, we will take our house off the market.” And we mean it! More than anything, I want to live a life marked by obedience. And sometimes it means not getting what we want. Those are hard seasons but the fruit–if we’re patient and trust in His wisdom–is always good. Every single time. Whatever my request of Him, whether or not He says yes or no, my only option is to submit and obey.
4– Courage. It takes courage to wait, especially in the hard times. When you’re waiting on a diagnosis for example, you need enormous courage to face your doctor and hear his report. I faced it once, years ago, when we heard the life altering and devastating news from our fertility doctor that we would never have more children. I was the woman who wanted five kids! I wrote about our experience here. It took everything in me to maintain my faith and find my way back to trusting God. It was a hard & scary time but He was patient with me and taught me deep lessons through the process. I learned some big lessons during that time. Sometimes His deepest mercy is in His hardest test.
5– Perseverance. Paul reminds us we are in a race. I’m determined to run it well no matter what. I want to, “…run and not grow weary, walk and not faint…” Isaiah 40:31. Sometimes the waiting is long, decades at times. Talk to the mother of a prodigal child or a wife who’s husband has been deployed for years overseas. Waiting is hard but in the waiting, we have the divine opportunity to draw closer to the Lord to learn His ways and hear His heart. Remember, our amazing God knows what it’s like to wait. He’s long-suffering, don’t forget. As much as possible, use your waiting season to grow in deep intimacy with the Lord.
6– He’s in the future. God knows precisely what’s coming and when. In fact, He’s getting it all set up, putting all the puzzle pieces in place. We can’t see what He’s doing and I think He likes it like that because it forces us to trust. Sometimes He’ll give us a hint or an inkling, a glimmer of the future to help us stay in the race!
7–Patience. Like I mentioned above, I’m naturally impatient so I know God uses times like this in my life to teach me how to wait. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit and clearly it’s one I need to work on. He’s faithful to give us the opportunities we need to grow good fruit! I like to believe God is deeply involved in getting the perfect house ready for us in Nashville and if He rushed it for us, it would be second best. I don’t want second best! It helps me to find contentment in the waiting.
8– Worship. No matter what happens, He is God and I am not. He named every star and He counts every hair on your head. Who else in your life would love you enough to count every hair on your head?? There’s only one way I can respond to a love like that and it’s to bow in worship. As I worship, I’m reminded who He is, who I am and how much He loves me.
I’m trying my best to remember all 8 of these attributes in my waiting season. My waiting is for something good so I have no excuse to not get through this time with grace. Still, I have to remind myself of these 8 virtues each and every day.
Because I’m naturally impatient 🙂
What are you waiting for? How can I pray for you in your waiting?
xoxo
Ricotta Cheesecake with Lemon & Raspberries
Love this post. Thank you! Such good reminders of what God wants from us while waiting.
Thank you Martha! Blessings 🙂
I love this … and I love you. And I miss you like crazy. Praying for you and Mike and knowing how hard the waiting is. Such wisdom in your words.
Thank you friend–I miss you too! Big hugs from Atlanta!
Beautiful words from a beautiful woman. Brad and I are now praying about some important next steps in our journey – steps that may include a new city. I’m praying for you right now!
Thank you so much Ronne! I’ll be praying for you & Brad too. The good thing is, God knows. Love you 🙂
Mom! This was so good and so needed today!
1) I am just like you! I am naturally a doer and a planner.
2) I want to bond with you on that porch before you move.
3) I feel like my life is in transition. I have gotten several prophetic words stating that. I feel it. God has opened many doors this past year that I couldn’t have opened myself. I am so grateful but I know that He has more.
4) I will be praying for God’s perfect timing and plan over this new season!
I LOVE you and miss you!!!!!!!
You’re the sweetest Karina and if not this porch for sure the Nashville porch! I’ll be praying for wisdom for you and patience in this time of transition. Transition is the hardest time but it comes right before everything changes. Love & miss you too! Hugs 🙂
As you know, Kate, Bill and I are walking a difficult journey as we deal with his cancer. We are currently waiting to learn complete results of his most recent Petscan. Bill is not as healthy as he was only a few months ago. His initial diagnosis gave him only 18 months survival and he is now in his SIXTH year! I am so grateful for these past unexpected five and one-half years–especially since Bill has done so remarkably well. We have known that this time would eventually come. It is difficult to remain hopeful for a miracle as Bill becomes weaker and weaker. BUT I am waiting for God to “Show Up and Show Off.” I am not good at waiting and accepting that the outcome is going to be good. I am constantly asking God to forgive me for my lack of total trust and repeatedly asking for more faith and real trust, regardless. You are such a beautiful blessing to our neighborhood and hate to see you leave but so understand the Grandchildren call on your heart. I love and appreciate you and will pray for you to remain in the center of God’s will always.
Thank you so much Carolyn. I’m continuing to pray for you and Bill and I know that no matter what, He has you both in the palms of His hands and He will never leave you or forsake you. You are an amazing, strong, Godly presence in so many lives and I know His plans for you are good! Love & hugs to you!
I would add two more things : acceptance and joy !
I am waiting on the Lord to get better… 4 years and 5 month since I have lost my health and my independance. My recovery is surprising the doctors and I am greatful for every small step… but it is so long…
I have been very sick with microscopic polyangites (even on my heart) and bad effects on hands and feet (peripheral polyneuropathy).
It is a fascinating walk with Christ ! I have only been well enough to read and study my bible for a year now. But it is worth it ! My cry to God is for acceptance, peace and joy… and it works ! He answers ! (I do have some hard days but very few !)
I love your story Nicole–not that you’ve had to suffer but in spite of suffering and in the midst of it, you’ve been able to press in to know Him better and to apprehend deep joy. What a powerful testimony my friend. I agree with you, acceptance & joy should be on the list! Thank you for sharing your story with us. I’m praying for a full recovery for you and an ever-deepening relationship with our great God. Blessings!!
Kate, such a great post!!! Thank you for your encouragment!! I am in a season of waiting, all my life all I have wanted is to be a wife and Mother!! All I have wanted from the time I was a little girl playing dolls!! Yet at 26 and 1/2 I am no where near that, it’s been over 2 years since I even had a date. Where I believe this is part of God’s plan for me waiting is so hard when I want it so much!
Denise–I’m glad it encouraged you! As I read your comment, I feel compelled to share a link to a post I wrote awhile back that I think might remind you that He wants so much more for you than you can even imagine. Maybe the future He has for you looks different than the one you’ve planned on. This post was inspired by a dream I had and maybe it’s for you. Here’s the link: http://wp.me/p3YKuj-1dD No matter what, He cares about your heart’s desires and He is with you in every moment of your waiting. Blessings!
Thank you so much Kate for sharing that post with me!! It truly is so good and something God has been working on me to believe and remember also!! 🙂
Oh, I’m so glad Denise. Have a wonderful Easter!
love this post…waiting is really hard…especially if there’s silence in the waiting. but there’s also listening in the waiting…to hear the birds sing…which is what i miss when i’m busy doing. thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome Mary. I too love to hear the birds! Imagine what we’d miss if we were too busy to stop and listen! Blessings 🙂
Kate. My parents went throught the same cycle you did. Pulled house off market, put it back and waited a long time. Then out of nowhere a showing – offer – buyer. They prayed. Wondered if they were meant to stay put. I have been praying for you since you last shared you had put the house back up for sale. I am asking God to share your home opportunity with someone he is directing to Atlanta. May one day soon you turn your head and find yourself in Nasville.
I appreciate that more than you know Clark. We are trusting the Lord and we know His timing is perfect but all the same, we are eager to move and be closer to Franny and the grandkids. Thank you so much for praying. God bless you! And Happy Easter 🙂
I love this Kate!
We are in the same boat and trying to learn all we can in the waiting! Thank you for sharing xxx
You’re welcome Kathy–Hugs!
This morning I listened to Joyce Meyer talking about HOPE !
I think I must add it on my list !
http://www.joycemeyer.org/broadcasthome.aspx
By the way… we learned the hard way selling our house… It took three years with us living in a new house still to be finished. (our house was too small for our family of 7)
We finally sold it but for a bad price. And we were missing a good amount of money to get clear of debt. Bang ! My husband was made redundant…
It sounded terrible,(with 5 young kiddos). But in the middle of that, he got an indenisation
that covered the missing amount. I remember being utterly amazed and so greatful..; I told my friend and was even more amazed by her answer : “you have a really mean God !”
I must say I stayed speachless…
We fellt blessed… Even if we had 4 years of walking in the desert before my husband found a great job !
As I write all this doesn’t sound a very exciting life. But when we look back, we see God’s presence in it. 🙂
I pray that you get to sell quickly and well ! 🙂
Thank you Nicole! Wow, it sounds like you and your husband really went through it but God sometimes allows in His wisdom what He could prevent in His power to bring us to a deep place in Him. Blessings to you 🙂
We have had three miscarriages this past year and just found out we are pregnant with twins. We feel this is God’s direct response to our cries, yet we wait each day with a mixture of hope and fear as to whether we will welcome these little ones into our family or not. Thank you for practical steps to help us wait each day, I cling to these things.
Oh Katherine, I am praying for you. Hold on to hope and know, no matter what comes, God is good and He is for you. I’m believing for a healthy, full-term pregnancy for you. Hang in there mama, He’s got you! Hugs!
I can totally relate and needed to read this today! Thanks so much. Our home has been on the market almost two months with a couple second showings and still no offer.My husband had a wonderful job opportunity come his way and we have been living apart to make sure the job was a good fit and now our children and I are eager to join him and be a family again! I know God has a plan and things will happen when they are supposed to but waiting is so hard. God bless you and your family, will Pray who get an awesome offer soon as well!
Dara–Thank you for your prayers! I’m praying your house sells soon too so you can all be together again. That can’t be easy but God has a plan and your children are seeing you walking in trust, which is a really good thing! Blessings to you!
I am 38 weeks pregnant, waiting so impatiently for my sweet first child to join us in the outside world. I am sore and uncomfortable. My hormones and fatigue have me ready to cry over everything. I’m tired of worrying about a child I can’t see or hold. When he isn’t moving, I freak out until he does. I am so ready to have him in my arms, where I can see he is fine!
Sweet Lynsey–I’m praying God gives you deep peace as you wait for your precious baby to arrive! Here’s one of my favorite scriptures, one that might help you as you wait. It’s from Philippians 4:6-7: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
This is such good advice as worry doesn’t bare any good fruit. Try to just hang in there and let it all happen as God has it planned. It’s going to be wonderful! Blessings to you!
Thank you for this, Kate. I stumbled across your blog today and I think I have read it before once long ago. As I write this tears are streaming down my face reading your posts of being content with an only child. We have one son who is eight years old and the absolute love of our life. He is perfect in every way, or as perfect as children can get! We have struggled with infertility for 11 years. We have done IVF multiple times and I have gotten pregnant once on my own which ended and a miscarriage. We have thought about adoption, but neither of us have felt a clear call. There are not multiple times in the day that I do not think about our son growing up as an only child. Even all these years later the pain is not any easier. I just never in a million years thought that I would end up with an only child. He is an absolute joy and we are so grateful to God for this immense blessing. But it doesn’t make the pain any less. And it seems to get harder each year as he grows up. Thank you for your blog post and I will continue to pray for clarity and contentment for both of us! Blessings to you!
Jane–I understand your struggle, I was the woman who wanted 5 kids but God had a different plan, one I didn’t accept for a long time. What I eventually learned is this: sometimes God allows in His wisdom what He could prevent with His power. He knew what I needed better than I did and He knows what you need too. It took me a long time to want God for who He is, not just what He could give me. Let your pain and your need drive you deeper into Him. He is so much better than any single thing we could ever look to and nothing will ever fulfill us the way He can. I’m praying He draws you close to His heart with His amazing love and that you’ll find all your satisfaction in Him. He has given you one child for a reason even if you can’t quite see it yet. I have the perspective of years and I promise you, it will all make sense eventually. Blessings to you sweet Jane 🙂
Thank you for sharing what God has given you clarity on. This reinforces encouragement in my life. Waiting on a new season in life despite whether that be exciting or terrifying is never easy. Especially when you WANT to trust God. So often we allow ourselves to be deceived in thinking that we’ve reached the end of our faith’s potential. And then… If we allow ourselves to take those lies captive… As we continue to hang on, God shows up and reaches down into the water just like with Peter and He pulls us back up where the sun is shining and the clouds have parted and every puzzle piece has been perfectly placed. He never has failed and never will! Truly ALL things will work to the good for those that love Him!
Dana–You are exactly right! He will NEVER fail us and although we don’t always understand His timing or reasons, the more we know Him the more we can trust Him. All things really DO work together for good. I’m so glad my words encouraged you and I know as you wait and trust you’ll see His hand as a new season begins. Hugs!
This is a really wonderful post. I love your honesty and all of your words here. I love reading the comments here too. I have been very ill for 21 years and have learned a great deal about waiting upon the Lord. Thank you for the great reminders here. I hope your house does sell because there’s nothing like those littles to make life worth living! (And I love your house and yard pics!)
Oh Natalie, thank you so much! I’m sure you’ve learned much about waiting in 21 years. I pray The Lord will bring you a deep revelation of His goodness & His grace and that His healing power will flood you head to toe. Blessings!