Character Confession: When God Says No and You Say Thanks

We are on the verge of a move.

Well, we hope we are.

After 9 years in the same location, we believe God is setting us up for a change. Not out of the area, but when we moved to Ohio, we knew no one. We told our real estate agent to put us close to the Christian school our then first-grader was enrolled in. Why? It was the only place we knew how to get to.

Fast forward and we know the area. We moved to the house in a state of grief and loss that after all these years, I still can’t put into adequate words. We made concessions just to be together as a family again. And now our kids are older, we’re older. We want something more suited to us, and I believe God also has a plan for us, perhaps to engage in a new way with new people.

We’ve updated and cleaned the house to where we’re nearly ready to find a realtor and move forward. Although we need our house for sale with some solid interest before buying the next, we’ve been looking and praying.

And we found one, online at least, that looks like a dream.

It’s in a neighborhood we like. Close to the places we visit often. With the space we need.

I admit, I even drove by. Would it look as nice in person?

Why yes, yes it did.

We stopped short of setting up an appointment. We know it isn’t time. And my husband admitted he can’t bear the thought of seeing the place, probably loving it, and knowing he can’t have it.

Or worse, realizing somewhere in the process it wasn’t meant for us to have.

He asked if I would feel the same way.

And I said no.

As good as that house looks, and if the inside is as nice as the pictures appear, if it’s not meant for us, I’ve grown to appreciate God’s plan.

If that isn’t it and that’s so nice, I can’t wait to see what IS meant for us.

I learned this as a new young woman in faith. There was a time I thought this one guy was going to be the one. He was a person with similar faith. He treated people right. He was kind. Funny. All the things a girl looks for.

But it became clear, he wasn’t it.

And I didn’t shed one tear. It was the strangest thing. I thought I’d be devastated.

Instead, I remember driving home and thanking God.

“If he’s all those good things and not it, then I thank You in advance for what You do have for me.”

Three months later the man who would be my husband walked into my life.

And 17 years later, I’m happy it worked the way it did.

So, if this dream house isn’t meant for us. It will sting, but it won’t stop us. Because that one isn’t it, we trust God has something even better for us. Even if nothing moves forward and we stay exactly where we are.

May you be able to speak thanks, especially when you face disappointment.

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