Dave and I were enjoying a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Hawaii last Sunday. I checked my phone after waking up from a nap and noticed I had a missed call and voice mail from my realtor. I thought it was just him calling to touch base with me about my house and how things were going at his end. I checked the voice mail and to my shock, excitement, and relief someone had made an offer on my house. It is such a blessing to be in God’s grace. My house has been on the market for almost a year. That means Dave and I have been making two house payments since then.
We both have been trying to live out Romans 12:12 lives. “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.”
It hasn't been easy. I know there is a lot that could go wrong before the closing date. Still I will forever rejoice in the Lord and give thanks to Him for everything…good or bad.
“Rejoice in hope”
Have peace in knowing that God will do what He says He will do for you. One of God’s many promises is found in Jeremiah 29:11. He wants to give us a future and hope. Put your hope in the Lord. He will provide the perfect future for His will for you.
“Be patient in affliction”
Trails are God’s lessons. Sometimes it is something little like trying to sell a house, and sometimes it is something as devastating as the loss of a loved one too soon. James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it GREAT joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
I am a teacher myself. With that come tests. One cannot learn if he/she is not growing through the measurement of tests. An exam (trial) helps you to evaluate where you are, what you know, and what you still need to learn.
“Be persistent in prayer”
Prayer-it is your time to be alone with God. Even if you are praying with someone else or in front of a whole church, it is you talking to your heavenly Father. Prayer is so powerful. It is so intimate. The Holy Spirit works through it. People can be changed by it. Lives can be fulfilled through it. God’s presence can be so real when you speak to Him through prayer. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your prayer be known to God. God tells us to not get anxious (Don’t take things into your own hands.) just pray!
