I am back in Florida. We drove up to the North Carolina Mountains last weekend. We’ve been busy with our dream of a cabin home in the mountains. God is taking dream action on our behalf.
This is one reason why I haven’t posted in the past eleven days! There was a little writer’s block, distractions, and fatigue. There’s been a lot of prayers, learning and traveling. God has been on the move and the path ahead is opening up for us. I not only can see the Light God shines on the shadowed path, I now see bright blue skies and green pastures ahead (Psalms 23).
The causality was my writing. I’ve not written much in the last eleven days. I didn’t work on either book or complete a blog post. Sitting at the computer to write almost every day was frustrating. Some days I stared at a blank screen until I was called away, usually fifteen minutes later. Other days I wrote, but it was so disjointed I had to shelve those posts.
I loved being back in the mountains. We had a heat wave with highs in the low eighties. But waking up to the low fifties in the morning invigorated this mountain girl living in a beach town. I found the color of green at springtime in the mountains amazing. From the trees to the grass the colors were shades of new green growth. I cannot even capture the rich jewel-like quality of the color.
Until now, I didn’t want to say too much about the property search we started in March (See my post: Mountain Road Trip). I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I trusted God to give us wisdom. If it was not right, I asked him to show us the flaws. I leaned on His promise to me:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. [Jeremiah 29:11 NIV]
In March, we intended to get information on available vacant land. On the drive up I asked God, “How will I know what is the right property for us?” Only one thought passed through my mind over and over, “You will know it when you see it. Just like your husband.”
I remembered how my husband and I became a couple. After several years of disastrous dating and one failed engagement, I asked God for what I wanted in a mate.
At the time, I wasn’t as close to God. But, I was sure God wanted me to find the mate He chose for me. I wrote a list of what I wanted in a partner. Then I took the list to God in prayer.
The list is long gone. After so many years I don’t remember everything on the list but the basics were I needed someone who:
- believes in God and Jesus Christ;
- would love me for me; and
- be committed to marriage and family
Several months after writing the list, and praying over it, I met my husband. In November, we will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. It will also be our 32nd anniversary of the day we met.
In March, I fell in love with one of the first properties we visited. We walked up the wooded driveway to a clearing. I turned 360 degrees. When I turned back towards my husband, he was watching me. I had tears in my eyes. I said in a hushed tone, “This is where the cabin goes. This. Is. Where. The. Cabin. Goes.” My eyes turned upwards seeking the clear blue sky through the branches and leaves of the old-growth trees. I just knew it was the land. It was the same way when I met my husband. I can’t explain it, but I knew he was the one.
That doesn’t mean we didn’t question it. The price was over what we intended to pay. We looked at about twelve more properties. It came down to two. This one is the one we liked the best. We prayed on it, hoped there was room for negotiation, and slept on it. Still unsure we talked to our realtor. After going over the details, we dove in and made an offer.
We closed on the property this past week. Purchasing a property takes attention and work. The sellers, realtors, professionals, and even the Health Department worked with us to get everything in order. The perk test and survey went right down to the wire. Literally, the wire transfer went through the afternoon before the closing! I am giving heartfelt thanks to God for his timing and his provision. And to my dad, I would say, “I miss you a lot and I thank you for providing an inheritance for me.
God hasn’t finished yet. On our way home on Thursday, our realtor in Florida was working on getting dad’s property up for sale. She got a call from someone interested in the property before it hits the market. Well after phone calls and running errands there is a solid offer on dad’s property.
By the end of June, we may have the money we need to build the infrastructure and the cabin this year. So what does my husband say yesterday as he was running out the door for a week at camp school? “You need to draw up some plans for what you want in that cabin…” Say what!?
Here is what I learned in the last few months. We wait on the Lord because when the timing is right… He moves! And Ms. Milly’s gotta run to keep up!
Waiting on the Lord is hard. Take it one day at a time. One hour at a time if you need it. I remember long days I took steps one minute at a time. If you need that take it. It is easy to see God’s miracles when it is time for swift movement. When I look back at the times I struggled, I can see the tiny miracles that got me through the day. He has miracles you too. Seek Him and you will find what He has already done for you.
God bless you today; and
Happy Memorial Day Y’all!
I am sending a big THANK YOU to our service members, past and present. I also thank those that support our military both at home and at work. We honor the sacrifices you make and have made for us to live in freedom.
Milly
P.S: Enjoy the sounds of the wind in the woods in May
Milly Really! 