This 1 Corinthians 10:31 verse has obviously been edited, but holds the Truth of God. "Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God". It has been over one week since we got preapproved for a loan and the house search has been quite a consuming task! At first I thought we would just go out occasionally on the weekends and see one or two houses, but our realtor is quite aggressive and really wants to show us what's out there because houses get bought up so fast. (For example, we made a list of 6 houses to see on Saturday and by the time Sunday came around two were sold!!). We have been out searching from Sunday to Tuesday everyday and have seen about 12+ houses so far. We are thankful for Mike our realtor and his ministry mindset as he regularly helps seminarians find houses that will be easy to sell at profit in a few years. Nonetheless, house hunting has been a fun but arduous task and quite tiring.
"The One"
So, on Monday we found a house that was quite special and we really liked it far beyond anything else we had seen. After going house searching on Tuesday night to make sure there were no other houses that were quite at the same level we made the scary decision to put in an offer for this house. It was quite nerve-racking, but we both felt pretty good about it because it was a great deal and a very well kept house with new roofing in a great family-friendly area. During the whole process I had tried to make sure my heart was not too attached and was well aware that this house could become an idol and Greg and I this whole time have been praying that God would keep us from desiring a house more than Him. Nonetheless, there were subtle little ties that staked my heart away from joyfully giving everything to God and to my own selfish plans and desires. Little things like imagining Greg and I hanging out in the loft area or reading by the fireplace in the master bathroom. Or picturing parties on the patio or fellowship groups in the living room. After receiving a counter offer, just yesterday Greg informed me that they wouldn't go lower on the price which put the house just above our price range...the deal was off... When hearing the news I could feel myself getting a little heated and upset, but I tried to remind myself of what we had been praying, that we would hold this with an open hand and that we will trust God wherever He leads. I even had a fleeting feeling of calling them back and giving in, even though the house would have been over our budget. Yesterday and even today it has been a battle between my flesh and desires and trusting God. It has been me having to stop my wishing and idealizing and imagining and what-ifing and really speaking truth to myself. Do I really believe that God will bring about what is best or do I just say that when the going is good? Also, I have to keep myself from deficit thinking, from thinking about what I am "lacking" and to remember and be thankful for what we do have. God has blessed us in abundance! Even being able to think about buying a house is more than half of the world is able to do. Even most seminary students are just scraping by. We are incredibly blessed! Greg comforted me with this verse from James 1:17 "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." The desired house was clearly not perfect if the Father did not choose to give it. In His sovereignty He has brought some things to pass and others not to pass and as well look back we can see the whys of His great plan and how they have been to our good though at the time it didn't seem nor feel like it. Thus, it comes down to a choice. Choosing to give into my desires or trusting God and His character and His Word. And this is how one gives God glory in buying a house. It isn't about the end product, but about your heart and your soul as you get there.... Greg Signing the Offer
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