The Weekly Encourager – July 30, 2013 – What God Knew

People have asked me, how's the gap year going? How's the home re-organization? If you've been reading along, you know that “it isn't exactly what we had planned,” yet the Lord is sovereign over all things, and He sees into the future. Bowing out of several volunteer jobs gave us time to be with Dave's dad before he died. We could not have foreseen that Marney would go so quickly, but God did. We could not have known we would be going to five more funerals after that one, but God did.

On top of the frustration with the basement water leakage itself, the whole process of hiring a waterproofing company, then repairing the damaged walls, floors, and ceilings has been one trial after another. I could not have foreseen that re-building the basement would be about building my patience, but God did. I could not have foreseen that Austin would be moving back home during the process, and therefore able to do some of the work for us, but God did. I did not realize that Austin moving back in with us would mean that we have an ideal house-sitter while we travel for a full month this Fall, but God did. He has been so good!

Each step of the way I have had to lean on the Lord, asking Him for wisdom and strength. I am learning to say, “If the Lord wills” and “not my will, but Thine.” Keep calm and carry on. I never could have imagined that, when Austin returned, he and I would enjoy a blessed new peace in our relationship, but God did. Since he moved in several months ago, we've had only one argument, and it was over in two minutes! God knew we needed such an encouraging sign of the Holy Spirit's work in us both. Thanks be to God!

I'm making progress. After much ado, we finally got a new basement floor put in. Then I hired Austin and three other young men from church to haul the furniture, file cabinets, and boxes back down. We have a living room again! We have a family room again! I couldn't know that living in very cramped quarters for three and a half months would lead to greater appreciation of our space, but God did.

What's next? I predict that between work, family, and travel plans, it will take another several weeks (months?) to sort through everything and put it away properly. I could not have foreseen that the water problem would provide the perfect opportunity for a long-overdue re-organization of my quilt business, but God did. Now that furniture and fabric will be placed in a more logical way with improved lighting, I expect my work to go more smoothly and more pleasantly, and that's good household and business management!

 “In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB God knew I would need that verse!

 Making progress with a faithful God,

j