"I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining"
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining"
Music has a way with me. I identify so often with the lyrics of songs and they become an absolute part of me. The first verse of Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns has been digging its way deep into my heart these last few weeks. It's not so much the word "storm" as it is the phrase "I was sure by now". Most days I don't consider this house-for-sale situation to be a storm. There are bigger, more devastating crises that fit that word. But for sure, there are moments when I feel the full weight of all that's hanging over us and I think those times could appropriately be called a storm.
"I was sure by now God you would have reached down ... Stepped in and saved the day." That is my heart. If it wasn't by Thanksgiving, then surely by Christmas. If not by the New Year, then surely by Spring Break. If not April, then at least by Easter.
Certainly something would have moved after our friends came in and poured themselves out in the kitchen work and the curb appeal. Surely, God just wanted me to learn to accept help.
I was sure by now... and still nothing. This real estate market is so odd and frustrating. Interest rates are low so there should be a flood of buyers. However, mortgage companies have tightened their lending practices making it more difficult to get a loan. As has been widely reported, the market is flooded with foreclosures as well. It's just a slow and strange market.
Up until this week, I had not really understood how all the foreclosures had any affect on my own situation. We had two showings last Sunday, one of which was promising. In fact, we were told that our home had made their short list, otherwise known as their top 3. We were told to be prepared for the possibility of a second showing request. We were also advised not to get our hopes up, as anything can happen. Still, you can't help but feel a little anticipation.
Monday passed. Tuesday passed. Wednesday passed. Thursday morning the phone rang. Our realtor had spoken with theirs. Turns out they are looking at a short sale - our same floor plan - for $30,000 less than ours is listed. And just this week, the bank released a foreclosure - our same floor plan- for $20,000 less than ours is listed. So clearly, as a buyer, they should consider the foreclosure, which could potentially be a quick and easy close. If it's in good condition, there's little reason to choose ours. That's the market we're in.
We estimated the other day that our house has been shown more than 40 times since it went on the market.
I was sure by now...
But the song doesn't stop there. There's a line in the chorus that goes "And I will lift my hands For you are who you are No matter where I am". How's that for someone who wants to be somewhere else? Here in this house, or the next county north, or anywhere else for that matter.
Whatever the plan He has, it's for my good. Regardless of what I see or feel. In fact He continues to bless me daily and to provide for us in new ways. He's opened my eyes to his countless gifts and He's offered me new and wonderful things to distract my mind from dwelling on the "I was sure by now..." (books, wheat, kids, work, and the list goes on)
It's a day by day kind of thing. On the darker days, I must simply "Lift my eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help."
For now, I Will Praise You In This Storm
"I was sure by now God you would have reached down ... Stepped in and saved the day." That is my heart. If it wasn't by Thanksgiving, then surely by Christmas. If not by the New Year, then surely by Spring Break. If not April, then at least by Easter.
Certainly something would have moved after our friends came in and poured themselves out in the kitchen work and the curb appeal. Surely, God just wanted me to learn to accept help.
I was sure by now... and still nothing. This real estate market is so odd and frustrating. Interest rates are low so there should be a flood of buyers. However, mortgage companies have tightened their lending practices making it more difficult to get a loan. As has been widely reported, the market is flooded with foreclosures as well. It's just a slow and strange market.
Up until this week, I had not really understood how all the foreclosures had any affect on my own situation. We had two showings last Sunday, one of which was promising. In fact, we were told that our home had made their short list, otherwise known as their top 3. We were told to be prepared for the possibility of a second showing request. We were also advised not to get our hopes up, as anything can happen. Still, you can't help but feel a little anticipation.
Monday passed. Tuesday passed. Wednesday passed. Thursday morning the phone rang. Our realtor had spoken with theirs. Turns out they are looking at a short sale - our same floor plan - for $30,000 less than ours is listed. And just this week, the bank released a foreclosure - our same floor plan- for $20,000 less than ours is listed. So clearly, as a buyer, they should consider the foreclosure, which could potentially be a quick and easy close. If it's in good condition, there's little reason to choose ours. That's the market we're in.
We estimated the other day that our house has been shown more than 40 times since it went on the market.
I was sure by now...
But the song doesn't stop there. There's a line in the chorus that goes "And I will lift my hands For you are who you are No matter where I am". How's that for someone who wants to be somewhere else? Here in this house, or the next county north, or anywhere else for that matter.
Whatever the plan He has, it's for my good. Regardless of what I see or feel. In fact He continues to bless me daily and to provide for us in new ways. He's opened my eyes to his countless gifts and He's offered me new and wonderful things to distract my mind from dwelling on the "I was sure by now..." (books, wheat, kids, work, and the list goes on)
It's a day by day kind of thing. On the darker days, I must simply "Lift my eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help."
For now, I Will Praise You In This Storm
1 comment:
I love this song. And this post. There was a time right after Brian and I got married that I felt so alone. He was traveling 4 days a week and we didn't have friends. I had just moved 3000 miles away from everything I knew and loved. Then 9/11 happened. I had trouble securing a job, finding a church, making friends. I did the same thing as you. Months went by and I was "sure by now" God would have come through for me. In hindsight it wasn't all that long, but at the time, that first year was looooong. But in the end, I got a job, we found a church....and I met you. I'm true testament that the sun does shine after a storm. Always.
Post a Comment