.Unchanged.

This past 2 weeks has been crazy to say the least. Exactly 2 weeks ago Lew and I were in a very different situation. We are still living with my parents, and at the time had little faith to buy a home as Lew still hasn't found a new job, and we weren't sure if we should commit to buying something without knowing where he would be working. But two weeks ago I really begin to think and wonder....do we trust God for a home? Do we trust that God can provide a place for us, in a way that we couldn't have seen coming. Do we believe God is wiser than us?

At this point we are coming up on a year living with my parents. It has been year full of challenges as we aggressively pay off debt and mesh 6 adults and one toddler into one home. There have been many sweet times, but of course there are challenges too. Lew has been looking for a new job now on and off for 2 years. So, 2 weeks ago as I began to ask the above questions I also raised them to Lew. I think we can easily be more focused on what we don't have, and less aware of what God has already provided. It all the sudden hit us that we were missing the huge provision that God has already given us in Lew's current job. This has been a steady job and a secure job for our family, an answer to prayers almost 4 years ago. The company is doing well and this job has allowed a lot of flexibility for our family. It may not be exactly what Lew is looking for, but it's a job, and a gift. Not only that but God graciously provided a job for me, where I can work very little and still be a big means of support for our family, which has allowed me to keep my primary "job" in the home. Another huge means of provision from the Lord. Long story short 2 weeks ago God planted seeds of faith in our hearts, that we are to step forward, taking big leaps of faith, and trust Him for something big.

So we prayed, and we lept. That same day I contacted our broker and realtor again and asked them if we could meet to discuss possible options for us. We met with the realtor that week who informed us that we need to be ready for the "long haul" not exactly what we wanted to hear. He said basically with our budget we probably could only find a short sale or foreclosure and that could mean months and months of waiting, and potentially disappointment. Not only that but he said be prepared for a home that could also need a lot of work. Not exactly what we wanted to hear. But we prayed and still had faith to move forward. Fast forward a week later, our realtor calls and says "I found something I think you guys will really love, I think we need to look at it tonight!" We scramble and along with Miya go look at this home. It's not only move in ready, but in the neighborhood we wanted, and the model we were hoping for. That night Lew and I look at our budget again...pray...and leap again. The next night we sign an offer. The next day we are under contract. Yes, all that in 2 weeks.

It's unbelievable to see how God called us to leap in faith, and then literally at record speed he drops something into our laps that we didn't even imagine receiving, or know to ask for. Of course at any point God could take this away, we are awaiting an inspection and appraisal, but we are trusting God will work good regardless of the outcome. We are just praying that He will continue to give us clarity and direction as he has thus far. Our proposed settlement date is December 7th, and we probably won't move in ourselves until after Christmas.

My title is probably confusing now as you hear me describe all these big changes in our lives right now. The bottom line that we are seeing in all this is God's unchanging nature. In the midst of all these twists and turns in our story, God has remained steady. This portion from Morning and Evening pretty much sums it up for me:

“I am the Lord, I change not."

Malachi 3:6

It is well for us that, amidst all the variableness of life, there is One whom change cannot affect; One whose heart can never alter, and on whose brow mutability can make no furrows. All things else have changed—all things are changing. The sun itself grows dim with age; the world is waxing old; the folding up of the worn-out vesture has commenced; the heavens and earth must soon pass away; they shall perish, they shall wax old as doth a garment; but there is One who only hath immortality, of whose years there is no end, and in whose person there is no change. The delight which the mariner feels, when, after having been tossed about for many a day, he steps again upon the solid shore, is the satisfaction of a Christian when, amidst all the changes of this troublous life, he rests the foot of his faith upon this truth—“I am the Lord, I change not.”

The stability which the anchor gives the ship when it has at last obtained a hold-fast, is like that which the Christian’s hope affords him when it fixes itself upon this glorious truth. With God “is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Whatever his attributes were of old, they are now; his power, his wisdom, his justice, his truth, are alike unchanged. He has ever been the refuge of his people, their stronghold in the day of trouble, and he is their sure Helper still. He is unchanged in his love. He has loved his people with “an everlasting love”; he loves them now as much as ever he did, and when all earthly things shall have melted in the last conflagration, his love will still wear the dew of its youth. Precious is the assurance that he changes not! The wheel of providence revolves, but its axle is eternal love.

“Death and change are busy ever, Man decays, and ages move; But his mercy waneth never; God is wisdom, God is love.”