The last time we took it off the market we knew we wanted to let Jonathan graduate from Mansfield High School. So we didn't worry about it for awhile. Then it was time to put it up again. I remember Chris pounding the FSBO sign in the yard and we stopped and prayed for the family that one day would inhabit this house. We prayed that we would sell it THIS time. Nothing happened. Then a sweet Christian lady who was a new realtor that actually lived in Mansfield asked several times if she could list it. We decided to go with her since she seemed to know everyone around here and was showing our friend's house left and right.
At this point, the Lord was really impressing on our hearts it was time to leave the church. That after years of struggling with the decision it was time. He was releasing us. Then the Arkansas Baptist Children's Home job literally came all together in a couple week period. The only missing piece of this puzzle was that we HAD to sell this house. Our new realtor was trying to be very honest with us and let us know what a tough market it was in Mansfield. We know that. I teach in our local school and our decline in students show that no one is moving in.
About a month ago, we were getting very desperate before the Lord. Our kids were having a hard time with the uncertainty of what was going to happen with our future, Chris and I were hurting. It was a Saturday night that I started my desperate praying to the Lord. For my husband, for my children, for our church, for my house to sell. And the most impossible hurdle to me was the house to sell.
This next little bit is going to sound crazy - but those that really know me, know it's not crazy - but something that probably had to happen in my life. As I was praying that Saturday night - God told me to fast from Diet Coke (or any soda) until our house sold. Everybody knows I am highly addicted to Diet Coke. I had not gone without one even for a day in at least 15 years. If you don't believe me, look at what is my cover photo on Facebook. Haha! I am embarrassed to say I have never fasted before but I know fasting requires you to give up something and when you get the urge for it etc...then you use that time spent in prayer. I wrestled with God about it until 1:00 am. Then I finally gave it up. I said, "Lord, this seems so small and petty, sacrificing my diet coke. But if it is what you want me to do, I will do it. I am trusting you with this craziness. Please help me not to completely flip out on everyone as I am going through withdrawals. I am trusting you to sell our house. Amen." And from that moment I did not have another drop. And it was HARD. I had horrible head aches. I prayed like 50 times a day. I got depressed and I didn't want to eat because I had nothing good to drink with it. Who wants pizza and water? I know most will laugh at me and think it's stupid but it was so real. Weeks started to pass. No movement on the house. The desire for Diet Coke did not lessen. I told Chris even this past Saturday that I don't think that God is going to let my desire for Diet Coke go away because he wants to keep it as my continual sacrifice to him. I am not saying this to draw any attention to myself. I am stupid. If something has this big of stronghold over my life I obviously need to get rid of it anyway. I know that. But I want it to be a complete testimony to the awesomeness of God and what happens when you follow his voice - even if it is with weak faith like I had. Chris would wake me up before he would leave on the bus and we would pray for the house to sell. Our family and friends were praying for us. My Bible Study Fellowship small group was praying our house would sell. This house thing was completely bathed in prayer. And we were still doubting and discouraged and starting to formulate "Plan B" which was renting it.
Here is where the story gets crazy. We resign the church last Sunday. Just one week ago. We know it is what God wants us to do. The same morning this young couple wins $200,000.00 from a scratch ticket at our little Mansfield gas station. It was huge news in our little town. Fast forward to one week later. Which is yesterday. Right after the morning service we get an excited call from our realtor saying the couple that won the money from the scratch ticket wants to look at our house - TODAY! It had started to snow, then sleet. We kept checking our phone thinking the showing would get canceled. We are cleaning like crazy. To wrap this miracle up - they looked at the house, made and offer within an hour and we signed the contract that night. In the sleet, snow and all. It all came down in one short afternoon. I broke out in hives. We were shaking. We were jumping up and down and makin' all kinds of happy noises. We then prayed a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. The circumstances around it are just so crazy to us. And exactly 4 weeks TO THE DAY that I started my fast someone won the lottery and we sold our house. My faith was so weak. I prayed so many times and asked God to help my unbelief. He is so good. We just give all glory and praise to him. And it was just that final confirmation that even in all this difficulty and sadness of leaving the church, it was exactly what we were supposed to do and God is taking care of us. Wow.
The few people that knew about this fast asked me if I went out and got a Diet Coke. Answer to that?!?! BUT OF COURSE!!! I told y'all the desire didn't go away! Haha!! My secret sister from church got me a pack of Diet Cokes and M&M's for Valentine's Day and I kept it front and center of my pantry just waiting to drink it. And let me tell you, I enjoyed it thoroughly today. :) We totally give HIM all the GLORY!!!! Thankyou Jesus! YOU TOTALLY DID THIS!!!!
"Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26
:) makes me all warm and fuzzy
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