God is Faithful! (Patience – day 86)

I just wanted to write this post to encourage someone.  Today is day 86 of 2013 and day 86 of my year of patience.  I have fabulous news to announce to my dear readers.  Today at 1 PM, Scott and I were no longer home owners!!!  <cue cheering crowd here!>

By the time you read this, I will have signed off on the final paperwork without my darling husband, because he has to be out of town during business hours this week for work.  He signed off on his paperwork last night with our realtor, Steve Scherpf with SSI Realty.  I can’t sing this man’s praises enough.  If you live in the Pinellas County, Florida area and need a realtor, please call Steve.  He is THE BEST REALTOR EVER!!!

Steve told me last night, as I was giving him updates on my husband’s ETA (estimated time of arrival), that the drama of the house sale continued even through the day with the mortgage company asking for unnecessary paperwork and not understanding why is wasn’t necessary (I.E. lead-based paint disclosure on a house built in 1998).  I mean, really?  Who ARE these people?   And where did they get their crazy rules?

I want to let you know that never, ever, even one time did I doubt God’s promise to be faithful and for the sale of our house to go through.  I certainly was tested.  Our house was never without a buyer for more than 72 hours after it went on the market.  Four buyers in less than one month and the last buyer, whose realtor and mortgage company promised that the financing was in order and then wasn’t.  I could have lived without the roller coaster ride we’ve been on since the beginning of January, but then I wouldn’t have known how trusting of God I’d be and I wouldn’t see just how faithful He is.  Nonetheless, I’m glad that it’s over.

Patience – day 42

Forty-two days into the year and my patience is being tested like there’s no tomorrow.  Perhaps I should have chosen a word like “blessing” or “gifts” or “sell the house in two days”!  Okay, really.  I’m sorry.  It’s been a test of my faith besides my patience.

So, buyers #3 have come and gone.  Victims of meddling parents trying to advise their adult children of their every move leaving not only the Sandmeyer family buyer-less, but a hardworking realtor being told she didn’t help at all, and our realtor, who’s calling all those interested in the house while it was under contract trying to quickly find us a new buyer.  I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but does no one stand by their word (and a signed contract) anymore?  Does no one’s good name stand for anything?

So, back on the market we go.  I want to say that while my faith is being tested, I haven’t lost it.  What I’m weary of is the up and down of the buyer vs. no buyer roller coaster that we’ve been riding.  My brain is just hurting.  I feel like I have adrenaline overload.  People that have anxiety attacks can relate.  After the adrenaline floods your body, you bottom out, and it leaves you exhausted, weary, empty.

I tired of calling my husband and my parents to tell them that we’re back on the market again.  I’m tired of signing the stupid contract releasing the retreating buyer of their agreement with us.  I told my wonderful realtor that I don’t know how he does what he does, except it must make it a little easier knowing it’s not his house.  But he works so hard and it must be so disappointing when things like this come up.

So, I vent here, dear reader, to you.  Thank you!  I’m grateful for your reading eyes and know you must have just a little bit of sympathy for us.

I’m going to go eat some Moose Tracks ice cream and play an never-ending game of Bejeweled Twist to try to release some of this pent up aggravation, so I’ll leave you with a picture of our house.  Click on the picture for the listing information.  Pass it on to someone who’s looking to buy a home in the Pinellas Park, FL area.  Then I can move on to writing about happier times in our new apartment, which we are moving into in 2 weeks!

Putting Fear into Perspective

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:19

A funny thing happened last night.  It started yesterday when Scott and I were looking for a new fish tank and stand for our apartment.  We found one, but Scott wanted to wait to get it and I was going to price them online.  I found a perfect on on eBay and used the “Buy It Now” feature.  What I didn’t see was that it was for local pick-up only.  This is eBay, who does that???  Anyway, since I wasn’t able to make a road trip out to Los Angeles any time soon, I had to contact the seller and explain my mistake.

fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
~ Isaiah 41:10

Meanwhile, the worry and fretting over the whole request for refund ate at me.  Me, who has been a rock during the craziness of us selling our home (3 TIMES!).  Me, who trusts that God has the house-thing under control.  Really?  I was worried over $109 when we have an over $100K transaction pending with the sale of the house.

So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
    I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”
~ Hebrews 13:6

Who am I to trust God for the big thing (house), but not trust Him to handle the little ones (fish tank stand)?  Stupid.  I slept terribly, having dreams that were all based around this worry that I went to bed with.

do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:6-7

Don’t you know, I woke up at 6 AM to get ready for church and I checked my email and the seller had responded graciously.  He asked me to file a formal request on eBay for a cancellation of the transaction and that he would refund the money and all would be right with the world.  Easy-peasy.  And I lost sleep over it.  So, I’m reminded of my favorite Bible verse:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
~ Proverbs 3:5-6