Unanswered Prayers

Mike and I always wanted to move back to Wilmington. After our first child, Sarah, was born we sold our condo and moved into an apartment to see what would happen. Mike was in engineering at UPS. He was actively looking for a job. After a year and no luck we decided to buy a house.

We found a neighborhood under construction and found a lot we liked. Twice we found a lot and lost it. We were so upset. It was like it was not meant to be. Every time something would happen. Finally, we found a brick ranch in a sought after neighborhood. It had a fenced in back yard, a screened porch, deck and jacuzzi. We never believed we could have all of that!

Right after my second daughter, Ivey, was born I asked Mike what they would do for fun in the summers. I truly did not know what people did without a beach. He told me they would have horses. HORSES?! I love horses but that is not the beach. I had to get home! That is when we really started trying to move home. I loved Greensboro but I loved Wilmington more!

Within two years Mike had a job offer in medical supplies! God had opened my eyes when my girls were born but I was beginning to look to Him more! I asked God if it was meant to be to please work it out for us to get home. I did not have any scripture to quote to him. I just asked Him to help us do what was right. I told Mike I thought we should put our house on the market for sale by owner and see what happened. Within the month our house sold for the asking price. We were ecstatic! God brought to my mind a big lesson. If we would have gotten that lot and built we would not have been able to sale our home two years later. They still had lots of lots and great deals. Also we would not have made the money we made on this house. That was the first time I learned to trust God with decisions. He sees the future and knows what is best....even if we don't understand. Proverbs 3: 5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Garth Brooks sang Unanswered Prayers and it went like this: "Sometimes I thank God, for unanswered prayers. Remember when you're talkin', to the man upstairs and just because he doesn't answer, doesn't mean he don't care. Some of God's greatest gifts, are unanswered prayers. I guess the Lord knows what he's doin' after all!"

Before I knew specific scriptures I knew that God could "show off". I use this often and I have never meant it disrespectfully. I mean, there is no way we can out do him. Why put Him in a box and ask for a lot? He sees the future and really does know what is best! I understand Isaiah 55: 8-9, "for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

We moved home and I don't know who was happier: Mike, Mom, Dad, Sarah, Ivey or I! I often think back to that time and am so thankful that God showed me His ways are bigger and better and I cannot even think of them! I try not to get disappointed as Mike and I made big decisions because God knows best. I just ask Him to open the doors for all to work out or slam the door shut so I cannot mess up! And you know, He has done that every time. He takes the stress out of big decisions if you let Him! Just remember, "some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers."