Hide and Seek?

Oh the mystical "Will of God". Is it a yo-yo that God holds over our heads and just when we are about to reach up and take hold He yanks it just out of our reach? Is it the children's game that as we get closer to the sought after object He calls out "warmer", or "colder" as we move away from its hidden location? No, I believe that as a loving Father He wisely allows us to know the precise details necessary for each day's service to Him. Does that seem cruel? As loving parents we do not burden our children with every detail of the decision-making process for the weekly menu or schedule. But we do let them know the details that pertain to their daily life. As we have gone back to square one in searching for a house God still provides, leads, helps, protects, and guides in our daily lives. We trust Him to reveal His plan in His time. There are too many details for us to embrace at this time. Where will the Taylors live? Where will we live? Where will the new church be located? These details are not necessary for today. We will continue to look for housing, continue to work, continue to travel to churches, continue to build relationships with the people around us, and continue to wait on our loving Father and trust that He will do what is best.

Rejection

This has indeed been an interesting process. The housing market in Cleveland is, to put it bluntly, terrible. However we want to move there. Our paperwork was all coming together smoothly. The appraiser went to the bank that owns the house to get keys to do the appraisal and they would not allow her to go in. They said that there was not a contract on the house. Interesting, because we have all the papers here in a folder! Judy called on Tuesday afternoon and informed us that the seller (a bank) has now rejected our offer. She agrees with us that they have poor business practices. Ken was gracious with Judy and let her know that we realize that God is in control. He does what is best. We will trust Him. Of course we are disappointed and are not excited about starting the search all over again. But we will trust and obey.

An Interesting Turn

Friday, May 2, Ken and Bill Taylor headed to Lake Ann Christian Camp and Conference Center near Traverse City Michigan for a Men's retreat with the men from First Baptist Church Cedar Springs and while they were there Judy called and said that the bank had indeed accepted our offer from Tuesday! When Ken returned from his trip we began the paperwork necessary to apply for our loan. It is one week later and we have not yet been informed of any problems with this house becoming ours - amazing. Jim Matson and Paul Miller are putting together teams to come help us with any necessary repairs. Folks here in Cedarville have offered to both help us up there and to help us move. Father, God, you are Great. Thank you!

Clear Vision

To remain on the narrow pathway and not stumble requires clear vision. No clouds of doubt, fear, guilt, or self to hinder progress are permitted. Our offer on Monday was rejected by 8 pm that evening. Judy had us counter-offer on Tuesday morning and that too was immediately rejected. I took these events as sign posts to give direction to the next step. The May edition of Cleveland Magazine arrived on Tuesday. There was included a supplement called "Live Cleveland!" The cover story is, "Return to the City, Why Suburbanites are moving to Cleveland." It will be interesting to see just how many more sign posts we'll have to come across to make sure we remain on the path - that is, doing exactly what God has asked us to do, how He has asked us to do it, and when He wants us to do it. The song that has cycled through my mind is, "Be Thou My Vision". "Be thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart. Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art; Thou my best thought, by day or by night. Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light."