Answered Prayers: Sometimes Bittersweet

Have you ever prayed for something for a long time—say to sell your house—only to find yourself sad when God answered that prayer? That happened to me.

About nine years ago we purchased what we thought would be our last home. It was a home like no other I had ever lived in. It was such a wonderful blessing—I never, ever dreamed of living in a house like it.

I remember the anticipation of moving in after signing the enormous stack of mortgage papers. My parents eventually moved in with us after selling their home. They had the very private upstairs, and we all shared the downstairs living area. Our son lived in the garage apartment.

Memories

Over the years we lived there, that home provided many memories that I still cherish, such as:

• Family meals.
• Making new friends in our neighborhood.
• Listening to the owls, cows, donkeys, coyotes and crickets at night as we fell asleep.
• Hawks nesting year after year in a backyard tree.
• The squeaky board upstairs as my mom and dad navigated their space.
• Family reunions (at Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, etc.) in our home.
• Warm fires by the fireplace where we relaxed, read books, and knitted and crocheted.
• Bible studies with our Church family.

Time and chance

But, as time passes, things happen—sometimes things completely out of our control (Ecclesiastes 9:11-12):

• Three auto/truck accidents (none my husband’s fault) within a short period of time.
• Four TIAs (mini-strokes) as a result of his injuries.
• Permanent damage to his head, neck and spine.
• Forced disability from trucking as a result of his injuries.
• Resulting frustration and depression over these setbacks.

Reality

My husband could no longer take care of our 1 and 1/3 acres of land, and we couldn’t afford to hire someone to maintain it either. So we put the house up for sale. There was interest, but no sale.

Then the garage burned down, causing smoke damage in the house. The rebuilding and restitution seemed to take forever.

Finally, after repairs were made, a third realtor was enlisted, and we received some solid leads. Finally, we got a fair offer, which we accepted, and signed a contract.

Real reality sets in

The solution to our physical and financial limitations was the seed for the next problem.

I had not foreseen my reaction to this “blessing.” I had already parted with a lot of the stuff we had accumulated over our 34 years of marriage, but parting with this wonderful home was a mountain I did not want to climb.

Solution—God’s timing

Christians must temper every challenge with the fact that all the things that happen to us ultimately work for our good (Romans 8:28).

The closing on our house took place back in May, but I still struggled with my separation anxiety. I accepted it as a blessing, but still wrestled with my emotions over the wonderful memories that rested there.

When I was told about some changes the new owner was making, I did not want to hear it. My dad drove by the house after returning from church one Sabbath. I did not want to look at it. I had not fully let go of that former home yet.

A valuable lesson learned after 51 Feasts

My parents and I went to Kerrville for the Feast of Tabernacles this year; and while thinking about the poignant messages, it occurred to me God had given me the answer.

The theme of this Feast pointed us to the realization that this Feast is not just for us now, it is for all people of the earth—at a future time. It points to the fulfillment of the great plan of God. Each year, as we observe God’s holy days, we are reminded that this physical existence is temporary (Hebrews 11:13-16).

My parents and I have been keeping the Feast since 1962.

Every year we rehearse the fact that we keep the Feast by living in temporary dwellings that look forward to a much better home—a spiritual, permanent, eternal home—that Christ is preparing now for us (John 14:2).

How did I not focus on that before?

Every physical home I have occupied was a temporary dwelling on my journey to the real home I look forward to. Our new home in the Kingdom of God will surpass all our expectations!

Now I appreciate the answer to my quandary. God hasten the fulfillment of that day!

For more about that wonderful time to come, see the articles in the “Kingdom of God” section of the LifeHopeandTruth.com website.

Susan Scott Smith is a third-grade teacher and a member of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in Texas.