And I am finally doing a Five Minute Friday linkup! (Click here to see the linkup) 

Yeah ok... so it's a wee bit after midnight... but it is still Friday in some time zones! 

Anyways... The word is IF.  

Ready go! 

The first phrase that comes to mind is "what if?"  God has been teaching me how to look at life differently.... through His eyes... and so here is a poem that is a positive spin of the What if game.

Well, over a year!  I kept meaning to get back to this, would get busy, and time goes by so fast...

Anyway at long last, I am finally posting something! 

It was my birthday three days ago, which causes me to get in a reflective mood.  First to come to mind was how God has moved me over the past year.  Figuratively and literally!  

A little over a month ago, May 10, was my closing date.  I sold and bought a house.  A year ago, I was considering moving perhaps within the next five years.  Although a part of me really wanted to move within a year.  However I just assumed that was not possible; I was sure I did not have the equity and finances necessary to move to a place that would be worth moving to.  

But the Lord is a God of surprises!  Last September, at the urging of my mom (who was obviously sensitive to the urging of the Holy Spirit) I looked at a place for sale.  I was only going to please my mom, and was amazed by how much I loved it.  I felt God was saying to go ahead and try for it, and He would close the door on the opportunity if necessary.

So, I went to the bank, was startled and pleased by the fact that I could get pre-approved for the loan needed, made an offer contingent on me being able to sell, and waited. 

And waited.... and waited...

...and the house I was trying to buy was sold before I was able to sell.  

I chose to trust this was God closing the door on that particular house and felt at peace with continuing to attempt to sell and move, for at least the next few months.  Move where, I was not so sure, but I believed God would either open the door to buy a better place for me, or close the door on moving altogether. 

So, more waiting.  

Finally, after several months of trying to sell, I had an offer!  But there no longer seemed to be any listings that I could afford and want to move to.  I wondered what God was up to.  Why did I have to wait so long only for there to be no place available?  Would I actually get to move?  Would I end up being at my parents for awhile because I had sold and not found anything? As much as I love my parents I did not want to have to move back in with them, no matter how temporary.  

After a few days of nothing turning up, again God used my mom to bring about a shift.  She had heard about a place for sale and it sounded like it might be just the place for me.  I went to view it the very next day and LOVED it.  It felt so right.... like home.  I asked God if I could please, please have it.  But that I would trust if not, there was something even better.

So I made an offer, left it in God's capable hands, and the offer was accepted the next day!  I will never forget receiving the news!  And it was extra special because I happened to be with my parents and they rejoiced with me! 

Next came the inspections and renegotiation regarding those, the appraisals for the value, and finally the actual physical work involved with moving.  God was incredibly faithful the entire way. 

While it took longer than expected, and turned out differently than planned at the start, God proved He was watching over every detail, and He does know best.  God delivered on what I asked, and even went above and beyond!   My home is very much my home sweet home.  I have actually had tears of joy, I am so thankful and overwhelmed by God's goodness.  

​As mentioned, God has moved me in more than just the literal sense.  I am feeling more and more like myself, like the me I am supposed to be, who God intended me to be.  I have more confidence, and for the first time ever, more often than not I have a comfortable sense of feeling at home with myself. 

So... God has physically and spiritually brought me "home," more so than ever before.  And it is a wonderful feeling.  

Thanks be to God who has moved me forward in more ways than one!  He has moved me more and more into freedom... freedom to let go of what has held me back and cling to the truths that will guide me on in the right direction... until the only thing holding me, that has a claim on me, is Jesus and His love.  

Ephesians 3:20 ~ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 37:4-5 ~ Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

Philipians 3:13b-14 ~ Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.