Use it all for good

Back in March, as a family we decided that, while it wasn't exactly our timing, we felt God was leading us back to Boca Raton. I was offered a first grade position (helloooo firsties!) and Mike was offered the chance to work with his closest friends, learning a new industry (goodbye classroom!). 

But then, it seemed that everything that could go wrong kind of did....

First, we had to sell a house. It'll be easy, they said. It'll be fast, they declared. It wasn't easy and it most definitely wasn't fast. With every breath, I felt that I was pleading with God to find the perfect family and lead them to our house. Then I prayed for the inspection, the appraisal, the financing, the closing. This is the 3rd house we've sold, so either God protects me by removing the memory from my brain, or the other sales were unremarkable, because this one clearly caused some gray hairs. Yet, the delays actually kept us from jumping the gun and buying a house in Florida that wasn't perfect, that was overpriced, and eventually would not be a solid investment. God used this delay for good.

Then my brother passed away unexpectedly. Seemingly out of the blue, we were tossed into very uncharted waters. We drove a few hours, in 3 cars to accommodate travel schedules, and were met by an abundance of extended family- aunts and cousins I hadn't seen in years, friends that flew in from across the country, a best friend who showed up to just stand beside me, a sleepover at my parents' house. When searching for why this happened, right now, in the midst of a chaotic month, it dawned on me that without this gathering, no matter how sad it was, I wouldn't have seen these people before the move to Florida. So, God used this time of sorrow for good. 

Next, Caroline got engaged. Now, how could this be a bad thing....oh trust me- it's the greatest joy to see something you've prayed for come to fruition. But again, it began a long to-do list. Plus, never would I have chosen to live 1400 miles away from where a wedding would take place. But, as it would be, Caroline's future mother-in-law has had a front row seat to wedding planning, and quickly stepped in to be a full planning partner. Venue was booked within a week; wedding dress shopping appointment was set for the last Saturday in June. Because of the circle of people helping with this, and how I was learning to accept help when I am in over my head, it is easy to see that God uses this engagement for good.

Finally, I have not been excited about renting a house. To me, that seems that I am not fully invested; I won't actually unpack all the things I love because in a year, I will just have to pack them up again (and I didn't love doing it the first time!!). But in south Florida, right now, housing is bonkers. So I reconciled my heart and mind to the idea that we would be fine renting. SO MANY FORMS later, plus a few phone calls and a whole lot of prayers, we finally got word 5 DAYS BEFORE THE MOVING TRUCK ARRIVED that we were cleared for a 3 bedroom villa. We could take the dog; there is a community pool. It's close to school and close to friends. But if you know me, I am a wimp...it took a month for me meet my Macomb neighbors who became my best friends in Michigan. And here we are, back at the starting line again. Last night, Mike took the dog outside and we met the neighbors with whom we share a wall. Turns out (I shouldn't be surprised at how God works anymore) it's a former St. Paul family, who remembered us. Being connected in this way to the neighbor is reassuring and comforting; Again, God used this rental for good.

So Mike and I are relearning our way around Boca, talking with the kids every day, reconnecting with friends from what seems like a different lifetime, and waiting patiently for our belongings to arrive. In the waiting, I am reacquainting myself with the library, doing some online classes, and riding out the calm before the (actual and proverbial) storms...of school, of Florida hurricanes, and of life. 

A great friend told me to "look for God-winks". When I do, it's easy to see how God uses people, places and time all for our good. And because He is constant and unchanging, I am able to view the chaos through an unshakable promise that He will continue to work for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).