Deer in the Front Yard

“I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 NLT

I just knew the story of my new home would be just this amazing God thing. Now nothing is set in stone, however all the workings of a pure God moment are in the making.  Like every good story, there is much to discover along the way and lining up all the clues is the fun part.  As I am beginning to see myself for who I am and overcoming many things in my life, I feel my last hurdle is this trailer I am currently living in.  During my marriage we neglected this trailer greatly.  My husband was good at stating projects and not finishing them and we were neither good housekeepers.  There are walls missing, cracked windows, ripped carpet and so many other things wrong with this place, not to mention the memories which go with it.  I want so badly a fresh start in a new home and God is beginning to answer my pleas.

To start from the beginning about a year ago my daughter and I were taking a drive and I saw deer in someones front yard.  Now anybody who knows me, knows deer are very special to me.  They seem to appear in my life when things are going in the right direction so I get very excited when I see them.  As we drove by I prayed out loud to God, “Lord, it would be so awesome to have a home where I could have deer in my front yard.”  Silly it may seem, but indeed a true prayer from my heart.  It was then I began to wonder if getting a new home was going to be me taking on the adventure or waiting on God.  I began to look a little bit here and there at houses.  We visited one that I thought surely was the one because we walked into the living room and there was this painting on the wall of two deer in the forest and it literally took up the entire wall from floor to ceiling.  Nope not the one.

We looked at another house near where I live, but by the time I had prayed and called, it was sold.  Then another one showed up on the market, yet again gone before I made a move.  I have been in prayer about this house as I have no extra money and my credit is not so good.  I also have a near 80 year old dad who really needs to move in with me, we thought about moving into his house but it is on the wrong side of town and not nearly big enough.  About six months ago, the church secretary, Penny stated as we were praying that she sees me in my new home by the end of the year, and this is where things get really interesting to say the least.

I have just begun a dream book as we are making them for our Mary Kay business.  I literally just began the cover and have yet to put anything in it, yet I knew the first thing would be a house.  To set the stage, about a month ago old friends of mine and I stood in the rain at 11pm at night just outside a local grocery store.  We discussed God and some other things and then parted ways.  Now we have been friends on Facebook but have not really caught up with each other in awhile. Two days ago I was beginning to give up on my dream of being in a new home before the end of the year, that was until a “wasted trip to Meijers” changed my view.

As we were exiting the grocery store, here comes my friend to return some boots which did not fit one of her kids.  We stopped and chatted again and she began to share with me her struggle of keeping up a farm some 20 minutes away every day and driving home again.  Mind you she has six kids to take care of to boot!  I clarified with her that she lived here but was keeping up a farm and she said yes, they want to move and build a house on the farmland they have but cannot sell their house because the housing market it so bad.  Long story short, she began to tell me they want to sell it for what they owe and nothing more.  My heart was beating when I asked her this simple question, “Do ever see deer at your place?”  She said they visit her garden from time to time.  Yup!  Made a point to see the house today.

One minor detail I need also mention, my son has left my home and will not return because the memories of the bad stuff is just too much for him to handle and plans to move with me if I get a house.  This means in order to move my dad in with me and my kids I need the minimum:  4 bedrooms, 2 baths and a basement.  God knew what I liked because I had begun to tell Him my dreams even though I had not quite started the book.  We walked into this house….4 bedrooms, 3 baths, full basement, fireplace, oak floors, all the appliances come with it, wooded acre of land behind the house, 2 stall garage and a vacant garage out front that could be turned into a studio for my daughter’s photography.  This house was built by the couple and is only a few years old.  It is also built with a handicap person in mind with wider door frames and hallways.  My dad having surgery on both knees has trouble getting around.

Three things in particular stood out to me.  First the master bedroom has a bathroom which as an old style tub with feet, this is something which was on my list that only God knew I wanted.  Second, their little dog’s name was Penny.  And lastly, guess where her garden is located?  Yup!  In the front yard!  I am telling you, God is good and even though the price seems to be out of my range, God will make a way.  The couple is already looking for a place to move into which will be closer to the farm until they can build a home on it and we have agreed I want the house and there is no rush to anything.  The home owner has just as great of a God story on her side because she had been crying out to God for a solution to their situation and she said today, “Who would have thought that someone would just come out of the blue and make an offer on a house that’s not even up for sale?”  God provides.  God is good.  And when you think you have had enough and are about to give up, He shows up and shows you who He really is.