Waiting
on the Lord
Nancy
Gardner
In 2006 my husband and I were making
a critical decision about our future. He
had already retired; I was to retire in six more years. This was the year that my husband proposed a
shocking idea for what he would like us to do when I stopped working. He wanted us to pull up roots - move from
Florida where we had been living for 45 years and build a home in North
Carolina. Prior to Rocky discussing this
plan with me, he had already been to North Carolina and seen property he'd
fallen in love with. It was high up a
mountainside having a panoramic view overlooking three states.
Making such a move would be very hard
for me since I had grown up and raised my family in Winter Park. It would also require me to leave my family,
my friends, and the places I was so familiar with - especially my church. My church was as much a part of me as
breathing! Not only was it the place
where my journey with the Lord began, but also where my children had begun
their faith journey. The members of my church family were very dear to me --
having sustained me through some difficult times. In addition, I had spent years directing the
children's choir and singing in a ladies ensemble. Moving would be a real life
changer!
A short time after proposing this
plan he took me to see the property. It
definitely had a breath-taking
view! Now I had to make the very difficult
decision. I agreed to go along "on this ride." However, I did have
one fervent desire which I made known to my husband. I was going to have to find a church where
God's presence was evident and that had a warm and welcoming congregation. It also needed to have strong music program
where I could continue using my talents for praising the Lord.
For the next eight years after
buying the property and while the house was being built, I kept praying, asking
God to help me find the right church.
During this span of time on our visits to check on the progress of the
house, we stayed with friends. My search
was on. We visited many churches, but
neither of us felt as though the Holy Spirit was leading us to any of them.
As our move into our new home
approached, doubts flooded into my heart about leaving my family, friends, and
a loving church. However, I quickly
learned to say, "Lord, I'm trusting you.
I know you will provide."
Finally after moving into our home
in 2015, I started searching the Internet to look for a church. I found one that might fit us, but it was a
forty minute drive from our house.
However, we did know people who attended there, and it did have a large
music ministry. Then while still online,
I found myself looking at another church in a town closer to us. This church offered a full music program, and
there was even an orchestra! To this day
I know God directed me to this
site. My heart was so full. I knew this was a God experience!
The next Sunday evening we attended
- thinking it would be a more relaxed atmosphere. As soon as we got out of the car, we were
welcomed by people in the parking lot; the pastor's sermon spoke to our seeking
hearts. Two people sitting behind us
even asked me to join the choir! I was
so overcome with joy I could hardly speak.
Driving home that night I asked the Lord,“ Is this where you want
us?" It certainly was even more than I was expecting.
We decided to go again the next
Sunday morning just to affirm our feeling that we were in our new church
home. Afterward my husband and I both
felt the peace of the Holy Spirit fill our hearts. As I looked out over the tranquil mountains
on our drive home, I was full of praise and thanksgiving for what the Lord had
done. It was another special moment with
God. These Scripture verses came pouring
into my heart.
Now
to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work
within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
(Ephesians
3:20-21)
Keep
on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking,
and you will find. Keep on
knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
(Matthew
7:7)
During
the long nine years of waiting, I had kept on asking and seeking his perfect
place for us. Finally,
the door opened.
Has this journey been easy? No, but I know
through this experience that my God really
does supply all my needs. And I will do as Psalm 146:1-2 directs:
Praise
the LORD, O my soul.
I will praise the LORD all my life;
I
will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
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