Learning Curve or Patient God?
As many of you know, I am going through the process of selling and buying a house. I have prayed diligently and all along I have said I trust God to provide and direct (1 Pet. 5:7). While making this size of financial decision is important and I believe God wants us to be good stewards of the blessings He provides, I have even said that this is not a decision with direct eternal impact. We can get to heaven from our current address or any other where we land.
So why, last week when a housing inspection put the sale of our current home in jeopardy and ultimately placed the one we thought we wanted to buy out of reach, was I in tears? Do I not really believe the things I’ve been saying? Do I doubt God’s goodness?
I told my parents I am obviously just a slow learner (hence the first part of our title). After all, I know that James 1:6 tells us to “ask in faith with no doubting.” And I believe that the Lord provides (Gen. 22:14). But there I was, sobbing and asking why things were so hard.
Now, here I am a week later, with the problems on the current house resolved and taking the kids to look at a great option tonight in a price range where I am much more comfortable. So am I just slow or is God just merciful. While I’m sure there is evidence for the first, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the second is true.
When Peter had denied Jesus three times, he was also allowed to come back and affirm his love for Christ three times. When Paul was persecuting Christians, he was allowed to use that mistaken zeal to turn around and teach countless souls the gospel. I could go on and on with examples but the truth will not change: God is merciful and patient with us … even those of us who are slow learners. I repent for of my weakness and am thankful for God’s patience with me.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
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AUTHOR: Amber Tatum
