Ok, so we spent 9 days last week looking at every house and apartment for rent in West Ashley, nine days of mapping out directions from house to house. Sure, we were “on vacation”, but primarily worked on finding our place to live when we get to Charleston. By the end of the week we were more exhausted than when we started “our vacation”, but we did settle on an amazing apartment that was a deal we couldn’t pass up. The apartment is a 1550 sq. ft. 3bedroom 2 bath, with a fireplace, and is on the ground floor for $899/mo. It has all the amenities: pool, work-out area, movie theater, and a dog park! Not to mention, it was smack dab in the middle of the area we are planting. At decision time, it was a no-brainer. When we got home we were relieved to have that step behind us. We could now focus on the upcoming move.
The apartment manager told us that we could not put the apartment on hold until 20 days out, but assured us that they had 6 apartments open and that it was practically impossible for all of the apartments to go that fast. This past Wednesday we got an e-mail from the complex saying that they had 2 apartments left and that the special deal was gong to end on Feb. 5th. That meant that we would have to move by Feb. 25th (if any apts. are even available by then). I can’t leave my job until March 1st at the earliest. So, needless to say we are not going to be able to get the apartment.
Now, we are planners, and like to have all the answers as soon as possible. So, you can imagine that my first reaction to the news was confusion and frustration. I say all of this not to vent or complain, but to confess how I know that God’s hand is holding mine. A year ago, before I had to place so much faith and trust in God’s control, back when I thought I could control the situation and found comfort in my own abilities, I would have assured myself that “I’ll take care of it”. I am learning that I am saying “He’ll take care of it” as my first state of thought, instead of my next to last resort. I don’t say this out of laziness. I don’t think that I can just sit back, kick my feet up, and let God do all the work for me. No, I know that from now until we land a place to live we will be researching, making phone calls, and e-mailing; not out of panic, but out of faithfulness and the knowledge that our God IS. And that, my friends, is the only shelter I need.
~M
