Be Still

Thank you to all who commented on my last post.  It's been a hard few months, so it's nice to know that my efforts on my blog are appreciated. I, too, am VERY guilty of reading and not commenting on others' blogs.

I've got a few posts rolling around in my head, but today, I've decided to post this one.

I have been very stressed out lately - A LOT.  Some of you may remember last November when I posted about the closing on our new home.  We bought our new home before we sold our old home.  Normally, I would NEVER have considered this as I know it is financially NOT smart (especially in this housing market).  However, I truly believed (and still do) that God wanted us to have this new home and it's purchase could not be contingent on the sale of our old home.  (It was a short sale)  So, we finally got our old home on the market in early Jan and it sat, and sat, and sat.  Other homes in our neighborhood were moving like hot-cakes.  We were getting tons of showings and positive feedback, but no offers.  We finally lowered our price and started getting offers.  At first, they were lowball, then we started getting some reasonable offers.

We signed a contract, the buyers inspected the house and then backed out.  When they told their current landlord that they were moving, he made them an offer they couldn't refuse.

Then we ended up getting a 2nd offer and signing that contract.  We spent over 30 days working with that buyer (got past the inspection issues) and waiting for them to submit all of their paperwork for their mortgage.  Unfortunately, they dropped the ball and then backed out on us.  The only up-side to that escapade is that we did get the escrow deposit.

Then we got a 3rd offer that went to contract.  However, the day after the inspection, they backed out on us because the house is in the wrong school district.  They knew that to start with.  We have been in protracted negotiations trying to get the escrow deposit, but to no avail so far.  Unfortunately, we are probably going to have to take them to small claims court on this one. 

The biggest down-side to all of this is that our house was off of the market for 65 of the 90 days of summer.  So, our house is still on the market and we are going to put a new roof on it ($$$$).  The roof is actually fine, just old.  Unfortunately, what we have discovered is that the insurance companies don't care and if the roof is old, they jack up the cost to a ridiculous level.  We found this out with the first contract and have finally had time to get everything in place to have the work done.  Hopefully, even though this wasn't an issue with any of the prevoius contracts, it will help the house sell quicker. 

So, why did I title this "Be Still"?  God has spoken these words to me on two separate occassions recently.  I then came across an e-book recently with that in the title (I'll link to it later).  I began reading it and have so far taken Chapter 1 to heart.  The author recommends taking time each day (even if just for 5 minutes) to Be Still and listen to God.  So, starting this past Monday, I have done that. 

On my way to work, there are a couple of great spots for me to stop and experience God through His creation.  So I have.  And God has spoken words of peace to me in those places.  Since this post is getting so long already, I'll write separate posts about what else God is speaking to me in this time of stress.  I'm hoping/praying that taking time to "Be Still" will help me deal with this stress and become the cheerful, happy, fun mom that my family deserves.