Unforced Rhythms of Grace

Closing day had finally arrived after more delays than I want to remember.  Our signing time was scheduled for 2 pm and it was my last morning in our home.  Tracy had to work that morning and would meet me just in time to load up the final items and say goodbye.

 

At first I was frustrated at being left alone to finish up the cleaning, but the truth was I was worried that the closing would be delayed again and I was tired of riding the emotional roller coaster.   As I cleaned the house I thought of the family that would be moving in and how they had been living in a camp trailer for two months.  I wanted to make sure the home was as clean as possible so they could move in without delay.

 

Being alone was also a gift from God so I could walk through each room and remember moments from the last 10 years and say my own goodbyes.  I was sentimentally attached and Tracy was always able to keep it as an investment mindset.   It really was a special morning and I felt at peace when we drove away.

 

At the title company we signed all the papers and it was unreal that it was finally happening.  Unreal was right.  After the papers were signed the agent informed us that the buyer at the beginning of the chain had missed one signature and it needed to be done before everything was final.  All other signatures for all the other homes were finished, we were just waiting for him.  He had be called about the signature and decide to go hunting and didn’t want to return until the next day.

 

I was crushed.  Everything was out of our home, everyone was on hold and we all wanted to hunt this man down and drag him to the title company.  At this point we had a decision to make.  We could go home and wait one more day or we could allow the buyers to move into the home.  Our realtor spoke with the seller of the home we were buying and he said we could stay in the house overnight in one room, but we couldn’t change one thing.

 

We had scheduled carpet to be installed a few days after the closing and that would have to be postponed again.  If we could begin pulling the old carpet we could stay on schedule, but the seller didn’t want any changes until he had a check in hand, even after we told him we would pay for the carpet if everything fell through.

 

So we let the family move in to the home and we went to the new house for the night.  We were only allowed to move a mattress in on the ground floor.  When we first toured the home it was filled with all the past owners belongings and it made the space seem smaller.  The previous owner had lived in the home for 40 years and had collected quite a few things.

 

Now the home was empty and we could see everything in greater detail.  It was still going to be an updating type of remodel, but the smell of cats in the carpet was overwhelming.  We moved in the bed after smashing several hobo spiders and I had to deep clean a bathroom to be able to use it.

 

That night I stood at the upstairs window and looked out at all the city lights, heard the noise and cried.  It felt like I was at a cheap motel in a big city.  I had just left what felt like a palace in the countryside.  As I cried, I prayed.  “Lord, I know You brought us here for a purpose.  Help me see that purpose and not complain.”

 

I didn’t sleep much that night because all I could think about was all the spiders crawling around and our mattress on the floor.  The next morning I sat on the floor in the kitchen and had my quiet time with God.  He gave me the following verse.

 

Matthew 11: 28-30 (NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

 

Matthew 11: 28-30 (Message)

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

 

I would say that was perfect timing.  Yes I was tired, worn out, weary and needed rest.  But He wanted me to learn something more; the “Unforced Rhythms of Grace.”  In situations where I feel I am at the end of my rope, He wants me to have real (unforced) rhythms (a repetition of character type) of Grace (unmerited favor).  In summary, He wants me to have a natural and continuous attitude of grace.

 

If I would look at this situation with grace, my whole attitude could change.  So that’s what I did.  I decide that the house needed a good cleaning and while I waited for the signature I cleaned.  I began to look at the house as our next great adventure rather than a cheap motel with a spider problem.

 

By the end of the day not only was the house clean, but my heart was too.  I was dancing around as I listened to music and was exploring every inch of my new home as I imagined what it would look like when the remodel was finished.  My burden was lifted and I found peace for my soul which was a great thing because in the end it took 3 more days before the check was in hand and the home was officially ours.  I think He was giving me opportunities to practice what He was teaching me.  God is good!

 

My prayer

Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I will look to the Lord; 

 I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me

 

Father, Thank you for teaching me and meeting me right where I am.  You always have the right words for me and I pray that I will live out what you give me.  Develop a unforced rhythm of grace in me.  Amen

 

Where does my help come from?

 

Matthew 11: 28-30