Feeling amazed. Found the journal entry from the day I started praying for the woman who would eventually buy my old house (the story that is the premise for my whole book). On 9/29/07, four months after putting our house on the market, I wrote these words:

If it means we have to wait, we have to wait — but I have the sense that You’re having to move someone else. You have to set something in place to make that person ready to be able to buy our house. So, Lord, my prayer changes. Bless that person, God. Touch them, be with them, speak to them. Pour out Your blessings on them, guide them, prepare them, move them…. Answer their prayers — whether it’s the sale of their own house, or a move into town, or a job offer or promotion… whatever the need, Lord, I know You already have the means to meet it….

As I write this, I feel the significance. Maybe I needed to quit worrying about MY house selling, or MY financial situation, and pray for someone else. She (whoever she is) needs the prayers and it shows my trust that all things worketh together for the good of those who love Him. And I do, you know.

I started praying for her at the end of September, three months before she moved to Indiana (and about the same time we moved into our new house). Six months later, her husband asked for a divorce. Then a whole lot of things had to happen before she could buy our old house — a year and a half later.

As I’m finishing up my manuscript, I’m looking back and checking details. The whole idea of my book was set in motion that day. I knew this, or I wouldn’t be writing the book, but I didn’t know then where it would all lead. I had my moments when I wavered. Fear still snuck in. But I held on tight, and as a result, I got to see Him work. The amazing thing to me is reading the exact words I wrote at that time. I couldn’t have possibly known what would happen. I didn’t know Rosanne or her family. I didn’t know what God would do. I couldn’t imagine we could hold on that long or make ends meet. I never dreamed of the blessings my family would receive. I just wanted relief from our financial situation, and I trusted God to bring us through.

And because I was open to whatever it would look like, I got to see it. I can’t tell you how grateful I am.

**WINNER** I forgot to promote this giveaway this week, but it’s OK that I have no new subscribers. I’m so grateful for those of you who are already here, so I’m glad to give away another gift. The winner is [drumroll please, to the tune of Little Drummer Boy]… tyroper from http://firstnovelblog.wordpress.com/. The prize is his choice of Matt Appling’s fabulous book, Life After Art, or a Create Every Day mini journal. Two more giveaways to come, on December 23 and 30th…