When is a Sinkhole Good News?

My husband and I have been on a journey for many years, learning about seeking God’s guidance in our decision-making for big and small things. Our prayer mirrors a verse in the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

We believe that if we trust God’s direction, He will lead us step by step in the way that is best for us. We frequently ask Him to just reveal the next step. Sometimes we get ahead of Him but we are getting better at seeking His direction and then waiting. We are also getting better at accepting whatever He says, whether it’s to move forward or turn back.  I shared our story of our move to Iowa in an earlier post titled Monkey Bars. That story began with us asking God to show us if we were to move. He opened the doors wide and we moved forward.

Recently we had the opportunity to again ask for similar direction. During a trip to Florida, we felt like we should consider our options and began to look at property on the internet.  We had thought about how nice it would be for my husband to have workshop space that he could work in year round instead of the unheated space he currently has.  Of course, an added bonus is that we have six grandchildren living there! We happened to find a home that had a five-car garage. I could just see him drooling at the possibilities. We talked to the realtor and set up a time to visit the property. The night before, we gathered with my son and his family and prayed for crystal clear direction.

The next day we headed out to see the home.  We arrived before the realtor and decided to walk around the outside of the house while we were waiting. We rounded the corner of the house and were greeted with a stand of palm trees encircled with bright yellow CAUTION tape. In the middle of the circle was a sinkhole. We both looked at each other and knew that God had CLEARLY answered our prayer.  Can you get any clearer than a sinkhole in the back yard?

It was a clear answer and we were willing to accept it. God has a plan and it’s a good one….and it doesn’t include a sinkhole.  So we will continue on the path we’re on until He tells us otherwise, but we are always open to a new direction.  In a post called, Are You Willing to Go Wherever? I talked about what it means to follow Jesus anywhere.  Are you willing to ask God for clear direction and then follow Him anywhere?

Psalm 37:23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.