There’s a Blessing in the Storm

I am grateful for my home. Because I was raised by my grandparents (maternal and paternal), I always prayed to God for my own home and family. In 1987, I thought that God had answered my prayer when I got married after a 2 ½ year courtship. However, in 2005, the marriage ended in divorce and my vision of what my home and family would look like died. I felt like a failure and honestly, I even felt like God had failed me. He knew the desires of my heart and it was all gone. So when God told me to not take anything from the home I had shared with my ex-husband and children, as crazy as it sounded to me and others, I listened. I followed His command to a T. 

I had been looking for a home during the divorce process but had not found “the place” I wanted to start my new life. A co-worker told me about an apartment complex near the hospital that might be available. It was a perfect fit! Not only did I get the apartment because of an answered prayer offered up by my then 17 year old son, when I was in doubt, but I also got a discount because of where I was employed…look at God!

Once I was approved for the apartment, I immediately began to look for furniture because of course God wouldn’t tell me to leave everything behind and not provide for me, right? Not only did he provide but He showed up and showed out!!! My prayer warrior friend, Verline, went with me to shop for the furniture. I filled out the credit application and the salesperson told me to go pick out what I wanted. I didn’t think anything of it at the time but when my name was called to come back to the office, it was to assure me that I had received enough credit to furnish all but one room in the apartment. Look at God step in and furnish that room through my daughter who was in college at the time. Everything was new!!! But here’s the abundant blessing part; because of hurricane Katrina, the furniture I had originally chosen was not available so they gave me an upgrade!!! Next blessing, my co-workers decided to give me a housewarming and guess what?!…more new stuff!!! 

Fast forward to mid-year of 2007, God gave me the opportunity to build a new home. Even with doubt that I wouldn’t be approved to build the home, I went to the bank and filled out the credit application. Of course, I was approved!! The ground was broken on my new home in October 2007 and on April 25, 2008, I signed the papers to close on my new home. It’s been 11 years since I have moved into this home and every day, I thank God.

This home has been the meeting place for Bible studies, birthday parties, an engagement party, game nights, Sunday dinners, Top Chef competitions, Easter dinners, and the annual New Year’s Day fish fry. I have my home and family, peace of mind, love and joy. What I thought was failure on my part and abandonment by God was really a blessing. The divorce turned out to be one of the greatest blessings for me because it taught me to fast, pray and follow God’s instructions. I developed a more intimate relationship with God. Sometimes your greatest hurt turns out to be your greatest blessing. #wepreach