"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”—John 15:5

John 15:5 has an extra special meaning to me. Thirteen years ago, my husband and I were wanting to find a home that had a little more space. We had been looking in a few different areas but there always seemed to be something that one of us didn’t like. Our good friend was our real estate agent. After a year of looking with us, he pretty much knew what we were wanting. It got to the point where he would go view the house first before he would call us to look at it.

I was starting to get discouraged and was beginning to think maybe God was closing the doors on the move. I really loved our house and that my children were going to the schools that I went to as a child. I was comfortable where we were but couldn’t shake the feeling that God was leading us elsewhere.

Finally, our friend called us one day and said, Lisa, I found your house. You need to come look at it ASAP. It will have an offer today. I was unavailable. I told him to call my husband. Fortunately, he was in town and was able to go. My husband called me and said, This is it. This is the house. My response was, Put an offer on it. He questioned me, Are you sure you don’t want to look at it first? 

I had been praying for God to reveal to my husband where we were supposed to live. He was super picky so I knew if he loved it then I would too. There were 4 contracts on the house by the end of the day. We were the first ones. Our offer was not the highest, but the owners felt as if we were the ones that were supposed to get the house. 

When I finally got to visit the house, we sat down at the table, looked up and saw a plaque built into the wall with John 15:5. I knew that was a sign from God that we were making the right decision. I had no idea that the owners were Christians. After meeting the wife, she told me they prayed about the offers and felt as if we were supposed to be in the house. 

This neighborhood has been such a blessing to our family. While many have moved away, we still enjoy neighborhood get togethers as well as if we hear of a need, we send out a text to bring meals or pitch-in for a gift card. 

One of the biggest blessings that has come from our home was the union between my son and his wife. He literally married the girl next door. They went to high school together and were friends, but they didn’t really hang out together. Definitely nothing ever romantic between the two of them. 

After my son graduated from college, when he was looking for an apartment, he chose one where her older brother and sister lived. After she graduated, she moved home for a few months. There isn’t a whole lot to do for young adults in our area, so she spent quite a bit of time at her brother and sister’s place. Her brother and sister were Team Brandon and had a secret motto, Brandon for brother-in-law. 

They celebrated their 4- year wedding anniversary in March and we also recently found out we are going to be grandparents in October! I could have never imagined that part of God’s plan for this house was for my son to meet his future wife. God is so good. It didn’t make sense that it took us over a year to find this home, but God knew all along this was where He wanted us.

I don’t know what you are praying for, but don’t lose heart. God knows the bigger picture. I was on my knees for a year praying for God to open or close doors on our move Actually, I was praying, Lord, slam the door shut if we aren’t supposed to move.

We were in a waiting period. Some waiting periods for us may be longer. You could be praying for a job, finances, a prodigal child or a loved one that doesn’t know Jesus. Whatever it is, God is with you and will never leave or forsake you. The enemy wants you to stop praying and believe God doesn’t hear you. God’s Word tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, to pray without ceasing and in Deuteronomy 31:8 “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Dear Lord,

I thank You for being such a loving Father. No matter what is happening in my life that You are with me. You will never leave me or forsake me. Forgive me when I doubt Your provisions. I give You praise for answered prayers and for those in which I am in a waiting period. Your timing is perfect. Help me to remember that You are my power source and while I may not understand why my prayers aren’t being answered, I trust You know what is best for me . It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

May Memory Verse

“It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.” –2 Corinthians 3:5 (NLT) 

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