Embracing Uncertainty In Big Decisions

I’m not sure that anyone embraces uncertainty well. Yes, some of us are more adventurous than others and some like to plan more than others. However, does anyone truly LOVE to go into a situation unsure of its outcome? Especially when it is a a big life decision like buying a house. We like to be extra confident when it comes time to call the big shots, am I right?!

A Situation Arises

Let me paint you a picture of our lives five years ago. We are living in our starter home with big dreams of paying it off in ten years, and then building our forever home on a large property in the right school district. What can I say we are planners! Our daughter is a spunky little two year old and my son was about to make his big debut into the world in two months.

I had been warned with the second child you rarely get their nursery ready before they arrive. Well being the overachiever I am I had the nursery fully decorated by month 6, checkity-check!

The Excitement

Two months out from D-Day we receive word that the house beside my in-laws is about to go on the market. I know some of you shutter at the thought of living beside your in-laws but mine are wonderful, helpful, and very respective of our space…so this was a big positive for us.

The house sits on a beautiful piece of land with 8 acres and a large pond. It has a large wood working shop near the pond with a covered shelter that is perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities and gatherings. The perfect location for my kiddos to grow, explore, and spread out on.

The Sticky Points

Everything sounds like a win right?! Well, time was not on our side as we needed to be in and settled within two months before little man arrived. That was a hard date and for all we knew it could be sooner. Scary!

Renters had left the house in a not so desirable condition. New flooring and painting had to be completed before we moved in.

The school district was not desirable. We would have to look into alternative options.

Financially, we always prioritize being able to live comfortably off one salary. You never know what can happen, but especially during this time in our lives. I knew I was being called to take some time off to be with our young children.

We were hyper vigilant the first go around about making smart decisions financially when buying a house. Though this new house was not out of our budget it was definitely more then what we had plan to take on at the time.

Talk about a triple whammy! Here we sat two months out from having a second child, me contemplating taking time off from work, and now possibly taking on a big move that would require some remodels.

Following God’s Plan

After a lot of thoughtful consideration and many prayers, in the two days we had to decide, haha! Nothing like uncertainty and a quick timeline. We knew we were being called to this opportunity as a family and had to figure out how to navigate the sticky points.

The Process Begins

We quickly put our current house on the market. Man did we get lucky and sold on our first showing. Luck or part of the plan…hmmm.

The owner of our new house, a family friend, agreed to let us get started on the remodeling while everything cleared with the bank. (I know this could be tricky if you don’t know the seller, but if you are ever in this situation draw up a contract laying out the what if’s and buy renters insurance to cover any damage that can occur during the remodel. Always smart to cover all the bases.)

It is a good thing that I wanted to be an interior decorator in a past life because picking out paint colors for a whole house, two new flooring options for five rooms, all new light fixtures, and door hardware in a matter of a week or two is no easy task, shew!

In all honesty, the true hero was my husband from start to finish. I just got to do the fun stuff. He managed all of the execution from legal works, to remodel crews, and the physical moving aspect.

Asking for Help

When it came time to move I obviously was no help in lifting and very little in packing. The packing master, my mom, swooped in and helped get everything sorted into boxes and unpacked into its designated spots upon arrival. Thank you Lord for helpful parents! Seriously, without the help of all four of our parents this move would have never happened in the the timeframe that it did.

Lighten The Load

• We hired a moving crew to lighten my husbands load
• We hired a cleaning lady to clean our new house to lighten my load

No every box didn’t get unpacked, let’s be honest the first year! Thank goodness for basements. No the new nursery wasn’t complete. No all my check points were not checked. Everything was not perfect. What we did start was two new adventures; bringing a new life into this world and creating hopefully a forever home for our family.

The Blessing

Writing this out brought back so many feelings of overwhelm. However, sweet friend, I’m here to tell you it all worked out. It was God’s plan for our life.

Too look back on it now, it is easy to see. At the time, it was a big step for us. While we knew we were making the right decision, we didn’t know what the future would hold. Leaning into your fears is hard. What it did for us was strengthen our faith and awareness to know God’s voice.

Our Fear’s Resolution

• I was able to take a year off with my kiddos and the extra room to roam made the year so much more enjoyable.

• When covid hit we were not confined to a tight living quarters we had nature at our back door.

• We have had countless get togethers at the “Shop” which brought family and friends together. Not to mention a beautiful spot for mom getaway nights with my girlfriends. We know those moments with others are so important.

• Our fear over school district was quickly resolved with an introduction of an affordable christian school only 15 mins from our house. That also coincidently has a preschool program for my son. Can I get a whoop whoop for one location drop off and pick up ladies?! IYKYK

Whether or not, we were ready for it or it was a part of our plan. It was and is where we are meant to be.

Takeaway

Our first go around buying a house we did everything right. We didn’t buy too much house. We bought with the potential to have a good resell. We chose our buying price vs letting the bank tell us how much we could afford. We put extra money to the payment each month hoping to pay it off within ten years. Then our plan would be to find that right piece of land in the good school district to build on.

The second time around we let go of the control and we trusted Him in embracing the uncertainty.

God creates us to be goal achievers, but He desires us to let those goals go when He calls us to go down His path.

“Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat, they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than they are.” – Matthew 6:26

Looking back over the years there are so many moments of uncertainty that I was forced to choose a path on. I know in the future there will be many more, but through this experience and others I know to lean into God and listen to His guidance. Let His will, not mine, be done!

Do you have a big decision coming up? Turn to God ask for His help and be ready for Him to speak to you through meditation or everyday signs. If it is His will things will align. If you would like, let me know below what you have coming up and I will pray with you dear friend. Power of prayer is mighty!

Until next time.