Convicted!

As many of you know, Andy and I have had our house on the market since July. This has been a much longer journey than I ever could have imagined. I really thought our cute little house with the huge kitchen would sell quickly. (Yes I do believe God is teaching me to patient and trust in this process). I have been praying a lot about the sell of our house. I believe God knows that my heart desires a house with more room for storage and another bedroom for family growth. No, I'm not expecting, but would like to have baby #2 someday! I believe God is also trying to refine me throughout this process. A few months ago I was convicted that we needed to be saving more money if we want a bigger house with a bigger mortgage. At the beginning we were so good about putting extra money in the savings and making wise spending choices because we just knew that we would be closing on homes in the near future. Well weeks turned into months and the old spending habits snuck back in.

Just this past Tuesday Lyla and I went shopping with my sweet friend, Kallee. Kallee is getting married in May (yay!!!!!) and Lyla is going to be the flower girl. (And yes, I'm behind on practicing the throwing of the flowers.) While shopping I found the cutest black and white wedges that would go just perfect with the dress I wanted to wear to the wedding. I told myself that if theywere still there next month, when I'm not throwing Lyla's second birthday and celebrating Easter,I would buy them then. But then the shopping bug hit and I went back into the store to by them. I mean the were only $30, what could that hurt?

Well, fast forward to Thursday morning. I was deep in prayer about God selling our house. We had a showing set up for Thursday night and I was begging God to allow these people to be the buyers. Then I heard Him loud and clear, "Aubrey, you want a new home, but you are not being a good steward of your money. What is more important, the shoes or the house?" Wow! Talk about a smack in the face. Now, $30 is not that much when it comes to buying a home, but I don't think that was the point. The lesson was in being obedient to God and being a good steward. So I made Him a deal. Yes, I was still trying to figure out a way to be obedient, but get what I wanted. Here's the deal...if the receipt says full moneyback, then I'll return the shoes. But, if I'm only going to get store credit, then what's the point? Now, I should no better than to make a deal with God. As if the creator of the universe doesn't have the power to change wording on a receipt if necessary. So I checked the receipt, and sure enough....full money back within 30 days. The shoes are now in my car waiting be returned.