The Longest “House” Search
Can’t believe it.
Yet I can.
Back house hunting
Not again.
These were my thoughts two weeks ago, as I hung up the phone after another long circular discussion with the owner of the house I had been negotiating to buy. I knew I would not be calling him back. For all that seemed right about the house, it wasn’t right.
Why?
It’s not like I didn’t know what I was looking for. I have a spreadsheet with 60 some items I desire in a home – each weighted according to importance. There’s really more than 60 items. I just stopped at 60 as …well …I got sick of weighing them every time I came across another possibility. It also seemed like a cold way to determine “home”. But it does help to sort priorities when desires and needs get confused.
You see, I didn’t just start this search last fall. I’ve been searching, off and on, for years.
For a house!?
Well… it’s a bit more than just a house. I’m looking for a place with a purpose beyond home. I’m looking for a place that is first and foremost for people, a place that is safe for inner city kids, a place with a design studio, a gallery for photography, a garden for beauty, a park for recreation and exercise, a place conducive to writing, a place I can just lock the door and leave for Russia or Louisiana or wherever, a place that is accessible for the handicapped and works as an assisted living home for one with Parkinson’s, a place that is a respite for an introvert, a place to spend time alone with God, and a place where I can be amongst the people God would have me be amongst.
Is this a house?
If it can happen in a house great, but I’m not so much looking for a house as I am a place to fulfill the purposes God has given. I’ve looked at condos, lofts, raw warehouse space, auto garages, storefronts, industrial buildings, gyms, mansions, churches, and vacant lots. You name it, I’ve probably considered it.
I have found it can be a bit of a challenge to explain these things to real estate agents. None of the things they use to market a property – hardwood floors, stainless appliances, granite countertops, made my spreadsheet.
Ultimately, there’s only one criteria that matters – God. Where would he have me be?
And how would I know?
He could make this so much simpler by just taking a few clouds and spelling it out. I know he can do “t”s.
photo | Te
In the end, God didn’t need to write anything in the sky. As events unfolded these past two weeks, it was pretty clear to me God was in control. The orchestration had God written all over it.
What happened? Coming in the next post.
I’ll tell you this: No more open houses!!! No more conversations like this one at a condo:
Agent, “Been looking long?”
Me, “A few years.”
“Do you have an agent?”
“God.”
“Looking for a condo?”
“I don’t know.”
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