Our Times Are in His Hands
“The Bible tells us that our times are in God’s hands. That means that God is bigger than time, dates, and appointments. God’s plans for your life do not hinge on someone else’s schedule. God’s plans for your life cannot be frustrated by what others do or don’t do. God knows where you’ve been, He knows where you are, and He knows where He is leading you. His plans for you are made according to His wisdom, His love, and His power to perform them.
God wants you to move through this day with a quiet heart, an inward assurance that He is in control, a peaceful certainty that your life is in His hands, a deep trust in His plan and purposes, and a thankful disposition toward all that He allows. He wants you to put your faith in Him, not in a timetable. He wants you to wait on Him and wait for Him. In His perfect way He will put everything together…see to every detail…arrange every circumstance…and order every step to bring to pass what He has for you.”
From “Our Times Are in His Hands” by Roy Lessin, Co-Founder DaySpring Cards
Glen and I have been finding this writing to be so true as we pursue the next step for us. The questions are “Are we to live in Oregon or Colorado?? Will Glen have a job or will this be early retirement?” On May 14 Glen received his 60 day layoff notice from Tektronix where he had worked 25 years. In two weeks he turned 62. Three options seemed possible:
1. Find a job in Oregon and stay.
2. Find a job in Colorado … preferably in Colorado Springs. We lived in Colorado almost 27 years before Glen and I moved to Oregon as a transfer with Tektronix.
3. Retire early … preferably in Colorado Springs so we can be close to our son, Andy, in Denver (60 miles away)and closer to Peter and Rachel in Springfield, MO, and closer to the rest of our family… all east of the Rockies except Glen’s brother, Ken, who is on the CO/UT border in Grand Junction.
Our realtor friend, Linda Eaton, encouraged us to get our home on the market and to have staging consultants guide us in preparing to do so. We felt it was good to get the ball rolling whatever may be our next step. We did all the staging consultants (Presentation Staging) recommended which included all bookcases and books packed, personal items, etc. away with everything open and inviting. Linda recommended a neutral coat of paint .. Toasted Cashew. It all was/is awesome! It appears having your home look great on the internet is vital in this day and age … and economy. We put the house on the market June 26 (showed it once that day) and headed to CO for a planned family vacation the next day. At two weeks we had a good offer on the house… God definitely at work for that to happen!! We heard about the offer the day before coming home… to accept the offer and began the process of all involved to sell your home!
Glen was not hearing anything from the applications he had out here in Portland. As we prepared to move out of the house our sights were/are on Colorado. This has been reasonable since two of our options are in CO and no news from the third – Portland. One week before the day we were to leave for Colorado Glen heard back from Maxim Integrated Products. www.maxim-ic.com As I write this he is interviewing … 9:00-2:00 with six people individually. After a phone interview on Monday and a call for in house interviews on today, Tuesday, came on Wednesday within 24 hours of the second POD being picked up. We still had to pack our extra stuff in a UHaul truck on Thursday and get out by Friday possession at 8:00 a.m. Long story… we had 15 minutes to spare. In the midst of everything we sat down and determined Glen would always wonder if he did not at least interview. We decided to delay our departure. Whatever the outcome is will confirm whether God’s plan is OR or CO!!
We had a restful weekend staying at our friends’ home (who also hosted a farewell party for us Aug 1) while they were gone for the weekend. It is a unique situation to be planning for two different directions. Yesterday we made an appointment to have a hitch put on our Jimmy so we can tow a UHaul trailer to CO and we also went to see an apartment very close to Maxim.
We are so thankful we have been reminded many times in this process to SURRENDER and TRUST and flow with the details He is orchestrating. It was wonderful to see this theme confirmed to us and others at church on Sunday.
May God be glorified through our lives. #1 has been the miraculous sale of our home… the lady is so very happy to have found our home and it is a blessing to her as we had prayed would happen. #2 will be His direction in this next step and ”growing us” in this process.
Will let you know what happens!!
