Do you ever have a day when you think, “What am I doing here?” I had one of those recently. In fact, I was kind of whiny about it. “Why, God? Why me? Why this city? What is the purpose of it all?” Fortunately, it was a day when I was meeting with my Breakfast and Bible Study group, which meant I didn’t have too much time to wallow. Let’s just say, I was distracted enough to be looking out the window when – WHAM – God hit me over the head with the answer. I had been looking at it for over a year, but never really perceiving it. There before my eyes was the image I had been drawing all my life – mountains with a river-like cut down the center of them that leads to an oasis of color – sometimes water and sometimes field of green. I also realized that the drawings were always drawn from the perspective of an eagle looking out at the horizon from a lofty place. On this day, I realized I was looking at the picture from that exact angle. It felt like God was showing me that He had prepared this place and this time for me from early childhood. This was not an accident or something I just wanted to have happen – it was planned way in advance, so that I could have a reminder that I was in the middle of God’s plan for my life. That doesn’t mean that I won’t still have “What am I doing here?” days, but I now have a deep conviction that I am in the right place, even if I have not yet perceived all the details. I’m confident that, at the right time, God will reveal the next step in what I am doing here! How about you? Are you seeing, but not perceiving, God’s answers right in front of you?

I was struggling with what God wanted me to do next with my life. Well, to be honest I was being a Gideon and wanted God to confirm what I thought I was being prompted to do. So, I asked God, “What do you want me to do?” During my quiet time with God the very next day I read Isaiah 30:8 (NASB) 

“Now go, write it on a tablet before them
And inscribe it on a scroll,
That it may serve in the time to come
As a witness forever.”

It made me laugh – God really can answer prayers very directly and specifically. This led me start this blog. It also came at just the right moment, so that I could participate in a free Memoir Writing and a Self-Publishing class at my local library. As I work on writing my memoir, I am thankful for God’s clarity that day, otherwise I would probably give up. Writing a memoir is not for the faint of heart. Try asking God direct questions.  You never know what might happen.

As I look out the screen door of our living room… something is different. We are now looking at our son’s bedroom window. So, what does that have to do with being on a God Hunt?

Over the past year we have been praying for ways to cut our expenses. Our son is 33 years old and unable to work because of several issues. However, these issues, according to the government, are not significant enough to get disability payments. This means that we have been supporting him financially, so that he doesn’t end up on the streets – while still allowing him to maintain his independence.

This is an answer to prayer that I never expected, nor did I really want. Recently, one of our neighbors died after a prolonged illness. As a result, his housemate was looking for someone to rent the vacant room to help offset household expenses. This room is a little larger than the studio apartment we have been renting for our son and includes a private bathroom. The asking price for the room is about $250 less that we have been paying. Yes, it seems like a match made in heaven. This allows our son to still have his independence, while we reduce our expenses, our neighbor gets a renter, and it is easier for us to help our son when issues come up.

I am sad that our neighbor is no longer around. However, I am amazed that God has used this awful circumstance to answer our prayers and for that I’m thankful.