Posted on 02/05/2015 12:26:13 PM PST by Vermont Lt
I put my parent's house in VT on the market Saturday. My Dad built this home with his own hands. He cut every log, and hammered most every nail (Well, we kids helped.).....
My Dad built this home with his own hands. He cut every log, and hammered most every nail (Well, we kids helped.) I helped on every part of it, except the roof that went on two weeks before my wedding. He promised my future wife that he would not let me fall to my death from the roof before I got married.
I signed the contract on Saturday morning, but I had arrived at the house on Thursday night. As I went to bed on Friday night, I was thinking about whether I was doing the right thing. I had gone through the entire process in my head for weeks now. Sure there were options beside selling it.
I could not afford the crazy Vermont non-resident property taxes. My mom's legal situation would not allow us to rent it. So, it came down to mortgaging it and dealing with maintenance four hours away, or selling it.
My mom, now in assisted living, gave me her blessing. And she made me feel OK. She told me that her time there was great, but without my Dad for the past ten years, she was ready to let it go.
However, I knew that Dad might be pissed about all of this. He put his soul into that house and I felt guilt about the decision. I could only imagine going through the rest of my life feeling as though I had let him down. He always wanted us to have the property and love it like he did.
I asked to give me a sign if this was OK. I don’t do that very often. I pray for direction, but not for signs. I needed this one. I feel asleep with this on my mind. I had a lot to do in the morning before meeting with the realtor. Quite honestly, I did not even think about it much while we went through the paperwork and walked the property.
With my work done, I packed my things and locked up the house to start my four hour drive back down Route 91. When i got in the truck, after signing the contract and getting ready to come back to MA, I started up the truck. I looked at the clock. The clock was at 11:11.
This was the sign I was looking for. 11:11 is an important sign for numerologists, but I know that is not the case. (In fact, I did not even realize that until I was telling someone this story. I guess you are supposed to make a wish when you see that. I never believed in that stuff.)
Because I knew the message in my heart without having to look at it. That was the time for the armistice for WWII. It was the basis for Veterans day. That holiday had a special meaning between my Dad and me.
In this context it is the time where the fighting stops, and peace starts. At that moment—and I mean that moment, my heart was filled with peace, love, a feeling that I was forgiven, and that everything would be OK, not matter what.
I stopped fighting the process, and started working in peace to close this out and move forward.
Dad, I know you cannot do that by yourself. I still respect your guidance, and your approval.
You know how much I miss you.
And I did not want to let this story go without a public “testimony.” I was worried and feeling anxious, and I turned it all over to my Lord, and he answered. He filled me with peace and the feeling of love that could only be described as a Father’s love for his son. It doesn't matter what happens next. I know I will be OK. I know this is all going to go the way it is supposed.
Thank you Lord, Praise Jesus.
I could not think of a more public place to tell this story.
I wanted everyone to know of my experience.
All the best to you, and yours for the future.
Amen and thank you.
We all need to hear each others stories, to realize that we are not alone in this journey and to tell of God's continual comfort, guidance and blessings.
May God RICHLY bless you at this time.
God bless you. Thanks for your testimony. Testimonies like yours of the power of JESUS in our lives are important for nourishing our faith.
...so now you can move to Texas, right? :-)
You did good.
But how is it that your Mom could not rent the house???
Be sure to tell whoever buys it your Father’s name, and the toil and sweat your Father put into it.
Maybe they won’t care, but I bet they will. People want to be involved with things that have purpose/love/care in them, just like they want to avoid the opposite. They will unknowingly honor him every time they tell friends or relatives how and when they came to own their house.
WWI, actually.
In any case, I'm glad you're at peace with your situation. I will have to deal with something similar, eventually.
I appreciated reading your story. I, too, am waiting for a “sign” for some direction for something life-altering. I pray every day for God to unfold everything as He wants it to be.
Thanks Vermont Lt, and God bless.
Hopefully the purchaser will cherish the house as much as your family has. Beautiful story.
The Lord has a way of using the trivial to remind us of the sublime.
It an estate thing. And, in any event at four hours away I am not interested in managing a property. It needs some work and I cannot commit to that, search for a job, and juggle Dr appointments for my mom and my 93 year old mother in law. It is simply too much. My siblings are happy to volunteer my services, but they are 1,000 miles away and haven’t been there in five years.
You know, I knew that. I am blaming fat fingers and auto correct!
Bless you.
Thanks. And God Bless you with taking care of your mom.
And you may have dodged a bullet by selling the house now. Instead of after your mother passes. I wish my mother had sold her home after Dad died and before she died. My brother is the Executor and he refuses to probate. He moved in and is giving the finger to the rest of the family.
Thank you for sharing your story. I do personally believe that we receive “signs from God”, most of which we simply miss in the busy-ness of our lives.
Best wishes for the home to sell quickly, at a fair price, and that the next owners shall cherish it as your family has.
Great story I am in the same boat....inherited this 1776 $$ pit and its time to go,no one else(sibs) care.
Just don’t know where and how to start
Your tribute helped
I suspect your Dad has a different view of the house now.
If Selling was not the right thing the process will not go smoothly.
May God Bless your family.
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