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.
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???
WWI, actually.
In any case, I'm glad you're at peace with your situation. I will have to deal with something similar, eventually.
The Lord has a way of using the trivial to remind us of the sublime.
Bless you.
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'm convinced there is 'something' to it...but it's meaning is I'm sure different for different people/circumstances...though I'm wondering if it's origins are likely from the same place.
Not a particularly religious person myself and I don't tend to buy into conspiracy/other far-out theories much, but it's happened to me enough times over the last few years as to not simply pass it off as just "coincidence".
If(in this instance anyway)it has brought you peace of mind, I'd say you found the meaning(this "time" around).
Good luck to you.
I learned a new word the other day and thought it might be appropriate to share. "Godwink." Urban Dictionary defines it as "An occurence so odd and out of the ordinary, it had to be put in place by God. A wink from God letting you know you're in the right direction."
The context here is, I lost my best friend to cancer a few weeks ago, and the other day, his first name, as the name of a town, turned up on a map of the area where a project we had been working on, was set. I had seen this map before, several (dozen?) times, but his first name had never come up before on it, much less the name of a town -- and it was even highlighted. Another friend, who introduced me to the word "Godwink", said it was his way of letting us know he was still watching over us.
So I hope the 11:11 was your "Godwink". :-)
You have honored your mother and father and in keeping His commandment you should feel peace and love.
I agree with others who suggest your share the history with the buyer after the deal is made. They will love knowing the story of your home.
I believe 100% that “signs” are revealed to us. Following my Mom’s passing in 2013, there were several in the form of personalized license plate messages. The first came a day or two after her death and was in a grocery store parking lot and happened when I rounded the corner seeing “GR8MOM.” The second was several months later when I hurriedly pulled into a parking spot and needing to be there before the store was closed and her lifelong nickname was the message plate on the car. Out of an entire state of license plates, what’s the odds of that happening?! Fortunately, I was able to take pictures of both with either a regular camera or cell phone, with the thought of showing them to family and friends thinking, “...you aren’t going to believe this” and thanking Mom for sending signs that she was OK.
Know your home sale is a difficult process right now, but you have taken that step forward to begin to live your future. Both of your parents would want you to enjoy the rest of your life and live it to the fullest.
T & P sent your way, and straight ahead, FRiend!