Storms, Surprises, and Surrender
God is so amazing in so many ways. He continues to blow my mind at every turn. As I write this, I am lounging in His current gift to us—a beautiful beach house—enjoying time with both Him and my husband. We arrived on Friday afternoon, and shortly after, a wonderful storm rolled in to join us. It stormed off and on through Sunday afternoon, but we were cozy and content, listening to the rain and resting together inside the condo.
Friday was full of surprises and emotions. I was thrilled to get on the road with Tom and spend time together at the beach. We love driving together; some of our best conversations happen on the road. Combined with the fact that I hadn’t been to the beach all year, seeing the ocean again and breathing in the salty air felt like a gift in itself. It was a beautiful beginning to our time away.
Later that afternoon, while Tom and I were reading and discussing a few articles online, his phone rang. Surprisingly, it was a pastor from church we hadn’t heard from in quite some time. He was calling to share an opportunity he thought we might be interested in. He was officiating a wedding at a bed and breakfast, and the owners were looking for a couple—not an individual—to serve as live-in caretakers. He asked if we would be interested. We said yes, and he gave us her number, suggesting we call the next morning.
When we did, she shared that the pastor had highly recommended us and asked when we could come by to walk through the house and discuss responsibilities and expectations. Since we were out of town, we scheduled a meeting for Thursday. How incredible is that? The more I think about it, the more excited I become.
When we first moved to North Carolina, Tom and I often talked about how much we would love to have a bed and breakfast of our own. We love hospitality—welcoming people, cooking for them, and caring for others. And now, God seems to have laid something so similar right in our laps. I am truly in awe.
Then, later that evening, the tone shifted. I received the sad news that a dear friend had lost her battle with leukemia and gone home to be with the Lord earlier that day. My heart ached deeply. I had hoped to see her again before she passed, yet I knew she was now in a far better place. Holding sorrow and hope at the same time is such a strange tension. I allowed myself to grieve, even when my emotions felt illogical. Unfortunately, we were unable to attend her memorial services.
On Saturday, E called to let me know that little A was running a fever and they weren’t sure they would be able to join us at the beach on Sunday for my birthday. I was disappointed but completely understood. Thankfully, little A improved, and they were able to come after all. We spent the day together at the aquarium, playing on the beach, and then enjoyed dinner at a family-friendly place on the water. My birthday turned out to be wonderful, even though I missed A and C, who couldn’t come on such short notice.
As I continued thinking about the bed and breakfast opportunity, my initial response was excitement—it seemed like such a perfect situation. A place to stay rent-free, responsibilities similar to caring for our own home, and the opportunity to welcome friends, family, and even groups. We could help support the business, especially as the owners had begun hosting more weddings and events. It all sounded ideal.
And yet, I noticed something surprising in my own heart. I hesitated—not because it wasn’t good, but because I wondered if we would no longer be as dependent on God for provision in this area. Isn’t that strange? I’ve grown to love watching Him open doors in ways I never could have imagined. When I shared this with E, she laughed and reminded me that God would continue to do those miracles—just in other areas. Oh, the wisdom of a child… even at twenty-seven.
I’m also aware of how easily I can get caught up in my ideas of how things should unfold, setting expectations God may never have intended. At this point, nothing is settled yet. I’ve already begun imagining outcomes that may never come to pass. We will know more on Thursday.
Lord, help me keep my eyes fixed on You alone. Teach me to trust You with every detail—without adding my own agenda, input, or suggestions. Your plan is good, perfect, and far better than anything I could design. Thank You for being such a faithful and trustworthy God. I wait for Your will with joy and expectation. Amen.
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