Plans amidst the waves

I saw the house I want to buy. It is on a huge lake, and right next to its dock is a rounded large rock, that slides into deep water. What fun the kids and their friends could have on this rock, all the way till they smashed their head open with the inevitable wrong step. I bobbed in my kayak and called the number posted on the dock.

"Are you the person selling the lake front house?" I asked, peering up the hill into the plateglass windows where the owner stood, talking on the phone.
"Yes," he said, "It has the finest view on the lake."
I glanced around me, "I can see that. How much are you asking?"

As I considered how even $100 would be too much to a family currently unemployed, I realized that there was a way we could afford the dream house. I began visualizing the form Disney would send for movie rights to my book.
"One million," Disney offered.
I kayaked and considered the offer. One million doesn't go far nowadays.
"Two," I countered, "And my son the lawyer will need to be sure it is all in order, of course."
"You drive a hard bargain," said Disney, "But because we feel so strongly that this is the best book ever written, we will offer you $3 million."
"Is that your final offer?" I asked, bobbing on the waves.
"Ok, 4," said Disney.

My castle building evaporated as a large wave from a passing jet-ski threatened to capsize the kayak. I paddled back towards the car, thinking how much my parents would enjoy having lunch on that beautiful deck on the cliff overlooking the lake. You never know. God brings visions and hopes for a reason.

Later when I told Arvo about my dream house, he said he would never forget a statement by a preacher, Charles Stanley: "God is not interested in our ease, pleasure, or comfort."
"How about my parents' ease, pleasure, and comfort?" I asked.

I suppose he is right. God puts His people through some pretty vigorous wash cycles at times. Still, He tells us that He wants to give us the desires of our heart. As I kayaked back, watching osprey soar overhead, the water blue green reflecting quiet forests around it, and listened to the stillness, I did have a lapse in my selfishness. I paused to thank God for all I have been given, for how many desires of my heart He has blessed me with over the years. And back home, I clicked on Amazon.com to discover that Comer's book was newly available for purchase. I was surprised to see my name beside his, as editor. I had known, of course, it would be on an inner page- I didn't expect any other billing. I wish I had done a better editing job....And he had already sold one book! My old millionaire friend had just made $3!
And it struck me that my sweet senior friend had received this seemingly impossible desire of his heart at age 93!
You just never know where the purposes of God might land you, or when. Until then, keep paddling.

Psalm 37:3-5

 ³ Trust in the LORD and do good;
   dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴ Take delight in the LORD,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.
 ⁵ Commit your way to the LORD;
   trust in him and he will do this: