This is something that is difficult for me sometimes. I think completely relinquishing control of things is difficult for anyone, but I have struggled with it in light of recent events.
We moved to Pensacola for Parker to begin flight school a year ago. We have been renting a house ever since, and we are completely in love with this place. It's not our first home together because we had an apartment for a few months in College Station, but this is our first house. Our landlord has been fantastic, the location is perfect, we have a huge yard for Jenny, we each have our own office, etc. I could go on and on about why we love this house. We found out about a month ago that our landlord was going to have to short sale the house. I haven't asked the details as to why because it isn't my business, but we went from thinking we could live here as long as we needed to finding out the bank will now control everything. We just have 2-3 more months until we will be relocating, and it is so frustrating to think about moving to a new house or apartment for a couple of months. Parker could select helicopters, which would keep us here another 6-8 months and force us to move regardless, but there is a real possibility he will go jets or P8s, which would definitely mean we are moving. He should select in March, weather permitting. Parker is supposed to check ride and solo today for aerobatics, but the weather is so bad that he likely won't fly the rest of the week. Delays, delays...
This situation is frustrating for several reasons. Parker should have selected in December, but his class was randomly held back for three months this summer due to maintenance and weather issues. His class of about 15 in his particular squadron was the only one held back for so long. He originally was hoping to be in a different squadron, but nobody volunteered, so they had the last half of the alphabet go to this one. I joke all the time that had Parker taken my name when we got married, he would already have completely primary. Honestly, he has just had some bad luck.
It's easy to be frustrated, but at who? This isn't our landlord's fault, and she is trying her best to let us stay here a couple more months. This isn't Parker's fault. This isn't the squadron's fault. It's just a series of unfortunate events working together.
At church this Sunday, we talked about faith. Our pastor highlighted 2 Timothy 2:13 at the beginning of the service, and it really stuck out to me.
"If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13
All this worrying is showing a complete lack of faith, when in reality God has the situation completely in His hands. These past couple of days, I have been really at peace with the situation. Do I know if we will still live here in February? No, but I do know God isn't going to just abandon us and leave us homeless. If we have to move, we have to move. We have amazing friends here that I know would show up to help us load the U-Haul, and there are plenty of places for us to move if we need to. It would be an inconvenience, not the end of the world. More positives: Parker loves his squadron. Originally, he was bummed when he didn't end up in the one he had wanted, but now he wouldn't have it any other way. Neither of us are stressing about the upcoming selection in March. Yes, this determines what he will fly for the rest of his time in the Navy, but Parker is amazing at seeing the positives in every situation, and I know he will be happy with any of the three options. He changes his mind daily anyway. Yesterday, he wanted jets or P8s, today he wants helicopters, tomorrow he'll decide to join the circus. Kidding kidding, but it will be a blessing any way it happens.
I know this has been long and drawn out, but it feels good to let go of this situation and give it to God. I can dwell on the negatives and stress all day, or I can give the burden to God and let him work everything out according to His good, perfect, and pleasing will. I wanted to share to encourage anyone else going through circumstances where the outcome seems unclear. Below is my favorite verse, and it has provided so much peace in reminding me that God truly controls it all, and He wants the best for us.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
3 comments :
Well said, Phelps! I need to read this every time I start to get stressed about changes/moves/military life. I completely understand how you feel and it's nice to know you can relate. Whatever happens will be what's meant to be!
Sidenote: There is a house for rent in our neighborhood if you need to move. And you know we would be more than willing to load up a U-haul for you guys! I speak for me, Ryan and Corridan, of course.
Haha thanks Emily! We are so blessed to have yall down here with us! Please don't ever leave!!
I didn't know that you were having all these issues with your house! I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this on top of all of the other stress right now (as I completely understand these worries of hold backs and selections), but thank you so much for posting these encouraging words! I also love Jer. 29:11, but I had never thought about 2 Tim. 2:13 that way - I love it! It is so hard not to worry at times like these, but I have found that when I finally give it over to God it all seems to work at even better than we had planned.
Thank you again for these great verses and helping me realize that we're not alone in these trying times!
P.S. John and I would be more than happy to help with the U-Haul if or whenever you need us!
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