I could say this journey started some 30 years ago when I
moved to California. I had found “the perfect spot” in Half Moon Bay on the
coast. There was no way I could afford it at the time and that was when trying
to hit it big happened. From that point forward, God had an idea on what was
right and it didn’t mesh with what I thought I wanted. Matthew 11:28 comes to
mind as I write this today:
Come to me, all who labor and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
I got addicted on the “big win” and hunted for it always, be
it in business, investing or outright gambling. Yes gambling, but it was not a
problem since the only “pot” big enough was the Lottery and I would only spend
a dollar per game. It was not a problem, until I found myself sneaking out to
get tickets and telling fibs on what I was doing. Heck I even moved a car once
to run only to run to the QT to get my fix with the reasoning I did not want to
start and stop an engine.
Anyway, as life went on I found the perfect wife, made a
great family and had fun. But through it all I kept trying to win big, I moved
jobs, started business, bought property and made risky investments. All this
caused stress and a bunch of work, but 20 years later it paid off and in God’s
way not ours.
Again as you read about the timeline God was adjusting our
ideas to His. At first we had an idea on where we wanted to be and as time
moved we had an opportunity to review that choice and see the flaws. Don’t get
me wrong if everything had worked quickly and we bought Jack Palance’s home in
Tehachapi that we would have been unhappy, but how things moved during the
process it would have stressed our relationship further that it had and quite possibly
caused a financial crisis.
As we looked and found “the perfect spot” the delays caused
us to find flaws in the process. Each one had problems that although were not
insurmountable, would cause discontent. Our “specifications” on the perfect
home were isolated yet reasonably close to civilization. We wanted privacy and
land to have fun on.
We finally found what worked and had to stress before
securing it. Sure it has flaws and requires a bunch of work to maintain it, but
it is really a slice of heaven. The fear I had for moving into “The Promised
Land” for us was I was going to drop dead before taking possession, like
Moses!! But we are settling in, working hard and loving every minute.
Thank God for this and I hope to see you read soon to
enjoy some peace!!