LEARNING TO TRUST 

Proverbs 3, a chapter I encountered as a young child during a Sunday School scripture memory challenge, holds a special place in my heart. Verses 4-6 have been a constant source of inspiration and hope, guiding me through life's myriad experiences.

Proverbs 3: 4-6:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

Lean not in your own understanding

In all your ways, acknowledge him

He will direct your paths

Some years ago, Jonathan and I renovated an old home to sell. The process took over a year, and we consulted with different agents for their advice. Through the experience, we developed a great friendship with our selling agent, Andrew. From the start, the challenge was to be authentic with Andrew about who we were, what we believed as Christians, how this might impact our dealings, and selling with integrity. We asked Andrew to represent us truthfully, and in return, we would do the work needed to present a lovely home to bless the buyers.

At times, the potential for criticism, cynicism and misunderstanding from agents was challenging as we openly discussed our faith, perspective, and trust that God would help the agent find the right person to purchase the house. Some agents were accepting, while others were sceptical or dismissive of our views and values. Thankfully, no one mocked or 'cancelled' us, as people tend to do via social media these days, but courage was needed initially. We remained steadfast, however, in our belief that God's plan would prevail. Agents, especially Andrew, quickly learned that our go-to phrase was, "We will pray about it and get back to you." They knew our position. 

The day of our auction will forever be etched in my memory. Prior to the event, our family gathered in a circle in our lounge to pray, and we invited Andrew and his assistant to join us. They accepted, and it was a profound and meaningful moment. As the auction unfolded, we were filled with a sense of relief and gratitude. After a successful result, Andrew looked to the heavens and exclaimed, "Well, someone sure wanted you to sell!" This moment was a special testament to the power of faith and trust in God's plan.

1 Peter 3:15 beautifully supports Proverbs 3 and states, "Always be prepared to answer everyone who asks you to give the reason for your hope. But do this with gentleness and respect." When Jonathan and I spoke to various agents, we always mentioned our views about God. Some listened, some didn't, but we were resolute in our determination to acknowledge God in all our ways. Ultimately, I know that God directed our steps because we trusted and were unafraid to be authentic. This authenticity was a key factor in our journey, reminding us of the importance of being true to our faith.