I've mentioned this before, but my precious husband went through a hot mess last year. It wasn't his fault; just one of those things that happen. To make a long story short, we lost just about everything we owned including our home and our life savings.

(Please don't misunderstand me. Yes, it was horrible. We are still recovering from the shock and loss, and it will take many years to do so. However, I know so many in this world are dealing with much, much worse, so in spite of our losses, we are very thankful!)

So here we are, in our 40s with two children, trying to begin again.

A family member has lent us a house for the year, and we are desperately pinching pennies, saving all we can, so we can afford a place to live.

As we look for a place to call our own once again, we are having a bit of difficulty. We've saved up what should be enough money for a small piece of property - maybe just some land for now that we can eventually build on, possibly even enough for a small house - but we are struggling to find something suitable. (And I can assure you, we aren't being super picky!)

We've met brokers who can't imagine that a nice, middle-class family wouldn't want a 30-year mortgage. We've talked with agents who have told us straight up that we don't have enough cash to make helping us worth their time. We've looked at properties that are obviously overpriced, but the owners aren't willing to negotiate. We've been shown properties that are not overpriced, but we obviously can't afford.

After a long, grueling weekend of looking at property after property that just wouldn't work for us, I did this simple art as a reminder that I've got a God who is leading me and will negotiate for me. We don't have to chase a realtor down and beg him or her to work for us. We don't have to wear ourselves out trying to find a place to live. I already have an Agent who is working on my behalf and has already prepared a place for me.

I just need to be still. And breathe, and trust.

And let my Negotiator handle it.

If you like the simple Exodus 14:14 illustration I did above, you are welcome to a free black and white printable of the artwork. The size should fit in the margins of most journaling Bibles.