THE MOVING MEMOIRS - Timing Is Everything

Timing, timing, timing.

Timing is so important in so many things.

Jump-roping.

Telling a joke.

Popping the question.

Giving flowers.

Getting on an escalator.

Dancing the tango.

(No, I do not know how to dance the tango – I actually have two left feet…)

It's interesting that I mention the tango, though.  Have you ever heard of the phrase, "It takes two to tango"?  I actually looked up what that meant:

It takes two to tango is a common idiomatic expression which suggests something in which more than one person or other entity are paired in an inextricably-related and active manner…The tango is a dance which requires two partners moving in relation to each other…The meaning of this expression has been extended to include any situation in which the two partners are by definition understood to be essential -- as in, a marriage with only one partner ceases to be a marriage.

Interesting, huh?

I find it especially appropriate when thinking about the timing of everything that's happened in my moving journey.

Let me tell you a little bit about the timing of the purchase of our new home.

When we decided that this was *the house* for us, we met with our agent to discuss what our opening offer should be.  We bandied about numbers, trying to play "the game" - wanting to bid high enough that we didn't insult them, yet low enough that we had some room to wiggle.

We finally settled on a price, a LOW price.  

Inked our names on the bottom line of the purchase contract, and let it fly.  

About two days later, we heard back from our agent – they had accepted our offer!!

No counters, no bartering – they agreed to our LOW offer.

Now, here's where timing comes in.

Talking to our agent – (while we signed about 3 million papers) – we found out a little bit of *history* about our house.  There had been interest in the past.  In fact, just this last summer, someone else had put in our very same offer, and the owners didn't even respond.  Nope, no counters, nothing…

Now, around the same time, the house right next door to us drastically cut their asking price – I mean a huge, HUGE cut – which now placed it on the market priced quite a bit lower than our house.

Well, turns out that the same person who first got rejected at our house, put in the same offer for the house just down the street, and this offer was accepted.  The house sold at a very reduced price.

So, you can imagine the "trickle-down" effect this had on our perfect timing.

You might recall that I said WE looked at our house for the first time…last summer.

But we didn't do anything – now I know that we weren't supposed to…YET!

Evidently, seven months later, these people were ready to sell, at a reduced price – and we were ready to buy.

And all the pricing fell into place – perfect place – NOW.

I see the hand of God in this, friends.

Someone else could have bought our house last summer, but the owners were not yet willing to compromise on their asking price.  WE could have put an offer on this house last summer, but we were not yet ready to move.

But, in God's perfect timing, He moved the hearts of the owners, and our hearts, until each met at the same point.

It's a dance that God and I do.  

A complicated tango that requires two people who are essentially and eternally connected.  The steps are complicated, and difficult to learn at times.   More often than not, the stumbling occurs when I don't let the Lord lead.  (Evidently, spiritually speaking, I also have two left feet…)

But when I do let Him lead, He seems to orchestrate a perfect symmetry of tandem beauty – a Sovereign God, a trusting servant.

It takes two to tango – yes, indeed.

And it certainly makes a world of difference if one of the partners is the Master of Timing!!


Are you dancing with the Lord – are you letting HIM lead?  

(And if you have a story about how His timing has been perfect in your life, please share!)


Linked today with Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"