Seek First the Kingdom...

Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - Matthew 6:31-33

In this day and age, when real estate has become increasingly expensive, Drew and I have once settled on the fact that we would be renting until we die. Our salaries just couldn't afford to buy our own home, and renting, albeit still expensive, was more manageable for a young couple with 2 kids, living from paycheck to paycheck.

Years later, we've come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, and one of our most fervent prayers was to be in a church community that would support us in our walk with the Lord. Truly, the Lord answers prayers in the most surprising ways. Looking back, I am still amazed because it seemed too good to be true! Here's a timeline of how the Lord showed us his faithfulness in this area:

• 2014 - God has placed a strong desire on Drew to move our careers in a different direction. He was a QA and I, a trainer, in the BPO industry — 2 positions that most people hold on to for stability. He pursued it and even dragged me along (Drag talaga kasi ayoko sana! I was one of those people who would have wanted to hold on to my position.).

• 2017 - Our youngest daughter was just 3 years old, and hiring and keeping helpers had become such a struggle. Drew and I decided someone had to stay home to manage the household and take care of the kids. That someone became him. To be honest, that was one of the best times of my life! I come home to delicious home-cooked meals, a clean house, and children well taken care of — I couldn't have asked for more, however...

• 2018 - One breadwinner couldn't support our family of 4 anymore, but we also couldn't bear to go back to relying on househelp. Our next step was to look for work that we could do from home so we could fully be there for our family. Drew found his in July, a new and emerging role that seemed worth pursuing at the time despite a 50% pay cut compared to what he was earning before he left the corporate world. I got mine in August, and things were looking up. By the time the COVID pandemic struck in 2019, we had already settled into our work-from-home gigs.

• 2020 - For health and financial reasons, and because of how strict the pandemic restrictions were, we planned to move to the province. Drew is from Bacolod, and we initially wanted to go there, but a series of events made us realize that we'd rather stay relatively near our relatives in case we're needed. So we prayed for God to lead us to somewhere that feels province-y but also just a few hours' drive away from our loved ones.

• 2021 - After visiting my mother-in-law's friend on the way to Tagaytay, the Lord brought us to Lancaster, Cavite. Drew found a house on Facebook that's so much bigger than our rented home in the city and with a much lower rent. Tuition fees in schools around the area are much lower too.

• 2022 - Within this year, blessings poured in. Relationships were restored. The work that Drew took the risk upon also happened to grant him stocks that we later used to pay the downpayment for our own home. Someone on Facebook sold us her house for the same amount of down payment she paid the developer — it was as if we bought it during the pre-selling phase! Now, our monthly amortization is just a little over what we used to pay rent in the city. And the spiritual family we were praying for? — Fulfilled within Victory Imus-Lancaster!

• 2024 - God gave us funds for renovation so we can finally move from our rented home to our own home!

Even as I write this, I'm still taken aback to realize that this story took 10 years to make. In that period, we experienced a lot of doubt, hardships, anxiety, and sometimes, even desperation - none of us could have imagined that we'd be sharing a testimony such as this!

What I've learned from this experience is that:

1. Solomon was spot-on when he asked the Lord for wisdom. As parents, Drew and I had the responsibility of "governing" our family and our decisions can make or break us. We try our best to seek God's leading in our lives, and while a lot of them didn't make sense at the time, we are only finding years later that it was for the best. I can't imagine where we'd be if we just relied on positions, salaries, and whatever the world dictated. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown. - Proverbs 4:7-9
   

2. God's timing and plans are always perfect. Victory stories in the Bible didn't happen overnight, and I believe it's the best reference for us to understand the bigger picture of God's calling. He only gives us a lamp to guide us and see what's near. For all things that are beyond us, we just have to put our trust in Him. Some detours, like the ones in Exodus, are meant to protect and/or teach 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 hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

Indeed, God knows the desires of our hearts, even the ones we've already given up on. When we surrender them in prayer, He leads us to the right places, the right people, and the best circumstances — all in His perfect timing.