April 4, 2007 @ 12:52 pm | Filed under: Soul Food

My agent tells me this whenever we receive another bunch of rejection slips. "It just takes one."

One call. One person. One event.

And the whole course of - virtually anything -  can be changed.

I was sitting in my office (in my "work" clothes and a pony tail) a week ago Friday, working on my manuscript, when my phone rang.

Not recognizing the number on caller ID, I considered not answering it. Either it was a wrong number or someone inquiring about the house. I had been fielding the calls on the house, taking down the info folks wanted, and then returning their calls later. Since we’d not yet placed a single ad in a paper or subscribed to any MLS listings, the calls were few and far between. But that morning something urged me to answer. I reached for the phone.

"Hello? Yeah. I was just looking at the house down the street and noticed your sign in the yard. I’m standing outside of your house. Can I see it now?"

My mind went into a stall, torn between knowing I would have to perform a mad dash throughout the house - picking up, straightening, finding time to dress in something other than work pj’s - and not wanting to pass up the opportunity to show the house. The sign had been in the yard just six days, but this was the first person to ask to see it.

"Sure." I answered. "Just give me a few minutes."

I took one arm and swept my manuscript notes and folders into one tall and only semi-neat pile and then flew through the house, quickly inspecting each and every room. Five minutes later - appropriately dressed, hair tidied, and rooms approved - I opened the door and met the gentleman.

He looked at the house, walking into each and every room while I waited with bated breath and a bit of nervousness (showing the house by myself is not my idea of a great time) just inside the opened front door. Coming back into the living room he inquired about the asking price.

"Is that your final price?"

I mumbled something intelligent about how he’d need to speak with my husband about the details and would he like to leave his name and number? He did, indeed, pausing to add as he walked out the door, "Have him call me soon. I may make an offer."

He didn’t have to tell ME twice. I called Mike, who just happened to be in town and working at the office that day (miracle of miracles!), and promptly filled him in on the morning activity. Mike called him back, and they set up a time for him to see the house again that night.

But …!

Pat (that’s the man) called back not even two hours later. My friend, Denise, was sitting in my living room at that time so she is my witness to this incredible part of the story.

"Hello?" I had recognized his number this time, and was mentally praying he wasn’t calling to cancel the appointment for that night.

"Yeah, this is Pat again. Listen, I’m going to buy your house."

"Okay." For the second time that day my brain stalled. "I’m sorry. Can you repeat what you just said?"

By bedtime that night we had inked a contract. Still finding it difficult to believe, we waited a suspenseful two days until Pat called after a meeting with his bank and mortgage company with a green light and a closing date of April 27th.

This is our God-story. One that makes me smile every time I think about it. After showing our home just five times during a seven month period last year, selling it after only six days with a mere sign in the yard and no ads was…well, staggering.

Just the week before I’d been praying for the future owners of our home as I planted red and pink geraniums in the front flower beds. I prayed that they would find joy and peace within these walls and that the hallway and rooms would be full of love, laughter, and good friends. In my mind, I suppose I envisioned a young family, maybe with one or two small children.

I certainly didn’t imagine Pat.

And yet I have no doubt that Pat is exactly right for our house. That’s just like my God to orchestrate in ways that are so far beyond my simple comprehension. He works outside of the box, with timing that is both impeccable and unquestionable. While I may never have envisioned a "Pat," God knew all along where those prayers were directed.

All it took was one.

One sign. One call. One buyer.