Yard Sale Throw Down: My true story

In reality it didn’t actually turn into a throw-down but it could have….

For weeks I had been looking for the “right” bunk beds, scouring craigs-list, newspaper ads, and yard sale postings. We were ready to bunk our boys in a shared room.

One Thursday evening I saw a yard sale ad that mentioned bunk beds, the sale was on Friday morning, naturally I arrived bright and early, ready to purchase those bunk beds. Delighted, I  drove up and saw that they were red and very pottery barn-ish. To add icing to the cake, the price was right – $50.00 – AND they converted to twin beds. My mind was made up: these were the perfect bunk beds for me!

I expressed intention to purchase the beds to the seller who seemed thrilled to have a buyer. I then called my husband to make arrangements to pick up the beds when a lady drove up in an SUV and began to unload her stuff. As she walked past me, she seemed very interested in the conversation: she eagerly listened as I described the bunk beds to him.  I hung up and told the seller my husband would come pick them up and started to write a check when the lady walked up and firmly told me she (here-to-fore referred to as – named so by my husband – “Bunk Bed Tyrant” or BBT) was already planning to purchase the bunks from the seller. I looked at the seller questioningly and she seemed very surprised. The seller kindly pleaded with her but the BBT would not hear it.

Overcome with a strong desire to LEAVE – the ladies were starting to argue and I wanted no part in it. I kindly walked over and said “It is no problem. You can purchase the bunk beds – I didn’t know anyone else was interested in them”. The owner of the beds apologized profusely. I could still hear them arguing still as I drove away. Some fun they were going to have selling their stuff after that kind of start!

On the drive home I rolled over and over in my mind what had just happened. It didn’t seem real, then again it seemed so normal: how often do I feel like I have found the perfect purchase, opportunity, friend or job only to watch it slip right out of my fingertips. Those bunk beds looked like a pottery barn boys room had come to life and the price was exactly what i wanted it to be – exactly. Following my drive-home pity party, and a very quick coming-to-my-senses, my conclusion was that if God wanted me to have those bunks I would have them and it was not worth fighting over.

Fast forward to several weeks: I was – of course – still on the hunt when I saw an add for bunk beds. I was excited, but then an image of the cute red pottery barn beds rushed through my mind, and disappointment filled my heart. It seemed impossible to find another set of beds like those.

Lo and behold, I followed the address and I am shocked as i drive up to the same house where the previous sale was and the red bunk beds are STILL staring at me.

I strolled up the driveway, reluctant to look at the bunk beds: part of me expected the BBT to be lurking nearby – in hiding – ready to pounce on me for looking at her property. To my surprise the original seller said “I am so glad to see you, I really I wish I could have gotten your contact information”…,she went on to explain, that at the end of the day the lady decided she did not want to beds.

Really?

Are you kidding me?

The Bunk-Bed Tyrant had talked to me as if she was ready to fight to the death for them.

I couldn’t believe what i was hearing: the bunk beds were mine and this lady even lowered the price, for good measure. I called my husband to tell him about the bunk beds, he hesitantly asked “Are you sure?”, remembering the last incident. I assured him I had purchased the bunk beds, he came out and we loaded them up.

They are perfect!  I had so strongly felt the bunk beds were for me, only I had to wait and show patience and trust. I had to resist the right to fight and claim what I knew was mine. The bunk bed story is one I remember often. I return to the story anytime I feel there is something we need or an opportunity we are waiting for what has not quite become ours.

While we are waiting, there is so much growth we can do. We can trust him, praise him and rely solely on him while we wait. We can resist the urge to blame, sulk, become self centered and lose hope. We can wait with hope and expectancy that our God is a good father.

The bunk bed situation is one instance when I got it right, surrendering my will and trusting in his sovereignty in the situation. let me assure you I have gotten that same situation completely wrong a hundred times over. I am learning to wait……….