The Best Gift

Have you ever received a gift so special and perfect that you can hardly believe it? A gift that, looking back, you realize was heaven-sent. This is the story of one of the best gifts I’ve ever received from...let’s say the Gift Giver.

This very special gift is the home I’ve lived in since 2006 and hope to stay in the rest of my life. It’s lovely, and small, not quite 1200 square feet—perfect for my one-person household. The best thing about it is the windows across the back overlooking the prayer garden. The natural light and constant view of plants and birds is a daily joy. The worse thing is the tiny kitchen-dining combo that has no pantry, but I make do.

Around 2003, I sold the classic older home I lived in. I loved that house, but, like many old houses, it had issues, and I couldn’t afford the repairs. My kids were gone, so I moved into a small garage apartment to figure out where to go next. My heart was in historic Old Town—it had been my neighborhood since moving to Georgetown in the mid-90’s, but the value of homes in this coveted area had gone up since homes were being bought and renovated. Solely responsible for home maintenance and finances, I had to be realistic about buying a house that needed repairs; an updated home I could afford was impossible to find. For three years I looked. I prayed, I looked, I prayed, I looked, I prayed.

Then my mom broke her knee and had to stay with me in my tiny apartment while she recovered. The living/sleeping area was one cramped space—there wasn’t room for two beds, so I slept on a tiny couch with my feet sticking out so Mom could have the bed. There was a step up to the kitchen/bath area, which was difficult for Mom to manage. Eventually, Mom went home, but I knew we’d be facing the same scenario again due to her age and health. I ramped up the search.

North and South Austin each have their own flavor, and so does East and West Georgetown. Those who live in and love Old Town call west of IH-35 “the other side”.  It’s just different. I looked at several houses in my preferred area that didn’t meet criteria. Then, out of desperation, l started looking on the “other side”. There was one possibility and I felt it was time to make an offer. It was a house built in the 80’s that needed new flooring, new HVAC, and updating—but it was priced low enough that I could afford some updates.

The offer was accepted and inspection day came. That morning, before I met my realtor at the house for the report, I looked once more at the online property search my realtor had set up for me. An east side house I hadn’t seen before popped up! They had just lowered the price so it now appeared in my feed.

Bob, my realtor, was a jewel. We discussed the inspection report, and then I said to him, “A new house popped up this morning in the area I like.” Without hesitation, with his characteristic big grin, he said, “Let’s go look at it!” and I said, “Really...now!?” I wasn’t very assertive at the time. I would not have pursued it without his encouragement and willingness to drop everything and chase another house when I was already this close to buying one. Many realtors see time as money and would have ignored my statement; but not Bob, and I’ll always remember it...because the moment I opened the door and saw the windows across the back I had a “this is it” certainty.

This 90’s house is located on the edge of the older neighborhoods, so it’s within walking distance to Old Town. It was in such good shape I decided to bypass the inspection since I’d already paid for the other one. Once I did the math, I saw that my payment wasn’t that much more—well worth not having to do any repairs or remodeling. It’s well-built and energy efficient. The neighborhood is wonderful and my neighbors and I agree our street is the best.

View from my kitchen window

As years have passed I’ve come to realize what a gift this home actually was, and is. I didn’t know back then the Gift Giver was giving me a blank slate of a back yard to create a prayer garden. I didn’t know the layout would be perfect for sharing my space with a few who have needed to stay for a time. I didn’t know I would have a grandson who would live close by. I just didn’t know...but the Gift Giver did, and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.

This song speaks beautifully of God's faithfullness: Great is Thy Faithfulness-Fernando Ortega