(I corrected several path problems on August 29, August 30, and September 1, including these selections: Which Version?, Christmas, Images, Body of Christ Discovered, Hymn Midis, KJV Bible, and Spiritual Warfare. Sorry for any problems; please let know if you find others. - Gary)

“IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU”

by Donna Kupferschmidt

03-31-06

“It’s not about you.”

Without warning, the message boomed in my head, authoritative and strong. I stopped mid-sip on my third coffee of the day and demanded, “What do you mean that it’s not about me, God? Who else is this about? Who besides my husband and me poured money, time, energy, sweat, and worry into building this home? How can this not be about me?”

Our house had been on the market for over nine months with no offers. We needed change. I knew, before this message, we needed to list with a woman. A woman would notice and point out the details that would sell our home. My husband, Marty, and I prayed about whom we needed to hire to sell our home.

“It’s not about you.”

As we chose three area realtors to interview, I pondered God’s message. Slowly, I realized that selling a home is not only about the seller. “Is this what you mean, God,” I wondered. Selling a home is also about the buyers who will look at our home and instantly know they have to live in it. It’s also about the realtor. Which realtor makes us feel like our property and the listing is valuable to her? She is the realtor who will excite the buyer. It is all about them and us. We continued to pray for guidance.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2: 3 & 4).

All three realtors we interviewed offered unique qualities any seller would value in a realtor: personality, business knowledge, and extensive experience.

Only one thanked us when we called her. Patti had gotten in a car accident a month before we called her and had broken both ankles. She was just now getting around. Patti hobbled into the house, both feet in casts. She gave a clear, concise speech about what she could do for us. Then, she asked if we had a stool she could sit on at the top of the basement stairs so she could ease herself down to scoot down the stairs. Patti thanked us for the opportunity to see our house and show us what she could offer us. She called the next day with several comps by which she derived a price.

Still, we hesitated. Would she be able to sell our home? She certainly displayed valuing our home and the desire to retain our business.

“It’s not about you.”

Marty’s call to work away from home hurried our decision. We signed with Patti because she showed us how much she valued our property. She demonstrated how much she valued our listing. After we signed the papers, Patti looked at Marty and told him she hoped he would not be offended by what she was going to say. Smiling, she said, “A woman has to sell your home. Only a woman will notice and point out the details that will sell your home.”

“It’s not about you.”

“I finally get it, God,” I realized. Nothing is just about us or our needs. Nothing is just about the needs of others, either. Who provides us with what we need? Who gave us the necessary mental, physical, and monetary means with which to build this home? God gave my husband and me all of these abilities. Between the two of us, we were able to do many tasks on our own. We have good health. My husband has a good job. We thank God for these blessings! We no longer worry about selling our home. When the right buyer comes along, Patti will show our house and it will sell. It’s not about us.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

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