Waiting has been the theme of my life in 2026. After living in our house for almst 35 years, my husband Mark and I decided it was time to replace the windows. 

We looked for recommendations, then called people we didn't know and invited them into our house to measure the windows and give us an estimate. 

Estimate #1 An exuberant sales person who brough a window sample to show us the parts and pieces of what we would be purchasing. Then he pulled out a blow torch (not kidding!). He pointed the torch at one side of the window and turned it on for a minute. He invited us to feel the heat radiating from the side that had been exposed to the blow torch. It was hot to the touch. Then he invited us to feel the other side of the window, surprise, at room temperature. He left us with an estimate. 

Estimate #2 An energetic older gentleman explained his windows to us, measured our windows and gave us an estimate. We liked him a lot, but he couldn't figure out what to do with the opening for our sliding glass door. Seems it wasn't standard size. After living in our house for not quite 35 years, we have discovered that most of our house isn't exactly standard. He couldn't get the right-sized doors to fit the space. 

Estimate #3 A local company that was hard to reach and hard to schedule an appointment with. We learned it's a family business and the mothers have children in school. The office is open four days a week, six hours a day. The window guy asked if we had talked to anyone else. When we said yes, he decided he didn't have to explain his windows to us. He took measurements and left. We never heard from him again. 

Estimate #4 A local contractor recommended by a friend. He explained in detail how much his windows cost and why he had to charge us four times what he paid for the windows. Without knowing it, he proceeded to criticize some of the other companies we had talked to for violating code. Not impressed. 

At the end of the day, Mr. Blowtorch got the bid. I gave him a 50 percent deposit, and he told me he'd call when the windows arrived in six weeks. Then we had the coldest winter in 30 years or maybe it was 60 years. We tried not to think too hard about the new windows. 

 A month passed quickly. Then, at the beginning of week five, I panicked. "He's got our money and he's not going to call!" I prayed. I confessed my unbelief, and I thanked God the windows and the money belonged to him. I consistently reminded myself. By Wednesday, Mr. Blowtorch called to say the windows were in and when could we schedule the installation. 

Oh, praise the Lord. They finished in a day and a half, and we have new windows. I gained an opportunity to learn more about trusting God while I waited. 

Waiting is hard, and God is kind. I'm so grateful for his patience and kindness.