Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Trust and Obey (don't write about the song) (05/21/15)
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TITLE: Feet, Don't Fail Me Now! | Previous Challenge Entry
By LINDA GERMAIN
05/27/15 -
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It’s common knowledge that those sought-after dwellings close to campus are pricey. Historically, they had been snapped up as soon as the last bunch of scholars had vacated. Several people reminded me of the impossible odds in grabbing decent student quarters, but I knew a secret.
I prayed. I had a list. God was not surprised.
The new lodging had to be safe, clean, no leaks, close to campus, and the rent reasonable enough to leave funds for other necessities like electricity and food.
I’m sure eyes rolled at my naiveté that such an ideal place existed. Didn’t matter. When my faith tells me I know that I know, data and facts do not move me.
I perused the newspaper, as well as that other famous list that seems to belong to a man named Craig.
In the cool of the evenings, looking for places advertised with only a sign in the yard, I would drive my old blue van up and down streets nearest to school. When a helper-pal rode in the passenger seat and suggested the whole project probably was a useless endeavor, my resolve to stand firm only strengthened.
Reality's voice kept insisting, “Rent $700 or less? Are you crazy, lady?”
I went to sleep every night saying, “Thank you, Lord, for my son’s wonderful new place.” I woke up saying the same words, and during every mile in that dependable old van.
As the first day of classes loomed, and no ideal residence had appeared, my offspring returned from his summer doings a little anxious that he had nowhere to lay his head. We climbed in my elderly hippie-mobile early one morning and took off to find his new home.
He had to be tired of hearing, “Don’t worry, I KNOW it’s there,” but he was respectful enough to stay quiet.
We stopped in front of one tacky, run-down, little white house and he called the phone number on the sign. The owner did not flinch as he informed him, “Rent is $900…for the upstairs only!”
Gulp!
The guy had a basement apartment available just up the street in an old Victorian home that was divided into five dwellings for students. It was dark and noisy and kind of creepy looking. I stayed in the van and prayed.
There’s an old saying: God cannot direct our steps until we begin to move our feet. Faith demands we walk forward and keep our eyes on Him. Peter did, for a few minutes, but as we know, he wavered on the waves and that didn’t work out too well, but he was on the right track.
Okay, Lord. I have trusted and obeyed by moving my feet. That still, small voice tells me the answer we seek is close, and I THANK YOU. Onward to number 3.
When my son returned from touring the small, expensive, creaky second domicile, he was ready to throw in the towel and just take it. He agreed to check out one more place I had seen in the paper off and on, but couldn’t find. Appropriately, it was just around the next corner.
The tiny FOR RENT sign was hidden by a big tree. We peeked in the window of this two-bedroom, brick, one level, four-unit apartment complex.
In unison, eyes wide, we both whispered, “Wow!”
The owner came in about ten minutes and informed us we were 63rd on the list of people who had applied. When he and I discovered we had graduated from the same high school (but he was a few years ahead of me), I could feel a tiny bridge being built.
This private, bug-free place with a new roof even had a washer and dryer. I had to laugh with spiritual delight when I looked out the kitchen window. What did I see? The university…directly across the street.
As we talked, dear landlord quietly filled out a lease. He deleted the references page. My son seemed a little stunned by the smooth transaction. I wanted to giggle or dance.
The rent, an unheard of amount for even the dingiest place in that area, was $495.
Walking in trust and obedience is divinely exciting, and God is, feet down, the world’s best realtor!
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*True
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Thanks for sharing.
This story reminded me of the time we found a waterfront holiday rental property by trusting God in similar circumstances. We went back there for about ten years.