Landlord versus the LORD of all lords 11/26/12

Here is an excerpt from my journal. My experience with my landlord made me think about the LORD of my life, and how much faith and trust I have in Him to take good care of me. I hope it will encourage anyone who is thinking about taking matters into their own hands.

Another thing that encouraged me is I called the apartment office twice about getting my leaky faucet fixed. I spoke with Mary [not her real name] both times. The second time I called back and clarified that it wasn’t just a drip; it’s a leak that’s releasing a steady stream of water which is surely running up the water bill. I didn’t want them to think it’s not a priority and wait days to get to me. When time kept passing I decided I would run to Walmart or the hardware store and get a new faucet. That old faucet is so rusted and ugly I thought this is a good chance to get it replaced.

I threw on some clothes and stopped by the office to tell Mary I was going to buy a faucet and for maintenance to wait for me to come back. Mary said I didn’t have to do that and she called maintenance about replacing it. She was speaking in Spanish so I didn’t understand everything she said but she told me. I was reticent, thinking I didn’t want them just replacing the rusted part or swapping my faucet for another old raggedy faucet. I want something new and pretty. I told her that I’d rather just get a new one because the faucet is old and even when I try to clean it parts of it I can’t get to still look dirty. She said “No you don’t have to buy one; we’ll get you a new faucet.” So they ordered the part while I was there. I will have a brand new faucet soon but I have to wait for it to arrive. Meanwhile my sink is still dripping but knowing it’s coming makes me feel better.

So I thought about my life. I haven’t had much success with the landlord. They don’t do repairs when I ask them to, and often they don’t do a good job. They seem quite content to let me live in poor conditions. I was tired of going to them and having to nag them just to get things fixed. They really haven’t seemed very competent or caring about my living conditions. Fed up I decided I would handle things myself. I know it’s their responsibility to fix and replace things but I don’t have faith they will based on my past experience. Well the truth is I was feeling like that regarding my relationship with God. He is the Lord of my life, but I wasn’t pleased with the condition of it. I turned things over to Him but I was at a point where I felt like if I want things to get done I need to do it myself. I think this miraculous cooperation from the apartment management was God speaking to me.

Just like with the management I stopped asking Him for a lot of things because it didn’t seem like answers came; or they came in such a way that I wish I’d never asked. I think God was saying don’t give up on Him and trust Him to be the LORD of my life. Trust He will do what He said He’d do. I was so surprised by management’s response I even said “you have not because you ask not.” Mary just laughed, but I really had given up on them; and I guess in some ways on what God was willing to do for me. It’s funny because I was determined to buy my own faucet. I kept saying "I'll do it" and they kept saying "We'll do it." It would have been easy for management to let me; it would save them money after all. I was blessed and encouraged by their insistence on stepping up as landlord. Thanks Goddy. I’m very curious to see what kind of faucet I will receive and when it will arrive.

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. ³⁰ And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29-31 

 

 ⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Luke 12:6-7 

⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

James 1:6-8

You do not have because you do not ask God.

James 4:2b

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Revelations 17:14