The Weekly Encourager - August 18, 2010 - When You're In the Furnace

God's mercy to me has been so evident in the last few days, as I have struggled to do His will in my trying tenant situation.  By God's grace, the tenant and I have signed an out-of-court settlement!  Read on to see how God is faithful to hear and answer the prayers of His people.

Although at trial I won a Judgment against the tenant for Possession, there were serious roadblocks, such as the tenant's desire to appeal the case, prolonging the process for several more months, and her own separate suit against me still several weeks away.  The judge suggested the tenant and I try to work out something after the trial, but our attempt was too emotionally-charged to be fruitful.  I was convinced that an out-of-court settlement with this person would be impossible, yet God's people continued to pray, and God continued to work.

A few days after the trial, I needed to see if she had moved out of the townhouse on her own, so I went over to the property, taking Austin [age 23] with me.  When we arrived, the tenant was home and calmer than I had ever seen her.  I guess somewhere inside me I still had hope, because I asked her again if she might be willing to settle.  Although she seemed open to it, it was not a good time for her, so I asked her to think about it and talk the next day.  I was really exhausted with the emotional weight of this whole thing, so I had to lean totally on the Lord during that encounter.  I remember shooting up a prayer to God for strength, confident that when I am weak, He is strong. Thank God for His Word and His promises!  Thank God for the Holy Spirit to remind me!
 
That night I talked with Dave to see if he was in favor of a settlement and to find out what he thought best to include.  He wrote key points which I incorporated into the actual document.  Even though, because of his job, he was unable to come with me the next day, I certainly didn't want to act apart from his authority and counsel.

Providentially, I also read an article on forgiveness that night.  I've been weeding out old magazines and next up was a Washington Post Magazine whose cover story was an interview with a man called Bernard Williams, who testifies of his forgiveness of the man who murdered his son, and his Christian faith which gave him the impetus to forgive!  For years, Williams suffered from grief, depression, drug addiction: "I wasn't doing nothing but killing myself, slowly killing myself from stress and a broken heart."  Then he asks, "How can I say I love God but hate my neighbor?"  He arranged to see the man convicted of the crime and even testified on his behalf when it was time for parole!  He recognized that his hatred would not achieve anything but regret.  I am a Christian and Christ said, "Love your enemies" and do good for them.  This man forgave the person who killed his son, (and Christ forgave me for all my sins), so how could I not forgive this tenant for her crimes?  I tell you, God was working on me.

The Lord brought stronger words to bear.  My devotional lead me to read the book of Zechariah and those descriptions of the Lord's mercy kept jumping out at me:  "I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy....Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts....Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another....Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace....And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested.  They will call upon my name, and I will answer them.  I will say, 'They are my people'; and they will say, 'The Lord is my God.'"  I felt I was being called to be merciful to the tenant and agree to generous terms.  Under no circumstances was I to be vindictive, but to assume the best and keep Dave's main goal in mind of getting her out of there.  I also felt I should put peace above my desire to get every penny back that this person still owes me.  "It's not fair!" my spirit cried, but God's word said "make for peace."  I printed out an agreement and on Friday Austin and I went back and she signed it!   This is good news.  I am not jubilant yet, because I  must wait to see if she fulfills her part, but a call today to the Court assured me that things are on track.

Now I have to tell you that my son Austin was a huge help in this whole process.  Besides being a good listening ear, he told me that if I needed someone to go with me over to the townhouse to speak with the tenant, he would go with me.  The fact that he saw my need when I didn't, and he initiated the help, was a sign of God's gracious work in his life.  God enabled him to show his compassion at the right time.  Then, in the actual conversations with the tenant, Austin's calm, rational, yet firm approach kept her on track with settling, rather than just more venting.  The Lord showed me through this that A. can be very objective.  I saw then that A. could make a good mediator or judge!  But that's another subject... A. also supported me emotionally just by standing there with me and putting his arm around my shoulder once when I started getting upset.  I am so thankful to the Lord that Austin volunteered to go with me!  Without his presence, I'm not sure if I would have been able to handle my emotions well enough to try again for a settlement.  The amazing truth is that the Lord surprised me in the midst of trials by revealing precious things about my son!  What a blessing!  (Does it go without saying that without these trials, I might have been still blind to some of A's qualities?)  Friends, when you're in the furnace, look around!  You may find gold!

Again in trials the Lord has showed His wisdom, power, mercy, and faithfulness.  Lord, You are worthy of praise!

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

God is faithful,
janet

The Washington Post Magazine, March 22, 2009, "The Truth About Forgiveness" by Karen Houppert, p.8-24.

Zechariah 1:16, 4:6, 7:9, 8:16, 13:9 (ESV)