Sometimes….

Things just happen beyond our control.  Sometimes bad things happen to good people.

 2 ½ years ago, the one & only time in our married lives when things were going great for us (the world’s definition of “great” ~ meaning we were making money), we moved to a different home where we felt the Lord wanted us, and we rented our other home to some friends from church who seemed to be the salt of the earth.  We knew that no matter what happened, Ed would just take things in stride & always be a jovial sort.  We had known him for years, and he just had that type of easy-to-get-along-with personality. DH reminded him that the deal though (lease with option to purchase)  had to be treated “as business”.

Well…. You know the story of “doing business with friends”…..  and it’s likely very true in many cases.

Sigh ~ suffice it to say – things can be great between “friends” ….. UNTIL…… money gets in the way!!   (no wonder the Bible refers to it as “unrighteous mammon”!!)

We are now on the very verge of losing the house (prayers GREATLY appreciated that we can sell it before losing it, further damaging our credit!), and so we’ve had to pass the word to Ed & his family that we have no choice in the matter. They will have to move some time this year. This is not what we WANT to do; this is what we HAVE to do.

Hey ~ it’s not like we expect them to vacate tomorrow or anything!   Just merely passing on the word of what to expect in the coming days, so they wouldn’t count on staying there for the next 20 years.  They loved the house & had hoped to purchase it, although they readily admit they’re in no position to do so.  (we can vouch for that, what with their constantly late payments)

But Ed is taking it hard & blaming us – says we are now “messing with his family”!  And he’s mad.  That “unrighteous mammon” has surely come between friends.  (again!)

<<<SIGH>>>>    Of course, when bitter hurts come into play in something like this, it’s very common & easy for us to look back & think of “all the things we’ve done for them over the years”!!!

But of course, that counts for little now, according to their perspective.

My prayer is that: 

1. they can find a home to rent or purchase (we’d give them first shot at purchasing ours ~ except that their credit & income can’t take it) 
2. that we can sell the house QUICKLY before it goes back to the bank! 
3. that we can end this amicably, hopefully without their holding a grudge (I realize that ultimately that is up to them) AND
4. that DH can hang on, just a lil’ longer, till Jesus comes.  You would not believe all the hurts and fiery trials this man has had to endure over the years!  Many times & cases, it’s involved “friends” like this, and I think he’s becoming more than a little jaded from all this.  Certainly “hurt”, for sure!  Even the strongest person on earth can take only so much.  I even used him for a punching bag the other day (to my GREAT REGRET!!)  when he was “already down”!!     L

Oh, how we could use a “break” ~ just to go some where & enjoy some totally refreshing R & R!!  But our budget simply won’t allow it right now.  We are, however, asking the Lord to bless us according to His will.  It would give us both so much peace to know we could catch up on all our own bills, and get back on track, so we can make timely payments from here on. 

At any rate, we will praise Him no matter.  (Ref:  Habakkuk 3: 17  Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there by no herd in the stalls – YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  (emphasis mine)

BTW, regarding our situation & bad dealings with friends, we can always take the Scriptures to be 100% accurate ALL THE TIME!!

1. Proverbs 19:4
   Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend.
    
2. Proverbs 19:6
   Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.
    
3. Proverbs 19:7
   All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him!  He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.

Thanks for praying about our situation!   And of course, we pray for each & every one of you when you post a request here as well.

Doves ~ hoping to fly HIGH TO THE SKY, to be with Jesus **SOON**!!   I sooo hope it’s this spring!   Trying to be about His business until then…..

AMEN & Maranatha!

Reva