Nancy Gets Her New Home
Eva, my sweetie,
In a southern Indiana town Nancy (names changed for privacy) decided to buy a home. She had been widowed for ten years and shortly after the death of her husband she sold her home at the council of her two sons. She had a small apartment in a senior citizen community but she longed to once again have her own home with nice landscaping and some fruit trees. She would decorate each room, hang pictures everywhere she chose and plant flowers to suit herself like she did when her husband was alive. She was 72 years of age but she had much living to do and she set out to actively enjoy a home of her own. She called a realtor who took an instant liking to her. Though he was several years her junior, she respectfully called him Mr. Smith, though he told her she could call him by his given name. The realtor set about making appointments to view properties that met the criteria laid out by Nancy. Since she did not want to live outside town, none of them had a fruit bearing tree but Nancy faithfully viewed each property her agent found which had most or all of the criteria of her wishes. They visited about fifty properties before finding a home which she would consider buying, so she called her two sons (one was a lawyer and the younger was an insurance agent). Both her sons discouraged her and found fault with the property. She declined to make an offer on their advice. Soon three more possible homes became available and she again approached her sons with the same result. Her realtor saw what was happening and perceived that her sons thought their mother was too old for a place of her own and they were actively working to prevent a purchase. He decided that it was best to step aside and not meddle in a family matter. He thought that possibly Nancy had changed her mind and was at loss in how to dismiss her realtor after he had worked so hard for her. When he delicately offered Nancy a way out, she asked, “Mr Smith. I’m sorry for all the work you have done without finding a home for me. Do you no longer want to work for me?” He replied, ” Nancy, I will gladly work until we find a home for you. However my concern is that your sons don’t think you should have a home and with all due respect, it is best for me to stay out of family issues.” Nancy replied reassuringly, “Mr Smith I want you to find a home for me. You have been very patient in our search but I need you to stay with me until I find my Home. Will you do that?” Before he could answer, she continued, ” I have two wonderful sons and they want what is best for their mother so I value their council. Please let me assure you, I’m not asking them for permission to buy a home, it is only their advice I seek. Let me also assure you that I value your council and everything you do for me. But if you’re spending more time with me than you can afford, I understand.” What could any responsible realtor say to such a petition as Nancy’s. He stayed on and continued searching new listings. He noticed that the two sons had each changed their approach and were now actively supporting their mother in her home search. Nancy had talked to her sons and now everyone was marching in lock step to fulfill her dream. Soon Mr Smith found a small brick ranch home. He called her the first day it was on the market and told her it was priced to sell. She liked it very much and made an offer a few thousand dollars below the asking price. Her offer was rejected and another offer accepted. Nancy was most disappointed. She had lost the home by following the council of her youngest son instead of heeding the professional advice of her realtor, who had suggested that her initial offer was too low. The next day she called her realtor and apologized that he had missed a sale and offered to get another realtor if he preferred not to work for her. He responded by telling her he had three new properties for her to see and assured her that he would remain onboard with her home search. It was ten in the morning when he spotted a new listing on the Monday morning realtor tour. It was just what Marcy wanted, it was priced to sell and it even had some peach trees in the back yard. He called Nancy and quickly made an appointment so that she could be the first to see the newly offered property. At one o’clock that afternoon, Nancy viewed the property and at 1:30 PM she had her agent draw up a contract and at the advice of her agent (her younger son again told her to offer less than asking price) she wisely offered exactly what the seller was asking. Her offer was accepted and Nancy had her new home. The hopes and dreams of this widow spilled over to her agent and her sons when everyone understood that Nancy was determined to have a home of her own. Her life was unfulfilled in an apartment and she boldly struck out to buy a home that would add meaning and satisfaction to her life. It began with a dream, grew to a hope and materialized in ownership. Our life in Christ is such an endeavor. God is like the agent who understood the needs of Nancy and worked to enable her to achieve her goal. But like the agent, who was not certain Nancy wanted to continue with him, He will not remain where he is not welcome. He loves us but even the Most High God needs our love. He is the author of love. He molded and fashioned us in love and created us in His Image of Love. He is love. We are like Him when we love. That’s why we love Him so much. Kochana, that’s also why I love you so much. You have all the qualities of Nancy and you’re love is pure, genuine and steadfast, like the love of our God Most High. It is the three of us, The Lord, you and me, that make our house a home. When you saw the house you wanted God saw that you got it. It was my privilege to come along for the grand ride but it is truly God who wills and enables us to do all good things. In life it is always true that Nancy (we) gets her (our) home, when we reach out in faith to the one true friend who loves our soul.
I love you, and we give thanks to our God who loves us all, Kochany
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