AN OBJECT LESSON IN FAITH

The view from my dining room window.

Q: HOW YOU LIVIN’? A: ON GOD’S TERMS.

“This is GOD ’s Word on the subject: “…I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”

Jeremiah 29:10-11 MSG

For the past several years I have been applying, through a website, to rent an apartment in a luxury building at an affordable rent. This website displays many opportunities for moderate-to-low income folks, to “win” a luxury apartment at a rent based on their income level. Applicants are randomly selected through a lottery process. Most of the buildings are in the mid-construction phase so they don’t begin the tenant selection process for at least a year or two.

I only apply for luxury apartments in neighborhoods where I would like to live, and in buildings with amenities that suit my lifestyle. You know like a dishwasher, an in-unit washer and dryer, a fitness center, and building parking.

In the Summer of 2016, I submitted an application through the website for this incredible building in midtown Manhattan. In the Spring of 2018, I was randomly selected to submit an application for residence in that building; but the application process didn’t get very far because there had been a change in my originally stated income. Needless to say, I was devastated by their decision, but I kept submitting digital applications and praying for another opportunity for me to get an apartment that was affordable.

I already have a beautiful Brooklyn apartment that I’ve lived in for nearly 20 years, with a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline — which is being altered by new construction day by day! But my beautiful apartment is not affordable. I am managing but I’m a retired NYC schoolteacher on a fixed income…so affordable is quite relative.

Forty-nine weeks, less than one year later, after I had been randomly selected and rejected for that luxury Manhattan apartment, I received an email from another luxury building. This time the address was in my beloved Brooklyn and it was an invitation to submit further documentation for the application process. I just knew that I was going to move into the affordable apartment of my dreams. Of course, I had my prayer team on the case, and I was sure that the Lord Himself was going to “give” me that apartment after the devastating disappointment of the year before. Surely He wouldn’t tease me by letting me be randomly selected out of tens of thousands of other people and not “bless” me with this opportunity this time! I actually couldn’t imagine not getting the apartment. I prayed and thanked the Lord for it. I printed out the floor plan and imagined how my furniture would look along that wall…in that corner… But I quietly and fearfully prayed, I want Your perfect will Father.

It was months before I heard from the building. I waited in anticipation that God was working all things out together for my good — that being the perfect apartment, on the perfect floor, with the perfect view at the perfect rent. I anxiously scanned my inbox daily, looking for an email from that building. And when it finally came it read, Thank you for applying…but due to an extremely large number of applicants, we are not able to accommodate all…

Again? No Father, not again…another denial? I can’t. I don’t understand.

And then Jesus spoke, This is my perfect will for you…this beautiful affordable apartment! Haven’t I always supplied all of your needs. This is the home I have provided for you to live in.

Joy and gratefulness flooded my soul. Almighty God spoke to me yet again. I know His voice. I know His loving caring ways are higher than my ways and His plans for me are perfect. 

No longer feeling disappointed I prayed, Thank You Father that I am living in Your perfect will! Thank You Jesus that You live with me and keep me safe and secure in my beautiful apartment and in this beautiful life in Christ…living on Your terms. AMEN!