Hurricane Ian hit my city really hard. It was an unexpected move by the sly and crafty storm that devastated the area. Years later, recovery is still underway in certain parts of the southwest Florida region.
Although I wasn't personally affected, my business suffered a decrease in sales. That took a toll on my expenses and I had to make adjustments financially. My budget was curtailed to the minimum I could afford in the basic necessities and monthly responsibilities. I decided that, with the rising cost of inflation looming ahead, the best option for me would be to relocate to a more affordable community. And so, I began my search for a place that could accommodate my relocation checklist.
It was a tireless and exhausting effort. I hadn't been involved in the house hunting market in years and found the entire process overwhelming. The realtors who I had enlisted were coming up empty handed. Months passed and I was becoming frustrated. Prayers I had prayed seemed to have bounced off walls and ceilings. At times that I was voicing my concerns and mild complaints to God, I casually wondered whether or not he was even listening. Had He become weary with my constant nagging cries?
Eventually, I just quit trying and resolved in my mind that perhaps this was where He wanted me to be, for now, until such time....if indeed there would be an opportune time for a move. I would simply be still and wait. Being an impatient soul, though, that would prove itself as a major challenge.
It took a trip to Orlando to turn things around.
I had reserved a spot at a Life Surge conference, and it so happened that the hotel at which I stayed had a VIP offer for which I qualified. Favor! During my week's stay at the resort, I chose to attend a local church, Calvary Orlando. At the end of the service, I made my way to the altar to engage one of the prayer counselors. I was led to speak with a lovely lady, Dana, who poured into me, so much so that I was left in tears. The prayer she prayed was so tender and anointed, it touched the depths of my soul. That morning, I left with hope in my heart to keep pursuing and persevering through my situation to breakthrough.
I returned to the hotel and accessed the website I had used to search for affordable housing. I had no idea the location in which God desired for me to reside. Although the states of NC, TN, GA and TX were on my "Places of Possibilities,"Â I inherently felt a peace that FL was still at the top of the list. It was just that the residential home prices within the Sunshine State were way out of my reach. It would have to take a miracle from God for it all to happen.
Scrolling through the communities that appeared on-screen, my eyes came across one I had never seen before. It was a new development and had only a few units available. What stunned me was that one of the units that I had seen met my price range. How could that be? In Florida? The price was ideal. I immediately contacted the office online for more details and eagerly awaited their response. I prayed and hoped they would do so expeditiously, unlike the many other leasing offices which had never bothered to respond in kind.
The following morning I received an email from the property management office with the information. Naturally I would have to see the location and survey the area, so I made a call to schedule the visit. An hour's drive away was doable from the hotel resort. I made the trip two days later. I was pleased with the community's location; it was a quieter and a bit more remote area than that to which I was accustomed. As a retiree, I had desired a senior residential facility but unfortunately, no units had been available and I would have had to be placed on a wait list. The friendly and pleasant leasing office team had suggested that I apply for the alternative income-restricted units. On taking the property tour, I prayerfully made the decision to follow suit.
Things moved pretty quickly that afternoon. From completing the online application, to providing and submitting the required documentation, it was a rapid fire process until it hit a bump. I had one other document to submit: my social security benefit letter. I had to access the department's website but that proved futile because of the old phone number that was still in my account profile, which I had determined would be my security measure to login. As I had been hacked months earlier, I had changed my phone number but had forgotten to update it on the social security website. It would take me deleting the entire account and a 24 hour delay to regain access.
I explained the hiccup to the office team members after which they offered a possible resolution; that is, to visit the local social security administration office to request assistance. Located approximately 20 minutes away with closing hours at 5 pm as I was told, I decided I would have ample time to take the risk. I made the attempt not to speed en route to the destination and as I pulled into the parking lot, observed how empty it was. A good sign, I thought, which meant I'd be seen with minimum wait time. Dashing up the steps and walking briskly into the lobby, I saw a security guard at the entry door who announced that the office was closed. How? I had gotten there at 4:06 pm. Glancing on the door, I noticed the operating hours that indeed, 4pm were the closing hours.
I felt defeated. Sitting helpless in the car, I silently prayed: "Lord, if this is for me, it is for me."Â I pulled out my phone and called the leasing office. They suggested I try the Orlando office the next morning but stated that there was no guarantee that the selected unit would be available as other applicants were in the process of obtaining the same. First come, first served. I thanked them and drove back to the resort.
That night, I had a thought to try an alternative means to access the social security website. If one of three methods did not work, I'd try another by creating an entirely new account. Now, as stated on the government site, only one method is required to login; two are not allowed. Yet I decided to make an attempt to see if that was true. It took me several attempts to proceed through the intricate digital security measures. And then it happened! I finally gained access! I immediately uploaded the letter to the property management's website and submitted the document without further issue.
A few hours later, another requirement email reared its head. They needed a notarized written letter of declaration regarding my business income. Okay then. I would have to locate a printing facility with a notary the next morning. I located a nearby UPS office and walked in. However, the retail clerk stated that the notary was unavailable but that there was another office minutes away. I called the other facility and was told that a notary was on site. As I hurriedly drove toward the location, I glimpsed a FedEx office which was conveniently situated in a plaza. It was not on my radar. I pulled into the parking lot and walked inside. The kind clerk had the document printed, notarized and faxed to the leasing office in minutes. Another item checked off the list. I was curious as to how many more requirements there were to go through.
On my way back to the hotel, I had a short chat with the Lord. I had done all that I could do; now, it was up to Him to do the rest. And I left it there, in His capable care...trusting Him in the details.
It was just a few hours later that another email appeared in my inbox from the property management office. I read the first line. You have been APPROVED! I was in! I had a place! An affordable space! Just like that, in a matter of 24 hours, from application to submission, I was approved for, not only affordable housing but, affordable NEW housing!
He makes all things new!
With a heart of gratitude and praise I thanked God, and continue to thank Him, for His goodness, His faithfulness, His grace and His mercy. I am determined to use this new space for His glory, in all things that He chooses me to do.
The following Sunday, I returned to Calvary Orlando. At the end of the service, I made my way back to the altar and found my intercessor, Dana, but this time it wasn't for a prayer request but with a praise report to convey the good news. I am so appreciative of her for standing in the gap for me in my time of need.
Where two or more are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst. (Matthew 18:20)
When you call unto Me, I will answer and show you great and mighty things which you may not know. (Jeremiah 33:3)
Those promises, in themselves, are enough to love and trust, to lean and to depend upon, the mighty God of the universe. Just because, He is....
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