Keeping it Real!

I have always tried to keep it real here on my blog.  I have shared joys, trials, struggles and everything in between.  This post is one of those trials and struggles post. 

A couple of years ago my parents downsized and we moved into their house.  We put our old house up for sale and prayed for God's will to be done.  When no one wanted to purchase the house we became discouraged.  We were not sure what to do.  A couple came to us and offered to rent the house for a year with the hopes of purchasing it in a year.  We thought our prayers had been answered.

They paid on time for the first month or maybe two.  Then the excuses started one after another.  We kept giving them the benefit of the doubt over and over again.  This has left us pretty much financially ruined!  They just do not care about our financial state.  When we contacted them to arrange a repayment they lashed out at us like we were the ones at fault.  We have been paying for two households on one income.  We put the house back on the market and have had an offer.  But now we find out the tenants have changed things around we were unaware of.  One including the furnace.  So the new buyers want the furnace fixed before going forward.

Matthew 5:39 and 42 tells us "But I tell you not to resist an evil person, But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away."

The question we've been asking ourselves is, does God want us to become doormats to people who just do not care? 

What most do not understand is that we do not use credit cards at all!  We save up money to purchase what our family needs (not wants).  So you can imagine what this has done to our finances.  Our savings account is zero.  We ended this week with just about $5 in the bank. 

We have had to go without the past couple of years.  Normally that really doesn't bother me as much because we have endured hard times in the past.  But we are not able to renew our membership to the museum we love so much.  For the first time in years we are unable to enjoy the peacefulness of that place.  That is the hardest thing for me to endure.  My husband is working himself to death trying to support our family.  I have applied for jobs outside the home to help out.  But like anyone looking for work the jobs are far and few between. 

Psalm 30:5 "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night But joy comes in the morning."

This weekend at the museum is the Laura Ingalls Wilder Day.  I'm feeling really sad because we have made it to ALL of them.  With my sadness comes anger toward this whole situation.  It really has been a nightmare! 

2 Timothy 2:3 "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

I know we will get through this.  When you are in the middle of something you really do not see the big picture.  Thank you for listening to me tonight.  We appreciate prayers about this situation.  Our tenants should be all moved out by Monday.  I'm praying they do not try to do any damage to the house.

2 Timothy 4:5 "But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

This is what we are trying to do.  It is not easy at all.  I would love a month of no trouble!