Wednesday, November 21, 2007
In His time and into thin air
If yesterday weren't the 20th of the month, I probably would not have read Proverbs 20. Along with regular devotionals, I started reading one chapter of Proverbs each morning before work.
If you're not accustomed to the KJV, I'll translate in "The Message" which twists the real meaning of even these short verses.
You can see why I'm sticking with the KJV and my Hebrew/Greek translations, but I digress.
I've just gotten a series of frantic phone calls and an email from my realtor. The papers are all ready to send to the title company, and we can sell the condo and move on with life - with one small snag. They (whoever 'they' are) want me to sign an addendum stating that the value of the washer & dryer is $50. Well, they're almost new and worth more like $1000.
I run the very real risk of loosing the deal because of this inability to compromise. Actually, I'm very willing to compromise. Much to his amazement, I've given my realtor a few options.
Value the washer & dryer at $1000 and see if the loan company lets it through.
Gift the washer & dryer to the buyer (a sort of move in bonus)
Credit the buyer some value
Lower the asking price (again)
Then, the realtor called back with another idea. How about if we just say that the washer and dryer are not included in the sale of the house, and then just leave them when I move out? Brilliant! I still don't know if the 'powers that be' will accept this, but there comes a time when you just need to step out in faith. That's pretty easy since I'm stepping off of thin air to begin with.
This whole process has been running on faith. Read Hebrews 11. If the deal falls through finally, I will have learned something. I'm not who I was (see next entry). A few years ago I could justify actions like that by saying that it doesn't affect buyer or seller in a financial way one iota. I'm not getting any more or less money for the condo, and he's not paying any more or less for it. The only thing in the way of this transaction seems to be a tiny piece of paper that will be filed into oblivion that states that the value of the washer and dryer is $50.
The trouble is that it would have my signature on it, and I can't do that. The other trouble is that I really feel God leading me to leave this place. Unfortunately, I don't have direction yet on where He wants me to go, but so far I haven't had to worry about that.
"Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord."
"It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth."
Proverbs 20:10,14
If you're not accustomed to the KJV, I'll translate in "The Message" which twists the real meaning of even these short verses.
"Switching price tages and padding the expense account are two things God hates."
"The shopper says, 'That's junk - I'll take it off your hands,' then goes off boasting of the bargain.
Proverbs 20:10,14 (The Message)
You can see why I'm sticking with the KJV and my Hebrew/Greek translations, but I digress.
I've just gotten a series of frantic phone calls and an email from my realtor. The papers are all ready to send to the title company, and we can sell the condo and move on with life - with one small snag. They (whoever 'they' are) want me to sign an addendum stating that the value of the washer & dryer is $50. Well, they're almost new and worth more like $1000.
I run the very real risk of loosing the deal because of this inability to compromise. Actually, I'm very willing to compromise. Much to his amazement, I've given my realtor a few options.
Then, the realtor called back with another idea. How about if we just say that the washer and dryer are not included in the sale of the house, and then just leave them when I move out? Brilliant! I still don't know if the 'powers that be' will accept this, but there comes a time when you just need to step out in faith. That's pretty easy since I'm stepping off of thin air to begin with.
This whole process has been running on faith. Read Hebrews 11. If the deal falls through finally, I will have learned something. I'm not who I was (see next entry). A few years ago I could justify actions like that by saying that it doesn't affect buyer or seller in a financial way one iota. I'm not getting any more or less money for the condo, and he's not paying any more or less for it. The only thing in the way of this transaction seems to be a tiny piece of paper that will be filed into oblivion that states that the value of the washer and dryer is $50.
The trouble is that it would have my signature on it, and I can't do that. The other trouble is that I really feel God leading me to leave this place. Unfortunately, I don't have direction yet on where He wants me to go, but so far I haven't had to worry about that.
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Operator: "911. What's your emergency?"
Me: "Um, I think I just shot myself in the foot."
Operator: "Alright. Stay calm, sir. Can you explain what happened?"
Me: "Well, I'm trying to sell my condo, and the realtor wants me to sign a document for the loan company stating that the value of my washer and dryer is only $50. It's really worth about $1000, and I've decided that it wouldn't be ethical for me to sign it."
Operator: "Ah, and you're concerned that without this paperwork, you risk not selling your property because the loan won't be approved?"
Me: "Exactly."
Operator: "Have you ever trusted God before, sir?"
Me: "Well, yes. Of course."
Operator: "O.K. We're going to get through this. Do you have any reason to believe that He will let you down this time?"
Me: "No."
Operator: "Sir, I strongly suggest that you continue trusting God."
Me: "O.K."
Operator: "Do you require prayer at this time?"
Me: "Yes, please."
Operator: "Alright. Help is on the way. Just try to stay calm, and apply prayer to where it hurts."
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Me: "Um, I think I just shot myself in the foot."
Operator: "Alright. Stay calm, sir. Can you explain what happened?"
Me: "Well, I'm trying to sell my condo, and the realtor wants me to sign a document for the loan company stating that the value of my washer and dryer is only $50. It's really worth about $1000, and I've decided that it wouldn't be ethical for me to sign it."
Operator: "Ah, and you're concerned that without this paperwork, you risk not selling your property because the loan won't be approved?"
Me: "Exactly."
Operator: "Have you ever trusted God before, sir?"
Me: "Well, yes. Of course."
Operator: "O.K. We're going to get through this. Do you have any reason to believe that He will let you down this time?"
Me: "No."
Operator: "Sir, I strongly suggest that you continue trusting God."
Me: "O.K."
Operator: "Do you require prayer at this time?"
Me: "Yes, please."
Operator: "Alright. Help is on the way. Just try to stay calm, and apply prayer to where it hurts."
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