A New Reality

Jan 28, 2024 | by The Fellowship

When my husband left for work that morning in 2021, I had no inkling that it would be the last time I would see him alive. On his way to the office, an oncoming truck suddenly swerved into his lane and wiped out his vehicle.

For some weeks I was in a fog of misery and despair. As I gradually began to assess my situation as a new widow, it became evident that one of my new realities was a much reduced income. We did not have children and I work full-time, but only my salary would be coming in to pay the bills. Would I be able to keep up with the mortgage on the house each month?

From the compassionate people at my church and those at my place of employment, I received offers to take care of anything that might need to be repaired or refurbished. How thankful I was to accept their offers, so immediate problems were quickly solved. But how could I generate more income?

My thoughts went to the apartment behind our garage. From the day we moved in, it had become the storage place for all our extra possessions. How quickly it had been filled up with things “we might need again.” It was just so convenient to stuff them there!

But monthly rental income would certainly help with mortgage payments! The next Sunday at church after the worship service, the pastor asked how I was doing. I mentioned the potential for some income that the garage apartment might provide. But it would need a lot of work to get it ready for rental – things like installing a shower and kitchen appliances.

Though some distance away, a young man in his mid-twenties who serves on the tech team overheard our conversation. He approached me to say he and his wife needed to move and were looking for a place. I explained how much work would be required to make the apartment livable. “Since I am a contractor, that would be no problem for me to handle!” he said.

I was stunned. Could the Lord be answering my prayer already? I warned the young man that I have four dogs. No problem, the couple loves dogs! They came to see the apartment and we struck a deal. The first thing I had to do was get all of our stuff out of there.

It is never easy to clean out accumulated possessions. I was very motivated, but it still took several weeks before I had the apartment emptied. Then the young husband went to work to create a nest they would enjoy living in. He is one of the hardest workers I have ever encountered and the results of his labor are excellent. It was not long before I was no longer alone on my property!

What a gift it has been to have them close! They have become like family. Not only does he take care of all the yard work, when anything needs to be fixed -- all I have to do is ask. He is truly a “jack of all trades” and nothing stymies him.  Very often his wife helps him and occasionally she prepares extra food and they bring me a meal! How great to have Christians who care just a few steps away!

Our Lord certainly shined His light into my darkness by bringing this young couple into my life. What wonderful  evidence of His promise to never leave or forsake me!

You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
Psalm 18:28