Lighting My Way Home

Life can be challenging, especially when you don’t have a place to call home. I was a single mom moving to a new city to start my new career as a nurse. I spent hours pouring over rentals online trying to find a place for my young son and me to live. Every time I saw an ad for a suitable place in a neighborhood that seemed safe, I would call the rental agency only to find out that the house had already been rented or had numerous applications ahead of mine. I was feeling discouraged. I realized that I wouldn’t have the luxury of viewing the house before filling out an application to rent it. There just wasn’t enough inventory for the myriads of people wanting to rent so I started applying for rentals without looking at them. I had felt strongly that I needed a place with a private backyard for my son to play. He suffered from anxiety and struggled with playing in public areas so I was avoiding townhouses and apartments. The time for me to start my job was approaching and I was beginning to feel desperate. I changed my filters to include townhouses. I found a beautiful townhome on a golf course. There was plenty of room for us and the backyard was green and pretty, but it was not private and was a communal space to be used by all the units. I was worried about how my son would adjust to the situation but felt that I had no choice but to take the rental. I wrote out the check to the rental company and got in my car to drive to the rental office. Just as I got in the car, my cell phone rang. It was the owner of a house that I had put in an application on. He explained to me that he had several other applications ahead of mine, but that he had been drawn to mine and wanted to interview me. After a long conversation, he stated that he felt good about renting to me and that I could have the house if I wanted it. The house was in a safe and quiet neighborhood close to my work and had a private backyard perfect for my son to play. I couldn’t believe it. At the very moment that I was about to rent something far less suitable for my son, the Lord placed this gift in my lap. I wasn’t the best applicant, but this kind landlord was prompted to pick me. I will be forever grateful that Christ had His hand in the details of my life that day! I felt His love, strength, and goodness. My son and I thrived in that warm comforting home as we were held in the Master’s hand.