In 2018, we made the executive decision to relinquish ownership of our townhome. We’d lived there more than 14 years in that home that held such strong memories, some good and many bad. We’d make a new start, we said; rent a home, repair our credit and our relationship. It was a great plan and we were excited. But even the best laid plans are subject to someone’s humanity.
We did everything right this time, just like some of Achan’s friends and relatives, probably did. Still, everything went horribly wrong and we found ourselves in the Valley of Achor.
We’d just had a major conquest and were back on track to get to our land flowing with milk and honey. We made our move and left Egypt behind. The first month, I remember laying next to my son, side by side, in his bed looking out his window at the golden moon shining through the treetops, lighting the August night. It was a beautiful view and I thanked God for it. In the moment, lingering sadness began to dissipate and I remember feeling so happy. Happier than I had been for awhile. Addiction had taken its toll on the marriage and our family, but healing was happening. Finally. That Christmas, we walked across the lawn and spent Christmas Eve with our new next door neighbors. We enjoyed pasta and various Christmas pastries as we took in the natural joy of the season. I felt truly blessed as I sat sipping my eggnog, not knowing what lay ahead in the coming year.
With the new year, came the letters in the mail. The homeowner, whom we were paying thousands of dollars of rent to, was behind in her mortgage payments! “I’ll get caught up,” she assured us. Instead, foreclosure notices and legal documents soon followed. The year was 2020; fear, tension, and general uncertainty were in the air, as the COVID virus swept through. To say, I was angry is an understatement. “How could you, God, when you know what we’ve already been through? You know what we’re trying to do! Right now, God, really!?” My anger wasn’t reserved towards God, either. There was no doubt or dispute that this landlord/homeowner was the true culprit. I had many choice and dark thoughts before coming to the conclusion, with God’s help, that this was no evil person. Maybe she was just an overly ambitious and under-prepared business woman who had bitten off more than she could chew?
We do tend to think of Achan as terribly wicked and maybe he was. Or maybe, he was just like you and me. After all, the best of us can get caught up in the worst way with lust and greed, at times. Staying angry at “Achan” wasn’t the way, however.
We mobilized and decided to treat this person with love and respect. We did our research and prayed our prayers, continuing to believe that God had called us there. In truth, we had some dismal days as we continued to pay our rent each month. There were more letters, visits from process servers, more empty promises and finally a sheriff sale. Now there was a new owner who wanted us out. We were lied on, forced to hire a lawyer and taken to court twice in his attempt to illegally evict us.
Having done all, there we stood in the Valley of Achor. It wasn’t time to give up, though the pain was raw and real. In the midst of it, as the ultimate loving father, God had given us the battle plan. Then, yes, He gave us the victory!
In the year 2023, our visit in the Valley of Achor came to a beautiful close as we closed the deal on our home. We, now, own the property that we once rented. The home they tried evicting us from is now ours! Just like those Israelites in the wilderness, who remained after the sin of Achan, there was a promised land!
The afflictions are real, but the Lord always delivers!
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