For seven years I ’ve been debt - free . No credit - card debt , no school loans , no mortgage … nothing .
I might not be in this unambiguously un - American state of matter of being if it was not for my friend Bill .
develop up , Bill and his wife Linda were pillar in the small church I wait on with my parents . Linda taught my Sunday school class and put up with more than her fair share of hassle from me . If you think I ’m crazy now … well , as a fry I was really … different .
Bill was a deacon . He finish up a Protestant deacon because he was already doing everything a deacon would do . If something postulate doing , he ’d probably already done it . He would grin at you as he cart out a purse of tripe or stacked tables , or shake off your hand and ask how you were when you walk in . He was always laughing , too . To be around the guy rope was to finger lightened in spirit .
What does this have to do with my being debt - free ?
A 10 ago I was in rocky physique financially . I had been freelance in radiocommunication production piece of work and as the economy tank , so did one contract after another . I was go away with very little . Rachel and I possess a little house in Tennessee which I had rented out to a Quaker while I was living near category in Florida . When I lost my work , I could n’t keep up with the rent on my own house in Ft . Lauderdale so I moved into a trailer park … and then the “ supporter ” who was lease my little mansion in Tennessee depart pay rent and would n’t answer calls . alternatively of speak through whatever was keep him from bear up , he send out me an email threatening legal action mechanism against me . Without that rent money , I could n’t cover the mortgage on that theater – and I could scarcely cover the rip on our trailer !
I was in trouble . Rachel and I had just had a babe – which was also expensive – and thing were very stressful . One daylight I called Bill to say hi and we ended up having a conversation about religious belief . He say me that he also had been in debt once and simply decided to pray that God would pay it off . Bill had done so , and after some months of praying , out of the bluing a humans wrote a check and give off his mortgage .
Personally , I thought that was rather presumptuous . Just … ask God if He would pay off my debt ? But … I determine , why not ? The uncollectible that could happen was God would n’t do it , right-hand ?
So I set out praying . Bill ’s direct and wide-eyed approach seemed as good as any alternative . But … I did n’t end up debt - free right by .
A friend stop by the house in Tennessee for me and order “ David – guess what ? The house is empty ! ” At that point , I decide I needed to dilute my losses in Florida and go back to Tennessee with Rachel and our untested children … so we moved back into the little rental house . The bathroom flooring had half rotted out and a few things needed repair , but it was informal .
And I hold praying . And I decided I would n’t take on another penny of debt for any ground .
A brace of years afterward , along camethe Nashville inundation . Though we were outside the city , the hurry of water through the drain channel behind our house work into a rushing brown flood and destroyed year worth of soil - building . I had a foot of mulch , garden beds , planters , a span … all sweep away and ripped down to the undersoil .
I told Rachel “ I ’m done ! It ’s over ! We ’re outta here ! ”
And that Monday , I lean the planetary house for sale .
Eventually , it sold and we be active back to Florida , this sentence settling in a rental house in Citra . Now we were debt - free and we had hail out ahead a piddling bit thanks to the house sale , but we possess nothing . I was not making much money still but I was doing okay . And we had a few more children . And I really wanted some land to call our own … but the money I had in the bank was less than half the cost of a gaudy house .
And I kept implore .
Then – out of the risque – we line up out that Rachel ’s auntie had set aside money for Rachel in a college store which had never been claimed . Rachel had used some of it for college but thought it was empty . It was n’t . In fact , there was $ 41,000 dollar in the account !
We were mishandle away . All the time I had been praying , there was already a supply laid up for us .
Rachel claimed the money and along with what we had made off the sale of our bungalow in Tennessee , we had just about $ 75,000 . We looked at a foreclosure that was listed for $ 109,000 and liked it , so I offered $ 50k , much to the chagrin of my real estate agent , who did n’t want to insult the listing factor . “ Just offer it , ” I said , and she did .
The listing agent was angry about the low offer , but presented it to the savings bank anyhow . Lo and behold , they do back with a counter go of $ 85,000 . I secernate them there was no fashion I could do that and I offer $ 65,000 .
And … they came back with a counter of $ 75,000 .
Sold .
I was debt - free and owned a home . Granted , I had stint and saved for years and had vote out all debt except for mortgage debt … but God had done the rest and more than we could have redeem . And Bill was the one who said , “ just implore ! ”
I call him after bribe the house and shared the story . He laugh and was n’t surprised at all .
That ’s a man of faith for you . I ’m always surprised when thing act upon out well . He was n’t .
Back in time a petty further …
I grew up with Bill ’s daughter AZ . She ’s maybe 2 - 3 years young than me and was cute and svelte . We never dated , though , and I run across Rachel when I was 20 and never look back .
After contribute Rachel along to Christian church with me a few time , Bill draw me aside between military service , his paw on my articulatio humeri .
“ David ? ”
“ Yes ? ”
“ What are your intention with that missy ? ”
“ Rachel ? ” I asked , taken aback . “ Well , I like her a lot . I ’d wish to marry her . ”
He shook his head word at me . “ David , come ON ! ” he exclaim . “ What about AZ ? ? ? ”
He looked at me like I had completely lease him down .
“ I ca n’t consider you ! ” he said .
I never jazz I was supposed to splice his daughter … and by the time I did , I was right smart too in love with Rachel . If you ’re reading this , AZ , I am sorry you missed the chance to wed the most good-looking garden author in the tropics .
As Bill get sr. , he became sick with a degenerative disease that really remove its toll on him . He spent a destiny of time in and out of the hospital . When I was in townspeople , I would sometimes see him at church service or go sojourn . Linda would recount me to hold on making jokes and making up ridiculous songs on the piano , though , as I would get Bill laughing so firmly he ’d begin lose his hint .
On the 24th of February , Bill ’s breath finally did give out and he left this world for the next . He was with kinsperson when he died and he result behind his wonderful married woman plus loving children and grandchildren .
I overleap you brother , but we shall run across again . You shared the faith that help me pay off my debt to the bank … but to you I owe a debt I can not riposte .
Have a sign Lord ’s Day , everyone .
- * *
Give spike to my Word of God , O Lord;consider my groaning .
Give aid to the sound of my cry , my Martin Luther King and my God , for to you do I pray .
O Lord , in the aurora you see my voice;in the morning I prepare a forfeiture for you[a ] and watch .
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;evil may not populate with you .
The self-aggrandising shall not stand before your eyes;you hate all sinner .
You put down those who address lies;the Lord abominate the bloodthirsty and Janus-faced man .
But I , through the teemingness of your stiff love , will enter your house . I will accede down toward your holy templein the fear of you .
direct me , O Lord , in your righteousnessbecause of my enemies;make your fashion straight before me .
For there is no the true in their mouth;their inmost self is destruction;their throat is an open grave;they flatter with their clapper .
Make them bear their guilt , O God;let them fall by their own counsels;because of the teemingness of their transgressions sick them out , for they have arise against you .
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;let them ever babble out for joy , and scatter your protection over them , that those who do it your name may exult in you .
For you bless the righteous , O Lord;you get across him with favour as with a shield .
-Psalm 5 , ESV
