Sometimes I resist life, just like everyone else.
I was feeling stressed and overworked; then I reminded myself of the Truth. The truth is that when we surrender our resistance and blame, the good that surrounds us can come into our awareness. The spiritual truth is that we are immersed in and surrounded by Divine Mind. That Mind loves us unconditionally.
This is what happened.
It was a normal, busy week. I had an extraordinary number of issues to deal with. One of the most pressing was that our air conditioning units were not working properly.
The technician said that the compressor was kaput! He let me know that I would be getting a quote from someone in sales.
People started noticing that our Youth Area was very hot on Sunday mornings. Some of our tenants started complaining that their offices were too warm.
We have a large building with lots of space to cool. Our Executive Suites tenants reasonably can expect to have their suites cool. Our families can reasonably expect a pleasant atmosphere on Sunday mornings.
I expected that the price for fixing the compressor would be high — board members agreed that it might be over two thousand dollars! When the salesman gave me the quote for replacement, it was a high price tag — almost $27,000! It was for the entire air conditioner!
He also told us that all four units would need to be replaced because they were getting old. The discounted price for that was $100,000!
We immediately decided that we would get three other estimates because we are committed to due diligence. We believe in the motto: “Trust in God but tie up your camel!”
We created a list of four possible companies.
We also decided that we would not directly ask for a quote on a replacement of the entire air conditioner, but rather tell them that one of the units was not working to see what they would determine.
I called on Tuesday morning. The first person we called came over within an hour. He looked at the unit and said that it was beyond his expertise. He said he knew someone who would know how to deal with this non-cooling conditioner.
He called. The technician was available and came right over.
We followed our plan to see what the technician would suggest.
He said to us. I can see what is going on and I can fix it!
That is definitely an attitude that wins me over. Before he started working on the unit, Diane asked how much was he going to charge. He said that it would be a regular service call. We said to go ahead.
He was here for two hours. During that time he got the air conditioner to work! Youth Church was starting to cool!
He had temporarily gotten the unit that cools Youth Church to work but explained that we would need to replace the compressor.
His quote for installing a new compressor and for solving another problem was $2,200! By doing the right thing, and attempting to get other quotes, we saved $25,000!
I call it a miracle! It certainly is good for us!
Yet, it is no more or less than knowing for someone who has been diagnosed with a catastrophic illness, that we see them as whole, complete and perfect. And they are! It is no different from having someone feel deep despair because the love of his life is gone, to know that love is eternal and there are many opportunities to love in this lifetime.
In other words, knowing the spiritual truth does not exempt us from taking action. Treat and move your feet.
As the proverb goes: “Trust Allah, but tie up your camel!”
In your life, is there something you are putting off because it feels too big? Instead of telling God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big your God is!
As teacher of teachers, Emma Curtis Hopkins would remind her students: “There is good for me! and I ought to have it.”
There is a beautiful chant, written and performed by Melissa Phillippe titled, “Tender Yes.”
The lyrics are:
“As I say a tender yes, to everything that comes to me,
My heart is open, I am free.
I open to all that is. It brings me to my knees.
I surrender. I am peace.”
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