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GailFriends - Being in the Right Place
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GailFriends - Being in the Right Place
By Gail Golden
Publicist and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Have you ever felt like you just weren’t in the right place? I had that feeling a few years ago. I began to pray about it, and eventually, God made it clear I was to move back to my old hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. Initially, I resisted the idea because I love Central Florida, and always said I would never move back to Jacksonville. The feeling that I wasn’t in the right place persisted to the point where I thought of Jacksonville night and day. Reluctantly, I gave in and made plans to move back to North Florida.
Although it was difficult to make the move, I knew deep down that God would work it out because He promised in Philippians 4:19, “to meet my needs according to His riches in glory.” I operated a home-based business that was movable so finding a job wasn't a problem. I just needed to find a place to live.
I prayed for guidance, but after my second house-hunting trip to Jacksonville, I grew weary. I could not find a place in my price range. Needing encouragement, I dropped by to see my old friend and prayer partner, Margie.
After listening to my woes, she said "Let's pray right now.” With a few, simple words, she asked God to help me find a house to rent. When finished, she said, "I feel like God is telling us to go to Rolling Hills (a nearby neighborhood.)" Margie grabbed her car keys and we took off!
We drove slowly around the whole neighborhood, but could not find any houses for rent. As discouragement nagged me again we turned down the last street and Margie suddenly screeched to a stop, pointed her finger to the right and said, "There's my friend, Susan!" Her friend looked up from weeding her flowerbeds and waved as we turned into her driveway.
"Hay, Susan, do you know of any houses for rent around here?" Margie yelled from the car.
"Not around here,” Susan yelled back, “but I do have a friend with a vacant house. Ya’ll wait a minute, and I'll call him.” She jumped up and ran inside.
When she returned, she told us her friend would meet us at the house and show it. When she told us the address, Margie and I both squealed with excitement! The house was on the same street as Margie's! We might be neighbors!
We hurried over to the house to meet the owner. When he got out of his car, I recognized him as Mr. Mangum, the husband of my daughter's 4th Grade Sunday School teacher! He was happy to see us and explained that he kept the house for sentimental reasons because it had belonged to his deceased parents. He also let us know he had never advertised the house for rent but would consider renting it to me if I liked it. After a tour, I knew the house was perfect for me. When he told me the details of the rental, I grew even more excited. He wanted no lease, no deposit, and would rent it for $450 a month, which was way under market value. He even committed to renovate the bathroom before I moved in. Wow!!
I was overwhelmed by God’s answer to prayer, and by His extravagance in letting my dear friend be my neighbor. I thanked Him repeatedly that day, and felt in awe of His mysterious ways of working out all the details for my move to Jacksonville.
A couple of weeks later when I arrived in my U-Haul truck at sundown, I saw a candle shining in the window and my friend Margie standing in the yard, waving me in! She had filled my cabinets and refrigerator with food, stocked my bathroom with supplies and had a hot meal waiting for me. Talk about encouragement! She is the queen!
I’m so glad I listened to that feeling about not being where I was supposed to be. God knew I would need to be close by my parents, who lived in Jacksonville, because during the following year, both were hospitalized. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, had surgery, and required daily chemo treatments. During that time, my dad couldn't drive her to the treatment center because of severe diabetic wounds on his feet. God knew they would need me, and He lovingly prepared the way for me to make the needed move. My dad passed away a year and a half after I moved back to Jacksonville, so I was glad I could be there with him and my mother during his last days. I’m so thankful for God’s goodness and for His guidance through my feelings of not being in the right place.
Gail is a ministry partner with and Publicist for Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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