The Role Of Grace In Attaining Freedom
The role of grace in attaining freedom can be understood through an example that I’ve written about.
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I’d been paying my rent using my bank’s electronic funds transfer system (EFT). A few days after paying the current month’s rent, my landlord informed me that the payment hadn’t gone through.
After contacting my bank and the EFT company and not getting an explanation for what had happened, nor a resolution, my landlord served me with a 3 day notice to pay rent or quit (move out), citing nonpayment of rent. After three days, if the payment hadn’t been transferred and I didn’t make a second payment by check, my landlord would take steps to evict me.
From what I understand, it’s standard procedure for landlords to serve a notice, in case they have to take action. Usually, they work with tenants to resolve a problem. Still, I thought it was unfair because my landlord had requested that I use the EFT versus writing a check. I felt that, in exchange for doing my landlord a favor, I was being penalized for something that wasn’t my fault.
More days of talking to the bank, the EFT, and my landlord ensued until finally it was the night before the end of the 3 days and no solution was in sight. The payment still hadn’t transferred, and the EFT had provided my landlord with a search procedure that she wasn’t keen on doing. Both my bank and the EFT said I had fulfilled my obligation, providing a receipt. Would the landlord take further action? I had to make a decision. I prayed.
“Dear God, I don’t want to have to face an eviction, but I feel that I have to. I don’t think that what’s happening is right. It’s out of my hands that the money hasn’t transferred yet and I shouldn’t have to pay a second rent. I want to believe that a court would agree with me, if it came to that.”
Suddenly, the fear released from me, replaced by peacefulness, and a wave of calm and presence swept over me. Grace. Surrender. I fell asleep at peace.
In the morning my landlord texted me that the payment came through.
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Be clear about your fear and confront it, sitting with it until it passes. Feel a wave of calm and peacefulness wash over you.
Allowing grace opens a pathway for miracles, leading to freedom.
