“LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF” [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].

Matt 19:19 AMP

The nail gun spoke loudly as a maintenance guy covered the exterior of windows down below with wood, securing the now empty apartment from vandals.

Finally the occupant/resident’s time was up; no more notices, warnings, 2nd-chances–she’d been evicted an hour before.

Over a lengthy time, I’d done my share of complaining about her screaming unintelligible curses till she was hoarse; throwing pots and pans; hammering incessantly inside her subsidized living quarters–all of this during the middle of the night; everything on my walls required repeated straightening.

In the last couple years, though, God melted my heart–miraculously turned my angry frustration into compassion.

She was afflicted with schizophrenia, couldn’t control her behavior, wouldn’t stay on prescribed meds–and none of my ultimately sincere earnest prayers for her healing, deliverance had availed.

How strange to catch a revelation of God’s grace and no longer need her to leave; I just wanted her to be okay, freed from her demons…because it was for such as these, as well as my own soul, that Jesus was willingly nailed to the Cross.

♠♠♠

This story is true.  Sadly, my neighbor refused all sources of help during the years she lived in the apartment below me.  She wasn’t the first resident to receive affordable housing, yet be unable to function well independently because she wouldn’t accept free available support resources.

People cannot legally be compelled to receive help.  And even when they stop paying their rent and do damage to the property–unless they commit a crime, the eviction process is complicated, lengthy.

Because of HIPPA, no one would respond to my requests for help for her (nor for previous neighbors on behalf of whom I’d made calls).  A concerned caring neighbor who’s not related to the person in need…meets a brick wall every time.

And my complaints to Management that her behavior was impacting my health?  “Sorry, but there’s nothing we can do”.  Sounds harsh, but they are powerless…they aren’t counselors or social workers. 

Over 27 years, I’ve learned to pray–for others, and myself.  If not for God’s grip on me, I wouldn’t be here.  I grew stronger by necessity, more devout in my faith. 

If that’s the way it had to be, well…I’m grateful.  The cost has been significant, the blessings immeasurable. 

“On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

©V.Sparrow, 2024

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