Page 214 of Share with Me

A couple of knocks on the door at the top of the stairs echoed down to him. “Mr. McMillan, I have another appointment to go to. Have you decided?”

Lord, she wants to know now. Should I rent this house or not?

Until he heard from God clearly, Ivan knew he’d better not make any rash decisions. He had learned his lesson. What had Grandma Yun told him growing up?

Don’t do anything until you’re sure you’ve heard from God.

Radio silence right now. Ivan knew it wasn’t necessarily a big oldnofrom God. It could be that this wasn’t the time for him to make this decision. But two hundred dollars a month was only one-tenth of a way smaller apartment. What if this was his halfway house? What if this was God’s provision for him at this time in his life?

At peace, Ivan knew what he had to do. He reached the top of the stairs, where Meg was waiting, clicking her pen. “What kind of rental agreement did Brin—uh, the owner—say I can look at?”

Meg smiled. “Brinley has told me to expect the unexpected.”

“She has?”

“We have three different rental options. You can rent it monthly, biannually, or yearly. She told me to bring all options.”

She knows me well.

“Let’s take it one month at a time,” Ivan said. He wasn’t sure where he’d be six months from now. He hoped that Brinley would still be in the picture, but he wouldn’t be able to tell until they met for lunch Friday.

“She said that’s probably what you’d want.”

Ivan was amused. “What else did Brin say?”

“She said to make sure you know there’s a brand-new dishwasher in the kitchen.”

“Is there?” How could he forget her drying the plates and silverware after church one Sunday in December? Brinley had probably never done dishes before in her entire life. Yet she had helped him without complaining.

What a sweet spirit she had even before she met Jesus.

I have wronged her, Lord. How can I ever forgive myself?

Just like that the answer came to his heart.

Because Christ has forgiven you at the cross so long ago.

Those were based on Grandma Yun’s words, her tireless years of trying to impart Biblical truth to her grandchildren.

A rebuke. A reproach. A gentle reminder.

Go and sin no more.

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