It’s the second-to-last day for packing. I feel like I’m not anywhere I need to be for my big move. There’s still so much stuff that’s not in boxes, and I’m running out of cushioning material. The pressure is overwhelming.
I’ve had a busy day at work, but with some effort manage to make it to 5:00 PM Mass. It’s so good to see Father J. one last time to say good-bye. I’m trying not to get all weepy and sentimental and keeping it on a light note. We chat amicably for five minutes, and I snatch another final hug. Got to take what I can get. And we’re off, Jesus… but the Steubenville clergy better be huggers too.
I’ve been sitting on red-hot coals for my closing date in Vermont. Rocket Mortgage (what an irony!) has been dragging its feet and operating at a snail’s pace, even though I’ve kept telling them that I was supposed to close in Ohio on August 18. Well, that’s not going to happen now. But my moving date is firmly set—I can’t call off the moving truck.
M., my real estate agent, is sympathetic. He says he’ll call the homeowner in Steubenville and see if I can move in a few days earlier, before the official closing. The Ohioans are really coming through for me; such nice people. I can’t wait to live there.
I finally received my Closing Disclosure today. I can’t believe after all these reassurances that I would get my full payout of $150,000 out of the refinancing deal, they stiffed me again.
Just a few weeks ago, I talked to the supervisor of the “closing team,” and he swore that he’d make sure I would get the full amount. Now they raised their closing costs again by cutting into my payout, depriving me of several thousand dollars. Un-#$%^&-believable. (Sorry for the cursing, God.) It’s all good, though: K. says he’ll either give me the balance or pay for some of the materials he’ll need to fix up my new little house. I’m so glad he’s coming with me for a week or two—that’ll make the transition easier.
When I’m almost done fretting, I pull out my phone and check my Daily Bible Verse app. It says, Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you; neither will I in any way forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Wow. Again, exactly what I needed to hear at exactly the right time. Thank you, Jesus, for reminding me that you’ll always be with me. I love you so much. And sorry for neglecting you the last days and weeks. I feel bad about forgetting about you in all the mess and chaos, and all the chores I had to do and all the calls I had to make… whereas it’s especially in the difficult times when I need to remember you. Please forgive me. Signed, your Shannara.
Funny, this reminds me of a story I recently read: the Child Jesus appeared to a (later canonized) nun named Teresa (no, not Avila or Lisieux).
He said to her, “Who are you?”
She replied, “I’m Teresa of Jesus.”
He said, “Oh. Well, then I’m Jesus of Teresa.”
Please be Jesus of Shannara for me—today and forever.