No taller than a 10-year old, with a sly and suspicious gleam to her eye, she played the part of the proverbial evil landlady with me, while sweet as honey around Hubby. The other residents, also hostile, seemed amiable by comparison. And the dark, dank apartment revealed a miserly streak as well.
It rained half the year in that picturesque region which produced luxuriant landscape, as well as flourishing mildew. Between wiping walls with bleach, and tossing ruined shoes, I shed many a tear of frustration.
All that could go wrong, did!
But the real trial commenced when all that could go wrong did! And it was always my fault!
The sewage system clogged first.
My fault, for surely I had flushed a towel down the toilet! And in keeping with their frugal cheap ways, the landlords attempted the repair job, discovering that accumulated rocks had created the blockage. But it was Hubby who ended up having to fish all the filth out of the external sewage pipes.
Never a word of thanks or apology for ruined clothing, but at least we could flush the toilet again!
Then the incoming water dwindled to a trickle.
Soon drying up totally. Not a single a drop of water would come through! “Now what you have done?” she screeched. And because I had “done something” (though she knew not what) again refused to call a plumber. My patience, never great, was wearing ever thinner. Sandwiches and pizza (as much as I love it) were getting old!
Then at last, we found a new place! And none too soon. I’d had about all I could take!
But it was then that the lightning hit.
“This is impossible!” I thought, “like a scene from a bad movie! Or a nightmare! What else could go wrong? No water, no lights, all we need now is for the roof to cave in!” So I wearily added a lantern, candles, and kerosene to my shopping list, already aware that they would never call an electrician.
I dreaded telling the hated landlady. For yes, I was beginning to despise that woman.
“What have you done this time?” she screeched at me.
And I, through clenched teeth, spit out, “Signora, I didn’t do anything! I told you it was lightning.” Then added, since she obviously thought me capable of the impossible, “And I can’t make lightning. Only God can!”
To which, fortunately, she had no reply. For I fear I would have voiced my thoughts: “And if I could, I’d have hit your house, not mine!”
What kind of Christian was I?
Knowing hate is wrong, I asked myself, “What kind of Christian are you anyway?” But I was too weary to struggle with it. No lights, no water, drippy walls, hateful landlords.
So it was with great enthusiasm that I packed our few belongings – for we had finally found another place! And I wanted to be ready and waiting the minute Hubby returned with the keys! Six months in that tiny place -where we shared the bedroom/sitting room with our 14 year old son, and our 16-year old daughter slept on a chair-bed in the kitchen – had been far too long!!
But he returned crestfallen and key-less. The new landlord was like our current landlords: greedily wanting rent money, but without letting us live there! We could only use the apartment week ends only. Full-time rent for part-time use??!! Obviously we didn’t take it, but at least got our deposit back.
Even then, I realized the Lord was sparing us another bad situation. And I should have been grateful, but all I could do was sob. And wonder what lesson the Lord was trying to get through my thick skull!
Meanwhile, I needed to get my heart right. Yes, the landlady was hateful. She was vicious and mean, and I’m sure she hated me. But that didn’t make my hate right. Too often have I given tit for tat, claiming “You make me so mad!” Thinking I could blame others for my wrong actions and attitudes.
But we alone are responsible for how we act and think.
No one can make us mad unless we let them! [Read: Breaking Through Anger →]
So though my heart wasn’t in it, I started serving her tea and cookies, even sending some home with her. I knew the Lord wants us to do right, even when we don’t feel like it. So I said, “Lord, I’ll do my part and DO right, but you’ll have to love her for me. I can’t find manage that right now.”
And I discovered that when we treat our enemies with love, we soon start really loving them. Because when we do right, the Lord can change our heart. And even teach us to love people so unlovable!
“I’ll really miss you,” she cried when we finally moved. “You always treated me like a queen! And I’ve always felt so loved here.” Amazed, I asked the Lord, “How can it be?” But I just sensed him smilingly say, “Isn’t that what you asked me for?”
So I learned that both love and hate need nourishment. If we feed them, they grow. It’s a simple matter of deciding which we want to harvest!
Which are you growing: love and forgiveness or hate?
But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
Luke 6:27-28 ESV
Images: Tea set by Jill Wellington | Plant age by Silvia P | Others ©SignoraSheila.
Signora Sheila 
What a powerful testimony, Sheila. Only God can work that alchemy of grace (a Charles Spurgeon phrase I’m partial to!) in our hearts to transform hatred–which she deserved–to love. Your tea and cookies heaped coals of fire on her head (Proverbs 25:22)!
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Yes Nancy, who knew tea and cookies could do so much?! I’m so grateful that when we are unable he enables us. His strength is perfect in our weakness! How often we, his children, see this in our lives, and what a difference it makes! I love that alchemy of grace phrase! What a perfect description.
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Love, love, love this! Thank you for reminding us that we can be intentional with kind actions even if we don’t feel kind, and God will take care of the feelings. Great teaching and storytelling. Karen
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Thank you, Karen. That whole thing was a great lesson to me!! And a needed one!
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This is absolutely beautiful. I can feel Daddy God’s heart bursting with joy for your willingness to allow Him to shape you into His Son’s image!
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It wasn’t easy, but I learned so much from that experience!
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That is wonderfully noteable! ❤
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Hi! I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award because you bring me sunshine when I read your blog. Duh. Details are at: The Real Reality Show Blog Shine Blogger Award post.
https://therealrealityshowblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/30/sunshine-blogger-award/
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Wow, thanks! But I have decided to keep this blog award-free. While I really appreciate the honor behind awards, I simply cannot spare the time to do them. As you said, “Accepting them actually involves work!” But thank you anyway, and God bless!
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Great piece on something we could all use reminding of, Sheila.
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Yes it is something we all need reminding of Vanessa. I still need such reminders regularly. How simple it would be if we only needed one crash course. but I seem to need courses 101, 102, etc. Thankfully the Lord is patient!!
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Amen to that!
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What a wonderful, insightful post, Sheila. Thanks for it.
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Thank you Cynthia, the Lord taught me so much through that experience, difficult as it was!!
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Wow. Hard lessons to learn, hard concepts to grasp. I’d have probably gotten a failing grade in that one. It’s that willingness to go the extra mile in spite of what your mind shouts at you. I’ve been through a few of those, a few of them I passed, others I failed. Fortunately God facilitates rewrites with more opportunities until we get it right. Excellent post Sheila, thank you!
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I would have gotten a failing grade too Bruce, if it hadn’t been for God’s help, grace, and strength. So many times I’ve had to say, “Lord I can’t. You’ll have to do it through me.” And he does. And it’s so amazing it leaves us awestruck!!
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I’ve had a few of those too, but I sometimes allow my lips to move before the prayer goes up, and you know how that works out. You’re right of course, God can even make the right words come out of our mouth. Thanks so much for sharing. Blessings.
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Yes Bruce, I know too well!! Many are the times I’ve wished I didn’t have a tongue, lol! Blessings to you too.
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“And I learned that both love and hate need nourishment. If we feed them, they grow.”
This is SO good, Sheila!! Loving the unlovable. That spiritual fruit can be so hard, can’t it? But when we seek the Lord, He is always faithful to change our hearts. She will never forget you, and who knows what God will do with those faithful seeds you planted?
Thank you!
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Thank you Linda, that is our prayer. That those tiny seeds planted in her heart will grow. And once again, the Lord proved that love triumphs!!
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Oh, Sheila… this is so powerful! Thank you for sharing your heart and your God-inspired perspective!! ❤ and hugs!!
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Thank you Lynn, it was such a powerful lesson for me too. When we obey, God always takes that and does great things with it!! Hugs to you too!
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So very true! Thanks for sharing Sheila.
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Glad it blessed you Tom!
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Loving our enemies can mean loving the person and not their actions. 🙂 Loving each other can be a blessing to us and to others. 🙂
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Yes, yes yes, Mimi. But loving her was still pretty hard for me! Thankfully, the Lord didn’t give up on me!!
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Great story!!
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Yes, because God does great things Jeff!!
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