This, this, this, mortgage property tax fiasco has been the latest in a series of unfortunate events related to our house. Last week, I shared a bit of the transcript and my rage and frustration after speaking to the tax representative at LA County and feeling stuck in an infinite loop. This week, after 3 more phone calls to my mortgage company, I can say that finally, in this battle related to our house, I have won!
Do you ever have moments where you just dread an encounter? The encounter (in this case, a phone call) is necessary, but it takes every bit of grit you have to force yourself to take action. Today, I did it. I made the dreaded phone call again.
Pre- Phone Call Commentary:
End of Phone Call- Victory:
So, Joy, why are you wearing a lion costume? Just for this post? No, but it sure came in handy to go into that phone call with a lion mindset today. Actually, I am an elementary school teacher and this is what I wore for Pajama Day during this Dr. Seuss Week. (This was a rad pair of pjs I found on clearance at Target a few weeks ago for $11.49! They actually FIT. So, I thought, I’m going to find a reason to wear those! Sure enough, Pajama Day arrived a few weeks later.) Here’s a couple more of my favorites with the lion’s-mane- hair to match my pjs.
Steve said my story today, as I was recounting it to him play-by-play, reminded him of the persistent widow parable. Here’s the text from Luke 18:1-8.
The Story of the Persistent Widow
18 1-3 Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, “There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: ‘My rights are being violated. Protect me!’
4-5 “He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, ‘I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won’t quit badgering me, I’d better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I’m going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.’”
6-8 Then the Master said, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?”
This passage makes me think of many other unjust things happening in the world. My property tax situation is so minor in comparison. Reading this parable today was a reminder to stand up for the weak. God has definitely equipped me, like the persistent widow, with a passion for justice.
May you all have courage like the persistent widow in whatever circumstances you find yourselves in at the moment. Roar like a lion— for justice.
At bedtime prayers, when I told Middle & Little about the good news that we don’t have to pay the extra $1000 a month on our mortgage, Middle said, “The chipped off piece of your soul came back!” (I laughed out loud. So dramatic, but kinda true.) Then she said, “Your gap got bigger.” (If you don’t know this, I have quite a gap between my front middle teeth.) Translation: I was smiling more today when she got home from school. I think this awful house situation has been weighing on me more than I realized and my kids have noticed. Thank God this battle in a series of battles, is over.
Until next week. Love you loves.
Gastric Bypass Update:
I’m still down 90 pounds. In a million years, I never thought I’d be able to say I’d lost that much weight.
I’m walking almost 4 miles a day, total, as my Fitbit measures it.
Sometimes I look in the mirror and don’t recognize myself, especially when I’m wearing lion pajamas. 🙂 RAWR!
Why You Keep Judging Me? 