Oswald and the Landlord

Oswald and the Landlord

There once was a landlord who had extensive holdings in the hearts of people but only one holding with a tenant.

The landlord wanted to be gracious and kind but as she struggled with her own financial strain, she was unable to bear the tenant’s financial strain.

As was her usual way, she scurried about trying to fix it herself but in the end could see no solution.

The morning her sorrowful anxiety seemed untenable, she sat on her porch, praying. Hoping the cool, bright day would ease her heaviness.

Her friend, Oswald, a learned, holy man, was out for his morning walk and found her there.

As she looked up, he could see the strain on her face and he sat down quietly next to her, taking her hands in his. They sat silent for a long moment.

“Tell me, child, what troubles you so?” he gently asked.

She intended to hide her struggle but his clear and certain perception of her need broke her tenuous hold and her struggling flowed out in waves of quick, sharp words and tears.

As her bursting ebbed, she wiped her eyes and haltingly managed to say, “I was praying for guidance when you came.”

After a breath of silence, Oswald responded, patting her hand,

“It is good you asked for help,” he said. “We are not made to live this life in our own power. We are made for connection with God,” he paused, “His guidance gives the strength needed for the journey.”

“Yes,” she nodded wordlessly, still feeling the emotions of her tale but also understanding that Oswald offered his words, not as a scolding, but rather as the gentle reminder she needed.

Oswald continued, “Jesus tells us in His book of John, verse 16:33, ‘In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Suddenly ashamed and before she could control her words, she blurted out roughly, her hands shaking, “But what if my ‘tribulation’ is the result of my own doing?”

“Oh, how you struggle so, my child,” he said softly, nonplussed by the force of her words, “Our God is not a God of blame, dear one. Our God is love and uses our weaknesses to show His strength through us.”

These familiar words, somehow, calmed her shaking. Oswald looked into her wide, blue eyes. “God gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life, whether through our own weakness or not, is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength.”

After a time of silence together, her fear subsiding, Oswald continued, “Overcoming your own timidity, as you did when you prayed, was your first step. Now God is able to give you nourishment.”

“Nourishment,” she considered this.

“Yes,” she said to herself. “There is nourishment in the living water of God’s Word, especially when shared through the kindness of another.” She began feeling hopeful, lighter, as gratitude filled her.

Seeing her soften and relax, Oswald added one more thought.

“Our temptation, always, is to face adversity from our own common sense. But Jesus says ‘be of good cheer’ even when we are seemingly defeated by our adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible for everyone, except God.”

With this, he patted her hands and smiled as he got up and silently continued on his way.

~~~~~~~~~
AMRB, 8/2019
Flagstaff
Activated by O. Chambers’
My Utmost for His Highest:
August, 2 entry.