Building, Binding, Healing: The Habitat Way
“It was always the most rewarding and satisfying moment of every project. Marissa liked to come early on dedication day to quietly survey the area and to speak with God. She sat on one of the folding chairs amid the rows under a canopy in the front yard of the newly completed Habitat for Humanity home. She gazed at the finished product. It was so neat and tidy, sturdy and safe—just perfect for Deborah and her children….
For now, however, Marissa simply wanted to “Thank God” for His continued blessings. Examining the freshly painted tan exterior with crisp, black shutters accentuating the front windows, the sincere Christian woman also prayed for a friend.
“Dear Lord,” she began in earnest. “I know your plan is always best. And I know you make all things come together for good for those who love you and keep your commandments. If I might, I’d like to ask you to please touch Paul’s heart. I truly believe you brought him into my life for a reason. There’s something about him, even he doesn’t realize.”
________________________________________________________________
“Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’” Deuteronomy 1: 29-31
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Just imagine how Marissa must feel-sad, frustrated, even confused-yet, still so hopeful for God’s intervention with Paul. Perhaps, she doesn’t realize herself the depth of her feelings for this man, who, on the surface, seems completely unsuited as a love interest for such a devoted woman of faith. Not only is he not a Christian, but his whole life is based on fighting against God.
What is the “something” Marissa perceives? It’s obvious Paul is a mess within his own psyche; even if he exudes a scowling confidence. He won’t allow others to think he’s gone soft, or is even questioning everything he thought he had figured out. So he ramps up the hard exterior that would have anyone else leaving him by the wayside.
But not Marissa - God has given her a discerning spirit. Because of her lifelong commitment to Bible study and a fulfilling prayer life, the young disciple is attuned to the Holy Spirit speaking to her through human feelings. She is able to remain poised and calm while speaking to her Heavenly Father, thanking Him for all things, even as she makes her requests known.
Marissa can feel God’s tug not to take her eye off Paul’s potential. If he could only alter the hate and misinterpretation in his heart, she knows the transformation would be an astoundingly, beautiful soul, given to service for others. Putting all focus on her teaching career, and the Habitat for Humanity program she loves, helps absorb the strain, allowing the peace needed to wait on God.
_________________________________________________________________
“…but as it is written: ‘To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.’” Romans 15:21
“For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.” Romans 15:26-27
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“What kind of giving, loving, all mighty deity causes so much pain for a little boy, huh?” Paul shouted loud enough to strain his throat while shaking a clenched fist and looking up to the Heavens. “All I wanted was a family to love me, so I could love them. But you took them all away!”
“Do you hear me?” Paul continued yelling, “I wanted to believe your goodness like Grandma talked about. I wanted to feel like I mattered—I just want to be able to feel something!”
“Habitat,” Paul muttered under his breath while his mind raced in an effort to make the puzzle pieces fit. “Strength, Stability, and Self-Reliance through Shelter”—the latest motto of the affordable housing organization perfectly fit the one person who brought it all together. “Marissa!”
________________________________________________________________
“‘I’ve been going through a bit of a struggle myself, Paul…’
Max stopped abruptly as the young couple in his den waited anxiously for the follow up.
‘He (God) used the situation with you and Habitat for Humanity…,’ Max stopped again, showing a vulnerability that Paul didn’t think he had.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Paul to Marissa to Max, the plot flows in and around their lives, situations, and struggles like the movement of someone cautiously sliding puzzle pieces around each other until they lock firmly into place. While we can never fully understand God’s perfect plan, or how circumstances and our own decisions can alter the best of those plans for us, keeping faith and a love for our neighbors will always result in a perfect picture.
Do you suppose Paul attained this realization in time? Would Marissa give up on getting through to Paul? Does Max find it within himself to open up to his family about how an unlikely alliance with Paul and Marissa, through Habitat for Humanity, brought him back to God for good.
I hope you will want to find out by reading the entire novel, “The Condition of Living: Building, Binding, Healing the Habitat Way.” It is expected to be in print by the first week of October 2016!
Many thanks to all who have read my Blogs throughout the process of writing this book. And many thanks for those who share an have an interest in purchasing a copy! All the glory for any success of my talents goes to God who gives me strength and ability!
Ten percent of all proceeds goes to benefit the Habitat for Humanity mission in Hart County and around the world.
Grace and Blessings to all,
Darlene Nixon
“It was always the most rewarding and satisfying moment of every project. Marissa liked to come early on dedication day to quietly survey the area and to speak with God. She sat on one of the folding chairs amid the rows under a canopy in the front yard of the newly completed Habitat for Humanity home. She gazed at the finished product. It was so neat and tidy, sturdy and safe—just perfect for Deborah and her children….
For now, however, Marissa simply wanted to “Thank God” for His continued blessings. Examining the freshly painted tan exterior with crisp, black shutters accentuating the front windows, the sincere Christian woman also prayed for a friend.
“Dear Lord,” she began in earnest. “I know your plan is always best. And I know you make all things come together for good for those who love you and keep your commandments. If I might, I’d like to ask you to please touch Paul’s heart. I truly believe you brought him into my life for a reason. There’s something about him, even he doesn’t realize.”
________________________________________________________________
“Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’” Deuteronomy 1: 29-31
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just imagine how Marissa must feel-sad, frustrated, even confused-yet, still so hopeful for God’s intervention with Paul. Perhaps, she doesn’t realize herself the depth of her feelings for this man, who, on the surface, seems completely unsuited as a love interest for such a devoted woman of faith. Not only is he not a Christian, but his whole life is based on fighting against God.
What is the “something” Marissa perceives? It’s obvious Paul is a mess within his own psyche; even if he exudes a scowling confidence. He won’t allow others to think he’s gone soft, or is even questioning everything he thought he had figured out. So he ramps up the hard exterior that would have anyone else leaving him by the wayside.
But not Marissa - God has given her a discerning spirit. Because of her lifelong commitment to Bible study and a fulfilling prayer life, the young disciple is attuned to the Holy Spirit speaking to her through human feelings. She is able to remain poised and calm while speaking to her Heavenly Father, thanking Him for all things, even as she makes her requests known.
Marissa can feel God’s tug not to take her eye off Paul’s potential. If he could only alter the hate and misinterpretation in his heart, she knows the transformation would be an astoundingly, beautiful soul, given to service for others. Putting all focus on her teaching career, and the Habitat for Humanity program she loves, helps absorb the strain, allowing the peace needed to wait on God.
_________________________________________________________________
“…but as it is written: ‘To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.’” Romans 15:21
“For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.” Romans 15:26-27
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“What kind of giving, loving, all mighty deity causes so much pain for a little boy, huh?” Paul shouted loud enough to strain his throat while shaking a clenched fist and looking up to the Heavens. “All I wanted was a family to love me, so I could love them. But you took them all away!”
“Do you hear me?” Paul continued yelling, “I wanted to believe your goodness like Grandma talked about. I wanted to feel like I mattered—I just want to be able to feel something!”
“Habitat,” Paul muttered under his breath while his mind raced in an effort to make the puzzle pieces fit. “Strength, Stability, and Self-Reliance through Shelter”—the latest motto of the affordable housing organization perfectly fit the one person who brought it all together. “Marissa!”
________________________________________________________________
“‘I’ve been going through a bit of a struggle myself, Paul…’
Max stopped abruptly as the young couple in his den waited anxiously for the follow up.
‘He (God) used the situation with you and Habitat for Humanity…,’ Max stopped again, showing a vulnerability that Paul didn’t think he had.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Paul to Marissa to Max, the plot flows in and around their lives, situations, and struggles like the movement of someone cautiously sliding puzzle pieces around each other until they lock firmly into place. While we can never fully understand God’s perfect plan, or how circumstances and our own decisions can alter the best of those plans for us, keeping faith and a love for our neighbors will always result in a perfect picture.
Do you suppose Paul attained this realization in time? Would Marissa give up on getting through to Paul? Does Max find it within himself to open up to his family about how an unlikely alliance with Paul and Marissa, through Habitat for Humanity, brought him back to God for good.
I hope you will want to find out by reading the entire novel, “The Condition of Living: Building, Binding, Healing the Habitat Way.” It is expected to be in print by the first week of October 2016!
Many thanks to all who have read my Blogs throughout the process of writing this book. And many thanks for those who share an have an interest in purchasing a copy! All the glory for any success of my talents goes to God who gives me strength and ability!
Ten percent of all proceeds goes to benefit the Habitat for Humanity mission in Hart County and around the world.
Grace and Blessings to all,
Darlene Nixon