Yard Sale

It wasn’t your typical yard sale. For me it was a desperation move.

I was down to my last six dollars. I needed gas to get to work, the electric bill was overdue and my water would be shut off if I didn’t pay it by Monday. It would be another week before I received another paycheck and I was already one month behind in my rent as well as my other bills.

My wife and I were separated and I had recently been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. I had no money for medications. I really was at the end of my rope. I needed this sale to survive one more day.

A friend arrived for moral support and I asked him if he would pray with me. We stood together in my empty living room. He prayed, “Lord bless my friend and help him though this situation. Without you we are nothing but with your blessing we know we can get through anything. You said Lord, ‘Come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.’ We are here Lord and we need your help, Amen.”

Everything I owned was out on my lawn except my mattress, clothes and the computer on which I couldn’t mare the payments.

During the first hour I sold $80 worth of furniture including my couch, end table and some lamps. The flow of potential buyers slowed considerably during the second hour and I took in just $20 more. During a lull the phone rang and I dashed into the house to answer it.

The lady on the phone said, “You gave me a quote to paint my house several months ago. Does your offer still stand.”

I could feel myself sharting to shake but I managed to say calmly,“It sure does.”

“How soon can you start?”

“Lady I’ll be there this afternoon for the one third down payment so I can buy your paint.”

I rushed outside to retrieve my kitchen table and chairs from the lawn. Then I told my friend about the call.

“I made a bid to paint a lady’s house six months ago and she calls me back today of all days. Go figure.”

My friend looked at me with a smile on his face and tears in his eyes and said, "That call was prompted by the Lord answering our prayer for help."

Patrick Lavilla
Kensington Park
Sarasota,Fl.