Partnering with God and leaving the details to Him. by Margaret Peterson
My fingers trembled as I punched the ATM code to check my balance. Would I have enough for this second mortgage payment?
Yes, just enough. A puff of relief lifted brunette bangs from my forehead.
I had written the first check with confidence for the apartment I had purchased. But back then I was employed as a teacher, and my position had qualified me for the mortgage. Now I was unemployed.
Here I was at age twenty-seven, with a college degree and five years of teaching experience, out of work and with no leads in sight.
“Lord,” I whispered. “You knew about this when You guided me to the apartment. I’m trusting You to find me a job.”
Fruitless search
The smell of new paint permeated my apartment’s small den where I scanned the newspaper. The pages crinkled as I flipped through them to the want ads.
No teaching positions were advertised. A search for tutors turned up nothing. It had been the same all week.
Inspiration
I tossed the newspaper aside and went to the kitchen for a snack. An orange’s tartness refreshed me, and inspiration zinged into me. Why not try a different kind of work?
I dashed back to retrieve the paper, tented on the carpet. The longest column of “Help Wanted” listed service occupations: waitresses, nannies, cleaning ladies . . . cleaning? I had done that to pay for my college tuition. Why not try it again?
Friendly call
The cell phone broke into my thoughts as it chimed out the first bars of my favorite chorus. The cheery voice of Eliza, my best friend, greeted me. “Hey, Margaret, how’s the job search going?”
“Still no teaching jobs around but . . .”
“I’m on my way over.” She hung up. Her spontaneous manner was one of the many attributes I admired about her.
Alternate job
Eliza dashed in the door, hugged me, and, before she shrugged out of her jacket, blurted out, “I’m so sorry you haven’t found a teaching job yet.”
I laughed. “It’s okay. I’ve thought of another kind of work.”
Her blue eyes widened behind silver frames. “Really?”
“Uh huh.” I pointed to the sofa. “Sit down and I’ll tell you about it.”
She flopped down to listen, but at the word cleaning, she leaped up. “We’ve always wanted to work together. Let’s start a cleaning company.”
“But what about your job?”
“I’ll give notice tomorrow.” She chortled. “There are so many family members out there, one of them will want to grab it right away. I won’t even be missed.” She headed toward the den. “C’mon, let’s get started.”
New venture
The Lord had answered my prayer. Within minutes we were deep in business plans. We discussed a myriad of details over the coffee I had made. As we sipped the hot brew, steam clouded Eliza’s glasses. But we both saw clearly that our new venture needed much exploration.
We ploughed through government forms, investigated banking services, struggled with insurance papers. After two months, we formed our new company, Maid for You.
Adventure
Our advertising campaign went into full production. We hired employees, bought supplies, and met new clients. It was a busy, enjoyable adventure. Eliza did the invoicing, payroll, and accounting on the computer while I trained staff and arranged schedules for clients and employees.
Together we provided estimates, walked miles delivering flyers, and took turns answering cell phone calls. The Lord blessed us with a growing and successful business.
At the end of the first year, we were delighted with the results God gave us, and we thanked Him. We looked forward to the year ahead with anticipation.
Quiet mood
In June of the second year I dropped in at my business partner’s home to retrieve a repaired vacuum. Eliza was unusually quiet. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
She wound a finger around an unruly curl in her auburn hair. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Is this serious?”
She drew in a deep breath. “Yes.” She bit her lip. I had seen her do that when one of our employees had broken a client’s expensive lamp and when another girl had lost the key to a house.
Divine detour
I closed my eyes against a thought, an issue we had never discussed. I opened my eyes and voiced it slowly, “You’re not leaving our company, are you?”
Eliza nodded and my hand flew to my mouth. “Tell me you’re joking.”
But I knew she was not as tears slipped down her cheeks. Eliza took off her glasses and swiped her hand over her eyes. She explained that for the last three weeks, she had struggled with the realization that God had asked her to give up the business.
“I don’t want to.” She choked out another few words. “I don’t know why.” She did not know what the future held, but she had, in obedience, said yes to Him.
Anxious thoughts
My heart thumped as I stood, wordless, at this devastating news. I hugged my friend and drove home in a fog, anxious and confused about what I would do. How could I manage without Eliza?
I had no idea how to do payroll or accounting. Who would I consult for the countless details Eliza and I hashed over together? How could I answer all the cell phone calls alone?
Acceptance
The jangling of my alarm woke me from a restless sleep. I struggled from the tangled sheets to call Eliza. “Are you absolutely sure you heard from the Lord?”
She was positive. We were both reluctant to end our business relationship, but we had to accept it.
I collapsed back on the bed and decided I would give up Maid for You.
Contemplation
A cool breeze from the partially open window sent a shiver down my arms. I sat up and reached for my robe. I reviewed all the work that had gone into establishing our business. It was running smoothly. The decision to give it up was a poor one.
I flipped the switch on the coffee maker and put a slice of whole wheat bread into the toaster as thoughts swirled about in my mind. The Lord had asked Eliza to leave. Did it mean He wanted me to be the sole proprietor of the business?
Direction
At the table I opened the Bible for my daily reading. “Lord, please direct me. You know I can’t do this all on my own. I’m untrained for the financial part, and it’s too much work for one person.”
Regardless of the obstacles, as I read, there came a deep assurance that, just as the Lord showed me the apartment to purchase and provided with an income through the company, He would look after this new challenge.
New partnership
My turmoil of insecurity and fear vanished like the steam from my coffee cup.
“Heavenly Father, if You want me to do this, then You will have to be my new Business Partner. I’ll do all I can, but I will leave all the handling of the details up to You. I trust You and refuse to worry.”
Eliza taught me the computer programs and gave me the business forms. Even with that help, many times I said, “Lord, please figure this out for me. I don’t know how to do it.” He never failed to do exactly that.
Eventually, Maid for You evolved into a manageable routine. When glitches developed, I gave them to my Business Partner. He worked them out in supernatural ways.
Superior replacement
Eliza was not offended when I told her that, although she had been an incredible business partner, her replacement was incredibly superior in every way.
I thank the Lord for His constant care and the peace and joy He gave me. I continue to hold on to His promise in Psalm 138:8 that He will perfect what concerns me. That’s the best business plan of all.
Margaret Peterson is a former teacher. Since her retirement, she enjoys reading and writing stories. Margaret’s desire is to encourage others to trust the Lord, that He is faithful and always answers prayers in the way He sees as best. She lives in White Rock, British Columbia, Canada.