Expecting The Worst In People

Tonight I received an email from a borrower who's mortgage loan I just closed. He received a really great loan rate and saved over $575 on his monthly payment. When I first started working with him, I sent over his loan application for him to sign... He immediately sent me back an email accusing me of lying to him and that the payment I quoted him was not the payment on his loan application.. Well, he neglected to realize that the mortgage payment was exactly what I quoted him and he was adding his taxes and insurance that he already pays into the payment... He jumped to the conclusion that I was cheating him... After I explained in detail - he realized his mistake and all was well.
Well in tonight's email he is once again accusing me of fraud and not following through on my promises... The guy once again jumped to the wrong conclusion and I will be happy to clear this up for him tomorrow.. What is really bothering me is that he automatically assumes that I am cheating him... Here is a quote from the email I received tonight - "If the problems can't be resolved reasonably soon, I intend to report everyone involved to the appropriate Federal and State authorities. As a lawyer and former official with HUD in Washington, I have no intention of allowing what seems to be a clear case of fiscal/accounting chicanery go unnoticed" In this borrower's case he just doesn't understand that a mortgage accrues interest in arrears and when he makes his May payment he is actually paying for the month of April.... no biggie - I can clear it up for him.. I just hate the fact that he assumes the worst.. in me and my staff.. To further impress or intimidate me, he has stated that he was an official with HUD.. If that were true, he would understand the loan process....I am telling myself that I have to let it go.. don't point fingers... show grace....show kindness....show the other cheek..
When I think about what happened tonight, I realize that as humans we often jump to the wrong conclusions about people. We often assume that the person that we are dealing with is not being truthful or is trying to "get something" from us. We know that we are being truthful and honest but we don't believe others are...so why do we expect people to trust us when we are not trusting?
Tonight, I am praying for patience and forgiveness for this borrower.. Praying that God will give me the right words to say that will glorify Him. I know it is hard to show grace when you are being accused of something you have not done.. and as Followers of Christ we need to just do that.....show grace... forgiveness.. and respect... and Not assume the worst in people..

To Be A Beacon Of God's Love and Grace

When I travel through this blogger sphere I encounter many different kinds of blog sites. Many claiming to be Christian.... many claiming nothing at all... Many blogs I visit I feel right at home...and again some I visit...scare the spit out of me... I try not to stick to the same kind of sites over and over...sometimes I go outside my comfort zone...as I shared not too long ago.. I dared to travel into the atheist zone...silly me...that was so way over my head...I can see how new believers can get confused..but the commonality that I found in most of the atheist sites was the lack of kindness towards Christians... the lack of understanding and tolerance... My biggest impression was the sites were geared towards having unhealthy arguments... and mocking people of faith.. After my one and only encounter..I know better.. just don't say a word...I read some of the posts and it just makes me so sad..Sometimes, I just pray walk through the sites... I know God hears my prayers and I truly believe He is at work on these peoples hearts....He has to be...
There are so many amazing sites.. I have gotten some really good recipes and excellent advise. Discussed my faith and the faith of others. But one common thing I have seen on the sites I love is that they all are a beacon of love and hope for people who enter... That is my true desire...To share the gift of eternal salvation with everyone. I want to be a beacon of God's love and grace to anyone who visits my small spot in Blogger land... Thank you to all the people who have blessed me everyday.....
As Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

My Friend Diane

For the past thirteen years Diane has been coming by my home to share the Word of Jehovah... We greet each other with a hug and a "How are you? It's so good to see you." Diane comes by at least once sometimes twice a month. She passes out her Watch Tower pamphlets and tries desperately to share scriptures from her Bible. She's trying to spread the word of Jehovah so that she can earn her way into Jehovah God's grace. She doesn't believe that grace is free...that it's already been paid for when Jesus died on that tree... Poor Diane she has arthritis in her feet and hands and her daily walks have taken their toll on her body...she's 81.
I love Diane and her devotion to spreading God's word... I just wish she was spreading the Right Word... In all her studies and all her lectures, she still does not believe that Jesus is THE SON of God...she believes he's A son.. She doesn't believe that she'll go to Heaven.. she believes that only 42,000 people go to Heaven and the rest stay down here in a perfect world Jehovah creates after the Resurrection..
I have shared my beliefs with Diane over the years and we have decided to respect each others beliefs.. Diane will continue to pass out her Watch Tower pamphlets and I will continue to take them with a hug and "How are you? It's so good to see you."
I pray that the seeds planted by me and many others will grow in Diane and that she will realize that God's grace is free because he loves her and me.....