Gratitude!!!

The Desk...

Gratitude!!!

The Desk…

In 2006, I surrendered my credentials as an ordained United Methodist elder and went on staff at Crossroads Community Church in Longview. This meant that I would no longer have insurance through the United Methodist Church, nor would I be making monthly pension payments into my pension. Also, we were going to have to move out of the small parsonage at Summerfield United Methodist Church and either rent or purchase a house.

It turned out that we purchased a beautiful home at 217 S. Club Dr. in Longview. The house was built in 1937, and an addition had been added to it in 1957. It was much larger than the parsonage we had been living in, so we were going to need more furniture to fill the house!

I was going to have a study/office in our newly purchased home. It was a nice-sized room with six windows as well as a wall of built-in bookshelves. I realized that I was going to need a rather large desk to be the centerpiece of the room.

I had a bit of a problem because I needed a rather large desk, and I only had around $1,800 in my budget for the desk.

In Longview, there was a large office furniture warehouse, so Debi and I headed there to see what we could find. We had a salesman greet us, and he began to show us around the store. All of the furniture was made of cheap-looking fake wood, and the desks cost around $2,500 to $4,000, even for the less expensive ones. It was very disheartening.

We told the salesman that these desks were out of our price range, so he suggested we look at the returned inventory in the back of the store. He said that it was still in good shape and would be cheaper. It was certainly cheaper, but I am not sure I could agree with the “still in good shape” part of the statement, and it was the same old, same old as far as quality was concerned.

I was beginning to get discouraged when I looked over to the side, way out of the way, and there sat a nice-looking desk covered in dust. It wasn’t even really on display. I went over, dusted it off, and immediately liked it. It had some wear, but it also had a triple leather inlay on the top of the desk. The drawers all worked exceptionally well.

I asked the salesman how much they wanted for the desk. He looked a little puzzled and said he would need to ask his manager, who wasn’t there at the moment. I told him he could call us and let us know how much they were asking for it.

Later that afternoon, he called and said they wanted $900 for it. I told him I would pay $500 — or $600 if they would deliver it — because I could tell that it weighed a ton. He said he would check with his manager.

He called me back the next morning and said that the manager had agreed to my $600 offer. Then he added that he was a little surprised they were letting it go for that price. He explained that there was a lawyer in town who had custom-ordered the desk many years earlier. It was made of imported African mahogany and, as I had seen, had a triple leather inlay on the top. The lawyer had recently replaced the desk with a newer one, and this one had been returned to the warehouse/store. He said he felt like I was getting quite a deal.

I felt sorry for the two delivery guys who had to move the desk because it was incredibly heavy. I think the whole house shook when they placed it in my study in our newly purchased home.

I absolutely loved — and still love — the desk. I had it at 217 S. Club Dr. for fourteen years. When we moved to Gladewater, I had to place it in the downstairs church library. From time to time, I would go down to the library and use it simply for the joy of seeing it and sitting at it.

When we left Gladewater and purchased our home in Fort Worth, I once again had a room for a study/office, and I was able to place the desk in our new home. In fact, I am sitting at the desk as I type this blog post.

I know God provided this awesome desk for me. I am so thankful to God, and it is wonderful that I sit at this desk every day, and I am reminded of God and His faithful provision for me, for Debi, and for our family. Thank You, Lord Jesus!

I am sure there are many days when I sit at my desk and simply take it for granted, but there are other days when the Holy Spirit quickens my heart and reminds me of God’s faithfulness and provision throughout my life — over and over and over again. Thank You, Lord Jesus!

I am a blessed man, and I know I am blessed to be a blessing!