And shall make Him of quick understanding, and His delight shall be in the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord. And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, neither decide by the hearing of His ears;--Isaiah 11:3, AMPC

New neighbors had moved into the duplex beside us, and I was not too happy about it. However, they hadn't been loud, which was a big deal to me. There was already daily too much noise in the area.

That day, the weather was nice, and I had the windows open. I really enjoyed the fresh air, although I'd become very weary of the constant noise in this neighborhood. We'd moved here over a decade ago, to be closer to my daughter's private school, our church, and our work. However, many things had changed the past few years, and that included our daughter being graduated from university and married over a year!

Although the location was very convenient, it was time to get out of this fishbowl! My husband was finally in agreement about moving, and I'd contacted a real estate agent to start the process.

A couple days after the neighbors moved in, many strange vehicles packed with people showed up, lining the street and blocking the drive next to me. There were cars parked very close to our driveway, and I didn't like it. It was late afternoon, and I could imagine them staying all night--and noisily, at that.

If they block the drive, I'm calling the police! I thought, as I peeped through the window at all the strangers getting out of their vehicles. Only a couple of the cars looked nice, and I didn't really like the appearance of the drivers, either.

I wondered if any of them went to church.

At the same time, I remember being led a few years ago to tell a hippie-looking young man, with waist-length brown hair who was pumping gas that God loved him. To my surprise, he smiled big, and very confidently said, "You're right! And He loves you too! I'm the pastor at (a local church), and we need more people like you telling about the love of God!"

Interesting.

I wondered if these strangers would be respectful if I were to even invite them.

I've tried that before in this neighborhood, I thought, and no one has ever come!

I did not like the fact that we were still here, and I had finally decided that, no matter what, we were moving. It could not come fast enough. Still, I knew the LORD had the perfect Plan, as He always does. He'd given me grace to stay here this long, and even concentrate enough to pray, worship, and read the Word and write, but I knew I could enjoy His Presence and those things with much more joy and freedom in my new private, quiet, spacious place. I was not meant to live in a noisy sardine can! Some might like it, but not me!

Now, I'm being overwhelmed with noisy strangers right next to me! I thought. LORD, please do a speedy work, and get me to my quiet, private, spacious place! Please!

I wondered if a wild party was about to start!

Then, I had a gentle thought that, perhaps they were there to help move the rest of the stuff for the neighbors or something. Maybe....

"LORD, deliver them, and please get them out of here quickly!" I said. "Bring them to salvation! And thank You for my quiet, private, spacious place!"

Still more vehicles drove up. Most of the drivers were just standing by their cars, talking.

I didn't like it. I wasn't afraid, for I knew I had a covenant of protection through the Blood of the Lamb, and my husband and I are also faithful to tithe, and claim our tither's rights. I just didn't want them hanging around and disturbing what little quiet I could enjoy every day--which was rare enough, with the busy street, and us being on the corner and such.

Some days, it seemed everyone in the city lived down our street, although I knew that couldn't be right.

Faith without works is dead, so I'm about to do some works, I thought. This is where I live--for just a little longer--and I'm not putting up with mess. I've called the police before to control the noise, and I'll do it again if I have to!

The thought came that maybe they were there to do good.

We shall see! I thought, sensing that the sweet thought was not from me.

I opened the door and stepped onto the porch. I addressed one young man who was headed my way. "What's going on?!" I said, and I'm sure there was a scowl on my face.

"Ma'am," he replied respectfully, pointing to the new neighbor's house, "we're here to help these guys. They've got three trucks stuck in the back yard!"

It had been raining a lot. I suppose this is legit.

"Oh!" I said, and although I didn't smile, I felt a slight conviction. "Okay. It's good of you guys to help them!"

As I closed the door, I was actually a bit glad. The sweet holy Spirit of Truth had been trying to gently convey to me that it was a positive thing; and so it was.

He always leads us into all truth--if we will let Him!

"Forgive me, LORD, for judging," I told Him. "I pray You'd draw all of them closer to You--and help me think again before I cop an attitude about someone! Help me think of others like You do!"

And help the Body of Christ to be so quick to help one another, and stop judging!

Just as I shut the door, my husband drove up from work. He had his cell out. "I was about to make a call," he said.

I hugged him and smiled. "I understand. Me too. But they are here to help the neighbors get three trucks out of the mud--like our good neighbors across the street helped get our car out of the mud last Christmas! Isn't that good?!"

He seemed relieved. "OK," he said.

I hugged him again. "Now, let's talk about moving!"

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.