Grace in the Heat

Do you have the courage to actually walk the path of what you asked for?

This summer, I advised the universe I wanted a brand new air-conditioning unit. I was ready for my electric bill to go down. In fact, I said to the universe:

“All of my bills are decreasing—my light bill, my cable bill, my internet, my water, and my gas. I desire to increase what I already have by consuming less.”

When you think about those requests, they seem simple, right?

Use a little less electricity. Become more energy-efficient. Don’t run the water as long. Don’t use as much gas.

Simple in theory.

But when you really look at the meat and potatoes of how it unfolds… sometimes, the path you asked for doesn’t feel so good.

So here’s the story.

It was a Thursday in late June. A storm passed through town, as they usually do this time of year. I was working from home—nothing major—just checking accounts, making calls, making sure everything was running as it should.

About 30 minutes into the storm, my power flickered. No big deal—it had happened plenty of times before. Power surges are common around here. But this time… it was different.

About 45 minutes later, it started to get warm in the house. I couldn’t figure out why. I kept working, pushing through. My daughter yelled,

“Mom! Check the breaker—I think the AC is off!”

She was right. It did feel warmer. My body felt hot and a little nauseous from the heat. It was a muggy afternoon in Houston, Texas. Something was off.

I went to the garage and checked the breaker box. Sure enough, the breaker for the outside AC unit had tripped. I flipped it back on, then went upstairs. The thermostat read 85°F. Thank goodness for the cloud cover, because otherwise, it would’ve been 100° inside.

I turned the AC down a bit to try cooling the house again. Then something said, “Look outside.”

So I did.

I walked over to the window, looked down at the outdoor unit—and it wasn’t moving.

This wasn’t the first time. A month earlier, something similar happened. There was a surge, the AC stopped working, I checked the breaker—no luck. The landlord sent a technician. That day, it was probably 80°+ inside the house. Uncomfortable, but manageable.

That technician told me the same thing I’d heard over and over for the past four years:

“This unit is super old and needs to be replaced.”

But each time, the techs got it working just well enough to get us through another summer.

This year felt different.

About two months before summer really hit, I had the thought again: I want to lower my consumption.

I started taking action.

I renegotiated contracts with our service providers—cable, internet, cell phone. I reminded my daughters to be mindful with water usage. We were trying to become more efficient across the board.

Back to June.

After that Thursday surge, the unit never came back on. I contacted the owners to let them know:

“The power went out during the storm, the AC went off—and this time, it won’t turn back on.”

They sent an electrician the next day, assuming it was just the breaker. A short, arrogant man came to the door and said,

“Oh, so y’all do have power?”

I responded,

“Yes, we never said we didn’t. The issue is with the AC after the breaker tripped.”

He went to the breaker box, tried resetting it—just like I had ten times already—and confidently announced,

“You’ve got AC!”

I was disgusted by his utter display of  Egoic confident negligence.

Before getting to upset I offered a gentle request:

Will you check the outside unit. He reluctantly did.

Twenty minutes later, with a puzzled look on his face, he admitted:

“There’s no power going to the outside unit. The breaker is fine. The AC unit… is dead.”

So I ask you again:

Do you have the courage to walk through what it actually takes to receive what you asked for?

Today is Tuesday. It’s early morning in Houston—about 76°F outside. I’ve installed three window units. We’ve got ceiling fans running. I’ve slept with cold towels on my body. I’ve taken cold showers for the past five days.

My landlords filed an insurance claim, saying the unit was damaged by the storm—even though the previous technicians said years ago it needed replacing.

My kids are hot. I’m hot.

And… I’m trying to stay grateful.

After all, all things being considered my life wasn't bad.

Because when I asked the universe to lower my bills and bring in a brand-new AC unit, I didn’t know it would come this way.

I didn’t know it would cost the homeowners $12,000–$15,000.

I didn’t know it would mean filing an insurance claim.

I didn’t know it would mean discomfort for me and my family.

We ask for so much—new homes, cars, healthy relationships, viral content, more money, more peace. We ask the universe for growth.

But do we have the strength, the patience, and the courage to walk the path it takes to get there?

There’s a version of this story where everything happens quickly:

The owners act immediately.

I speak up more firmly.

Or maybe I own the home myself.

 I have endless resources, and I don’t have to think twice about any of it.

But this is my reality. And while it’s hot, uncomfortable, and inconvenient—I’m still fortunate.

My health has returned after a month of illness.

My children are whole and safe.

My parents and siblings are close by.

I could go to my mom’s or stay in a hotel if I needed to.

But I’m choosing to stay here, to tough it out.

Not because I have to.

Because this is the path I asked for.

Because I trust the destination.

This moment has taught me that you don’t always get to choose how your prayer is answered.

But you do get to choose how you walk through it.

For me, it’s leading to a brand-new, energy-efficient system.

My bills will go down.

My rooms will be cool again.

And for that—I’m grateful.

21 days after my intial message, I finally got a Brand New Unit.

The last week of this journey, I had gotten angry, My body had started to feel the impact of 85 to 90 degree heat I inside the home.

From my vantage point they didn't do enough quick enough, and I will not know what it was from theirs. The last text spit fire and I didn't use any disrespectful language, I begin to look at my lease as I contemplated taking them to court for this mental travesty. I would love to say I handled my journey with ease, and at times I did, but I had to give myself permission to truly feel the full scope of my emotions without judging myself for having them.

For me that was the journey, am I being true totally true through out this journey, not just with the AC, but in motherhood, as a partner, a sibling and independent being, and all the other areas of my life that I sojourn through. 

Will I had stifled my tongue, or overstated my purpose in someone's life?

Will I have the courage to feel and be? Will you?

So I ask you:

Are you willing to walk the path to the thing you desire?

Are you willing to walk it with grace, patience, and joy or fully embrace the scope of the being that you are?

Because your outcome is shaped not just by your destination—but by the energy you carry through the journey.

Eve