Month: November 2021

Categories
Christian Living restoration

Not So Good to the Last Drop

Photo by Anu0131l Karakaya on Pexels.com

It’s been a plumber’s paradise at my house these past two weeks. We have extremely hard water and our third water heater–in 18 years–was on it’s last leg. Rather than have another one fill up with mineral deposits (sixty second shower, anyone?), we decided to invest in a water softener.

Two guys came and installed a new water heater and softener at the same time. It was an all day job, but once the system came online the results were almost immediate. Oh, the soap suds!🧼 And no more crusty faucets or spotty dishes.

But, a week later, we made a frightful discovery. The carpet in the back hallway, near where they tapped in to the main water line, was soaking wet. Two closet clean outs later, I removed an access panel and found the problem. One of the fittings the plumbers installed was leaking at a steady drip, drip.

Inside the closet wall where the leak started.

People who tell you it’s hard to get a plumber on the weekend are NOT joking. I called at 7 am and he showed up at 7 pm. Yes, 12 hours later.😬 It turned out to be a relatively easy fix, but the damage was already done.

It’s amazing how our little plumbing problem resembles life in general. A steady drip starts, from a hidden location, and soon everything is soaked. By the time we realize what’s going on, the damage is done.

The parallel between unseen water leaks and unconfessed sin is a good one.

Also keep back your servant from presumptuous sins, let them not rule over me.

Psalm 19:13 (NASB)

Like me, do you sometimes assume that all is well–between you and God–without actually checking in?

Kind reader, when life springs a leak, there’s a “Heavenly Plumber” available 24/7. And He won’t take half a day to show up.

🙏❤️ prayers and love.

First photo by Anu0131l Karakaya on Pexels.com

Categories
Christian Living

Strong at the Broken Places

Photo by Pomax on creative commons.org

Have you ever heard yourself say, “I can’t do this any more?” That was me this week. A few of the young children in my music classes were acting out majorly. Screaming, throwing themselves on the floor, and trying to leave the room, I’ve seen this all before. But it seemed worse than ever.

I went home that day dejected. “Lord, I feel like I don’t have anything left to give,” I told Him in the car going home. Of course, the Holy Spirit answered with a couple of my favorite scriptures.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound to every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

Are you familiar with the Japanese art of Kinsugi? It’s the practice of repairing broken pottery with resin and gold. The damaged places aren’t hidden, but actually accentuated.

Photo by Riho Kitagawa on Unsplash

Kind reader, the reality is clear: more often than not, personal trauma leads to positive growth. If we let Him, God will be the “golden glue” that holds our lives together–even when we feel like we can’t go on.

The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places

Ernest Hemingway

🙏❤️ prayers and love.

Categories
Christian Blog Christian Living

Majoring on the Minors

It was Wednesday night at the little community church—business meeting time. (A monthly meeting, open to all members, where church financial matters are discussed).

And people came from miles around, because they knew Mildred had an “axe to grind.” The meeting started with a holy hush; but it didn’t take much time. Until, you know who, stood up from her favorite pew and said, “There’s something on my mind!”

We don’t need a neon sign out in front of our church. It reminds me of a night club–where people dance and flirt. Let’s tear it down and build a brand new sign, with letters big and bold. And if the preacher minds his “p’s” and “q’s” we’ll put his name in gold.

Mildred

The sign she wanted gone said “First Baptist Church” (gasp)😳. And it had stood in front of the building for over 50 years. After much debate, Mildred’s motion was tabled for further discussion.

But before the next monthly meeting came along, Mildred died. Arriving in heaven, she waited for her turn to see The Boss. And when she made it to the head of the line, God Almighty looked her right in the face and said, “Mildred, it’s about time!”

I don’t mind a neon sign out in front of my church. It reminds folks to come to the light, so I can heal their hurts. Mildred, I don’t care if the pulpit’s pink and the carpet’s lime green. I just wanted you to do what I said and love me more than anything.

God

Do you ever find yourself majoring on the minors? As I’ve mentioned before, I have a “That’s not fair!” button and it’s way too easy to press. And, once the push is made, a lengthy bout of self-pity inevitably ensues.

Please don’t be like Mildred, or me. Don’t let those little minor-monkeys out of the barrel!

The very fact that you have legal disputes among yourselves shows that you have failed completely. Would it not be better for you to be wronged? Would it not be better for you to be robbed? Instead, you yourselves wrong one another and rob one another, even your own brothers!

1 Corinthians 6:7-8 (GNT)