Life just isn't fair. Why did it have to happen to me? My Saturday was going along just fine. We went over to church in the morning and helped clean and mow. We got back home in the early afternoon and I had the whole rest of the day with nothing really pressing to do. I was going to write a little, read a little and finish my lesson for tomorrow. I thought it was going to be a nice, quiet and enjoyable afternoon…………then.
Bev called from downstairs, "There's water all over the shop, something is leaking." I remained calm and told myself it was probably no big deal. Probably the water from the Air Conditioner...........no such luck. The trail of water led back to the water heater. I immediately thought my day is ruined. Poor me……..go ahead and feel bad for me….. It's not fair is it?
The rest of the afternoon was spent running to Home Depot and spending several hundred dollars on a new water heater. Now there aren't too many jobs that intimidate me. I can work on about anything, but I absolutely despise plumbing. Why anyone in their right mind would ever do it voluntarily is way beyond me. Plumbing is one click below root canals for me. I can run pipe, solder, hook up sinks, toilets, etc. But every time…….every time……..EVERY TIME….. something leaks. By the time I'm done I've usually burnt myself at least once, completely lost my patience and usually have thrown something.
Well today was no different. The job went about like every other plumbing job I've ever done. I lost my patience, but not too bad and I didn't throw anything except the stupid valve that leaked. I actually sort of tossed it aside after I cut it out. Yea, it was definitely a toss and not a throw.
Right in the middle of this little surprise project it occurred to me that God is sovereign. Yea, I know it should have occurred at the beginning……God is still working on me. Anyway, I realized that God allowed this water heater to start leaking today for His purpose. I don't know why today, why at one thirty. I do know I'm thankful it didn't start when we were on vacation. I am thankful God has blessed me with the ability to fix things like this. I know I'm blessed to be able to go buy a new one.
When I got done I took a hot shower. It was a great shower. Better than normal because I had a whole new appreciation for hot water. I was reminded how many folks don't get hot showers, or any shower.
I realize I was a pathetic whiner for complaining about the water heater failure earlier in the day. But the day ended well. God set me straight. He didn't just choose today to give me an extra job to do, but He chose it to teach me a lesson in patience, appreciation, perseverance and He reminded me of how greatly I'm blessed.
God is awesome. I still hate plumbing, though.
Just thinking.
Doug
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