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I discovered that I love to tell stories.  Most of us do.  Stories of God’s provision are some of my favorite.

Several years ago I had a leak in the pipes under my kitchen sink.  The leak was after the pipe went into the wall (headed to the basement).  I put off the repair for a long time – afraid it would be very expensive.  But you can only stop using the kitchen sink for so long.

Finally I called a plumber.  The person I wanted had run his own business, but wasn’t at this time.  So I called the plumbing company he was working for and set up an appointment.  I hadn’t asked for him, but knew it was a good company so anyone I got would be fine.

The morning of the appointment the plumber showed up and started asking questions.  He went to the truck to get his tools.  When he came back in he asked if I was a Christian – he had noticed the verse painted on my living room wall and some verses and inspirational sayings on my refrigerator.  I said that I was.  He asked if he could pray about the situation.  Uh, yes!!  Not knowing how far down the leak was he knew it could be costly.  I asked what his name was – sure enough, God had sent the plumber I had hoped for (due to a recommendation from a mutual, trusted friend).

This plumber started praying.  I have not often heard a prayer that exalted the Lord more.  He praised God for his ability to work, the fact that God saved him, our mutual friend and the trust God allowed through that friendship.  It was filled with statements about God.  He also prayed for God to guide him as he worked on the repair.  Best. Plumber. Ever.

I’m not typically a big fan of having contractors in my home, but I left for work so lighthearted that day.  I didn’t know how long it would take or how expensive it would be, but I had such a tangible reminder that God was in control.

I’m happy to report the fun of the story doesn’t end there.  I didn’t expect to hear from him for at least 2 hours.  He was going to do what he could and finish another day if it was too long of a job.  An hour after I got to work I received a phone call from the plumber.  He was done.  The repair was just after the pipe went into the wall so it didn’t take much to finish.  The repair was less than $200.  A very pleasant surprise.

God doesn’t always give us the low cost repair or simple fix to a problem.  But the reminder of His hand being ever present makes other challenges easier to face.  Not easy, mind you – but easier.  God is so good.

I took these pictures at the beach in Homer, AK (July 2015).  They were taken as the tide was coming back in.  I find watching the water very peaceful. Being still is not easy, but God’s way is worth the effort.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not good at waiting.  I have heard that not many people are good at waiting (if you know of someone who is – please let me know.  I want to meet them).  Every time I think I’m improving, God shows me something that I have to wait longer for.

This week it was my job.  I have been in a position on a temporary status for almost 2 years.  There have been many ups and downs – maybe they’ll hire me – maybe they won’t.  I believe that God put me in this job  for a reason and has asked me to wait.   I believe God has been at work – stretching my patience.  Now He has tested me by asking me to continue to wait.  I am human and breathing, so I still have a lot farther to go.  Why is it that patience takes so long to develop?

I really don’t mind waiting as long as I can do something.  Give me a task and I feel like I am more patient.  But ask me to sit still.  Ouch.  I don’t enjoy those times.

I’m thankful for God’s faithfulness.  He is so patient with me.  He loves me so much that He has hand chosen this opportunity to wait – to develop the ability to wait in my life.  I don’t know what God has for my future.  But I know that God has my best interest in mind.

2016 flew by so quickly.  I often joked with co-workers that I blinked and a month would go by.  A coworker joked that I should stop blinking.  I kept wishing that I could.  I have heard that time seems to go faster the older you get – but I wasn’t prepared for this.  The year sped so fast that I felt like there was no time to accomplish much.

The last several years God has impressed on me the concept of how short life can be.  I have known people who have faced terminal illness and didn’t live to 80 or 90 years.  As they realize how short their life will be, they often fight to live every moment to its fullest.   However, I think it is too easy to be complacent and waste time for those of us that don’t have the trial of illness.  We think we have all kinds of time to do what is important and so it is easy to fill time with trifles.  Things that aren’t really important.  I have also found that life just flies and I am not sure if I have been using my time wisely.

In 2017 I want to be aware of how I use my time.  Ephesians 5:16-17 (ESV) says, “Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  The NKJV says “redeeming the time”.  My prayer is that I use my time wisely and for the Lord.  I am all for having fun (I love my hobbies), but I want to make sure that everything I do is for the honor and glory of the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31).

How will I do this?  Pleading in Prayer.  Romans 12:12, ^“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes dream of a life of ease.  A nice house with no problems, a nice car that doesn’t break down, no relationship problems, a job where I always have fun, and the list could go on.

However, we live in a sin-cursed earth and so these things aren’t possible.  I also know that God uses difficult things to perfect us (James 1).

I have read that when a baby bird is still in the egg, it needs to peck its own way out – or it can’t survive.  If anyone helps the bird get out it becomes weak.  God works the same way by strengthening us through difficulties (2 Cor. 12:9).

So don’t pray for a life of ease.  Don’t pray to avoid trials.  Pray to be strengthened by God through whatever difficulties He allows.  We need to make God everything.  His way is always worth it.

Dear Heavenly Father, Please help me to make You everything. I want so many things in life, but Your plans for me have often been different than my own. Please lead and guide in my desires. Please help me to honor You. Please give me strength to do what You want.

Thank you for what you have done and what You will do in my life.

Today we had our first measurable snowfall (a little late for Minnesota).  I always enjoy seeing the grass covered with the pure white.  It is reminder of the peaceful beauty in God’s wonderful creation.

Now the snow can stop.  This is enough for me. 🙂

I cleared some of the deck.  Anyone want to stop for a visit?  😉

Another saying on my favorite tea came from Sherlock Holmes.

“To the great mind, nothing is little.” – Sherlock Holmes

I was excited to find someone had already made this kind of comment, since I had been thinking this for some time.  Yes, I know Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character, but I think Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was on to something.  In the Sherlock Holmes stories little details helped to solve cases.  I have found in real life the little things can have a profound impact.

A well timed text message on a rough day.  A postcard in the mail.  A smile at the right moment.  Someone starting my car and scraping the windshield for me.  All of these can seem like small things, but the blessing has been big.

The opposite is also true.  The little negatives can add up and cause great hurt.  However, I have found that the small positives can counteract the damage the negative has caused.

A plate of cookies.  A new craft idea.  A funny saying or comic.  A cute story.  I have enjoyed all of these.  And they made a difference.

There is a lot of letting go in life.  Not letting go of responsibility, but letting go to allow God to handle what is His.  He does a better job anyway.