WORDS OF WISDOM

"You can't fix rust with spray paint." --Max Lucado

Remember When. . .

This picture is from my trip to Cambodia in January 2006. That was such an amazing trip and I look forward to being able to return one day. (Maybe on a medical team after I finish my nursing degree!) I can't remember this young girl's name, but we bonded immediately. She walked with us all afternoon while we went door to door testing wells for arsenic. She tried to teach me songs and words and asked me (through the interpreter) to teach her english words. We mainly worked on counting to 10. I am still amazed by her spirit and the light in her eyes. She has an amazing smile (although it doesn't show in the photograph--she was intrigued by the digital camera and laughed hysterically when she saw herself.) Her little sister was scared of the camera, but she peeked through our heads just in time to capture her cute little face in the picture. Sometimes I wonder about her. I wonder if she remembers us. I wonder if she understands why we were there. I wonder if the message we carried touched her heart. Maybe one day I will see her again. Only God knows what is in his plan.

NO MORE METAL-MOUTH ! ! ! YEAH!

Today was the day-the braces came off! We took some pictures, but technical difficulties are keeping them on the camera and off the blog. (I will post them as soon as we can get things going again.) Still, you are in for a treat today. . . Cynthia is going to write about her day. Here goes. . .

Ok so this morning at about 9:00 A.M. I was at my dad’s house (he lives in Radcliff) so I had to get up extra early just to get back home in time for my dentist appointment. So my dad took us (me, Kimberly, and my other sister Ashley) to Mc Donald’s. After we ate we headed back to Louisville. We got to Louisville at about 12:00. My dentist appointment was at 1:30 so for about an hour I had nothing to do so I went and made fun of my mom! It was a lot of fun. So after she got tired of me making fun of her she went and took a bath. After she was done we left. So here we are on the road my mom is singing I have the giggles and we are just having a good time. So after we get to the dentist my mom stop’s me outside to get a before picture by the sign. So we go in and we immediately are called back. So they sit me down and Dr. Edwards comes in. He takes one look at my teeth and says alright be right back in to take them off! So of course if you know me now I’m all giggles. I just couldn’t stop. So he comes in and takes them off. Don’t ever let anyone lie to you it does hurt a little! Your teeth also feel really slimy (but also very clean at the same time!) So he makes the molds and does everything and my mom asks him about my cavity. He says “Well if we’ve got the time I’ll fill it right now. Oh and lookie there we’ve got the time!” So this being my first cavity I’m scared to death so he fills it and my lip gets very numb but it’s all good now. My teeth look beautiful. And I’m very glad there are no more dentist appointments every 3 weeks. Now it’s just back to the normal every once in a while appointments.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARMAN !

Today is my sister's birthday. I cannot believe she is 27 already! It seems like only yesterday we were fighting over the "My Little Pony" castle!
It seems so funny. When we were young I complained about my bratty little annoying sister always wanting to follow me around. I was a little bitter; being the middle child and all. My “baby” sister always got her way. She got to stay out after the street lights came on. She didn’t have to eat the Brussels sprouts at Thanksgiving. . . It wasn’t fair! I remember thinking “I can’t wait until I move out and don’t have to deal with her anymore!” But an interesting thing happened. I started to miss my sister. I actually wanted her around! (I keep trying to tell my girls that one day they will feel the same, but they just can't see it!)
Now that we are adults and have lives of our own, I can’t imagine not having my sister in my life. She lives in Texas right now, so we don’t see each other often, but I can’t go long without talking to her on the phone or email. The immature fights have turned into interesting conversations. Who else can you talk to about your quirky family? (No one else really understands!) Who else listens to your endless stories about your kids and husband? Who else remembers you every year on both the happy occasions and the sad anniversaries?
I have a strange addiction. I like to hide and jump out and scare people. Especially my kids. Sometimes I laugh so hard I almost pee my pants! Well, it all started with my sister. We shared a room a lot of the time and I would try to coax her to the room under the guise of “I want to play with you!” I would hide around the corner and call down the hall to her. She would yell back “You’re just going to scare me!!!”. “No I’m not!” I would say, “I just want to play a game with you!”. She was a trusting little sister and she always came. I was an obnoxious older sister and I always jumped out and scared her. Those were the good old days!


Happy Birthday to my little sister!
From your obnoxious big sister! I Love You!

Late Night Excitement

I had planned on continuing the ant farm saga today, but that will have to wait. At the risk of being an obnoxious daughter-in-law and really embarrassing my mother-in-law I am going to share a funny story.
Yesterday was Cynthia’s 8th grade promotion and afterwards we went to dinner. The ceremony wasn’t over until 8pm and there was an hour wait at O’Charley’s, but it was Cynthia’s choice so we waited. Then we had a waitress who must have been in training. . . It was about 10:30 when we finally left the restaurant and headed for home to get the kids in bed (today was their last day of school).
We had a plan to get the kids in bed as efficiently as possible (bed time on school nights is usually 8pm) so we walked in the door with our mission on our mind. The kids scattered to complete their assigned duties (picking out school clothes, showers, water for the dog, etc.) I immediately removed the high heels that were making me wish I was a man, and had started to change into my pajamas when the flashing light alerting me to a “new message” caught my attention. While I undressed I listened to the message.
It was my mother-in-law. She sounded confused or even disoriented. Her words came slowly. She said nothing other than “call me when you get this message” but her tone and long pauses between words had me concerned. She had called at 10:34 and it was now 10:58pm. Usually I wouldn’t think of calling that late, but I was concerned and she should still be awake. So I called. The phone rang and rang and rang. Then the answering machine picked up. I hung up and dialed again. Same thing. Now I was really worried. She has a phone next to her bed so if she had gone to bed she would have still answered. Something must be wrong.
While I was throwing on some sweats and flip-flops I told the kids to finish up and get in bed. I was riding down the street (less than ¾ of a mile) to check on Grandma. Out the door I went with a million things racing through my mind.
The drive seemed like it took forever. “Did she fall? Is she sick? Is she hurt? Is she dehydrated? . . . ” Every possible scenario went through my mind.
As her house came into view I could see that the only light was in the kitchen, the light that usually stays on all night. “Is she in bed? Surely she would have heard the phone ring.” I didn’t know what to do. Do I walk in and scare her half to death if she is asleep? Do I go back home and toss and turn all night wondering if she is okay? I decided to risk scaring her to keep my sanity so I pulled into the driveway.
As I turned into the driveway I could see her. She was in her robe standing in the driveway. She wasn’t alone either. There was a man there too. I pulled up the driveway with growing concern. As my headlights hit them I could see the man. It was the neighbor, a very nice, older man who is always ready to help if his physical limitations allow. They were smiling. I was relieved!
I walked up to see what was going on and Helen started laughing. They were looking through the owner’s manual for the car she had bought just a week ago. Apparently there was a light flashing in the dashboard and it wouldn’t go off.
I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or scream. To see my mother-in-law in her driveway at 11 o’clock at night trying to figure out how to turn off a light that is designed to flash. . . the anti-theft light, was definitely humorous. But I was still trying to come down from the emotional rollercoaster that brought me to her house in the first place! Needless to say, after fussing for a few minutes about the cordless phone being left in the house I had to laugh.

High School Here I Come!

Cynthia's promotion was tonight. Tomorrow is the last day of middle school for her. Bye-Bye 8th grade. Bye-Bye familiar halls and familair teachers. Hello to the unknown, confusing and complex world of high school. She is starting a new phase in her life. I am excited and terrified all at once! It's hard to believe that my cute little baby has grown into a beautiful young woman about to start high school! I am so proud of how well she has done in getting this far. I am sure she will continue to grow and mature into a well-rounded young adult. I am confident in her. But yet, I am scared to death for the things she will soon face. I am filled with worry over the pressures to fitting-in and follow the crowd. I wish I could protect her from it all. But I know I can't. All I can do is watch as she utilizes all the things we have tought her. All I can do is pray. And you can bet I will be doing a lot of that!

The Ants Go Marching

Garrett got an ant farm for Christmas. Yes. I know it is now the end of May. The thing is-it didn’t come with the ants, but it had a form to mail order your own family of harvester ants. Of course, Garrett was too excited on Christmas morning not to open the box and examine the antless farm.
A few days later when he was taking his gifts to his room he realized that he didn’t have to order form. I told him that when he found it we would send for the ants. Then I forgot all about it (and so did Garrett!). The ant farm was pushed to the back of the closet-out of sight, out of mind. UNTIL. . .
Last week Garrett and his friend Donny were playing in his room. While looking for something interesting to do they found the ant farm. (Surprisingly enough it was STILL antless!) The exciting thing was Garrett remembered seeing the order form just a few days earlier and was actually able to remember where he had put it and had no trouble locating it in his less-than-organized room.
“Mom! Guess what!?!? I found it! The ant paper! We can get my ants now! Mom! Mom!!! Mom!!!! Will you do it now?!? Will you order them now?!?! PPPLLLLEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
I tried to contain my excitement (ha-ha) as I took the order form from Garrett thinking he would go back to playing with his friend and I could worry about it later. (I mean, the kid has had the ant farm for 5 months, what’s a couple more days going to hurt?) He wouldn’t leave me alone! He stood there. Staring at me with those pitiful little brown puppy dog eyes. I tried to go back to the paperwork I was trying to get finished. “Mom? When are you going to order them? Will they be here tomorrow? How many will I get? How long do ants live? Will I have to feed them? . . .” The questions went on. And on. And on.
“Garrett, why don’t you go read all the directions so we will know how to take care of the ants when we get them? I’m sure all your questions will be answered in that little booklet.” I said. He turned and walked towards his room. Now I thought I had outsmarted him and he would be busy reading for a while and might even get tired of reading and find something less “boring” to do. NOT GARRETT. He read the booklet cover to cover. All 22 pages of it. I know because he returned about 10 minutes later and recited the entire thing for me. He knows just about everything there is to know about ants-and then some. His excitement had only grown. And I had been outsmarted by a 9-year-old boy.
I stopped what I was doing and looked at the order form. Garrett never quit talking--telling me about the lifespan of the average ant and their oxygen requirements. I was beginning to think I would be listening to the ant talk for 4-6 weeks while we waited for the delivery of a mail-order vial of ants when I saw it. The web site. “Order on-line for fastest service. Ants delivered within 72 hours of order processing.” I went straight to the computer and ordered the “approximately 25 Western Harvester ants” for $4.95 (Shipping included!).
The ants were ordered and we had nothing left to do but wait. Garrett was surprisingly patient. Other than the occasional ant-facts that spurt from his mouth he was actually kind of quiet. He didn’t lose his excitement though, because every day for the next four days he ran in to see if the mailman (mail-woman actually) had delivered his new friends. (He even forgot we don’t get mail on Sundays!)
The ants arrived on Monday while Garrett was at school, but the minute he walked in the door he was asking about them. The look of pure joy on his face when he saw the brown padded envelope was priceless.

TO BE CONTINUED. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LOST

Lost. One blogger. Numerous stories to tell. First blogged in January 2007. Last blogged in February 2007. Missed greatly. Last known name “Small But Wise”. Remarkable mind and amazing spirit. Loyal friend. Throws a great party-- (Not afraid to throw things in her house.) Strongly prefers an air conditioned environment.


If encountered use extreme caution. Kinda short (look who’s talking, I know!) but don’t let size fool you, she is ferocious . Can be bribed with dark chocolate. 98% sweet and kind, but watch out for that other 2%. . .

Let Your Light Shine

I like to read. Especially at night, in bed. It drives my husband crazy because when his head hits the pillow he is out (until the light I am using to read wakes him up!). I have become addicted to Max Lucado books. I love the way he relates real, everyday situations to the Bible. I love the way he tells it like it is and sometimes uses “in your face” tactics to get the point across. I have my own little Max Lucado library.
One of his books I have read recently is entitled “God Came Near”. A story from that book is so fitting for my church life right now that I thought I would share most of it.

The story starts with a storm and a loss of electricity. With the lights out the author goes to the storage closet to retrieve the ever reliable candles. After lighting several of them and turning to carry them out into the house to do their “work” one of the candles starts TALKING.

‘“Don’t take me out of here!”
“What?”
“I said don’t take me out of this room.”
“What do you mean? I have to take you out. You’re a candle. Your job is to give light. It’s dark out there. People are stubbing their toes and walking into walls. You have to come out and light up the place!”
“But you can’t take me out. I’m not ready,” the candle explained with pleading eyes. “I need more preparation.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. “More preparation?”
“Yeah, I’ve decided I need to research this job of light-giving so I won’t go out and make a bunch of mistakes. You’d be surprised how distorted the glow of an untrained candle can be. So, I’m doing some studying. I just finished a book on wind resistance. I’m in the middle of a great series of tapes on wick build-up and conservation—and I’m reading the new bestseller on flame display. Have you heard of it?”

So, as the author begins conversing with a candle, of all things, he gets a little impatient. He tells the candle he will just leave him there and take a different one. Now they ALL start talking. Each one has an excuse for why they can’t leave the storage closet.

“You may think we have to go, but I’m busy.”
“Busy?”
“Yes, I’m meditating on the importance of light. It’s really enlightening.”
-------
“I’m waiting to get my life together. I’m not stable enough. I lose my temper easily. I guess you could say that I’m a hot-head.”
-------
“I’d like to help, but lighting the darkness is not my gift.”
All this was sounding too familiar. “Not your gift? What do you mean?”
“Well, I’m a singer. I sing to the other candles to encourage them to burn more brightly.”

Now the author gets upset. The candles are giving every excuse in the book not to be brought out of the storage closet. The candles are all singing “This Little Light of Mine” while refusing to listen to reason and refusing to do what they were made for. The story ends with the author, still in the dark, explaining to his wife why he hasn’t retrieved the candles.

“Where are the candles?” She asked.
“They don’t. . . they won’t work. Where did you buy those candles anyway?”
“Oh, they’re church candles. Remember the church that closed down across town? I bought them there.”

There will be no business meetings in Heaven!

(As I am writing this Martina McBride’s “Do It Anyway” is playing on the radio. What a perfect song for my heart today.)


Well, it’s Sunday. I would like to be able to share an uplifting story or a stirring moment from this morning’s sermon. I would like to be able to write about the joy of spending a Sunday morning worshipping with fellow believers. I would like to, but I can’t. If I am going to be honest, I have to write about the discouragement and disappointment I feel. I have to mention the frustration and weariness that come easily on a day like today.
I am a member of a struggling church. A church that has lost focus and purpose. A church with little agreement and much animosity. I am a member of a church no one wants to claim, but all want to critique. And the worst thing is, we are a church whose main objective is gaining membership! (A friend of mine recently put it this way, "You can’t talk about grand vaulted ceilings and fine leather furniture when your foundation is made of mud, and it’s raining.")
I am not writing to vent anger, although anger is one of the many emotions I have to contend with. I am not writing to gain pity, although I have compassion for anyone who has ever struggled with a similar situation. I am writing because I am encouraged.
No. I am not intoxicated. I am not disoriented. I am not confused.

I am encouraged.

Don’t get me wrong. I long to move on. I want to be a part of a loving, growing, healthy church family. I have given up hope for recovery and reconciliation in this church. I struggle daily to stay involved and look past the politics that have crept into God’s house.
But every one of those sentences starts with “I”. God isn’t leading me to leave; He continues to put it on my heart to stay. God hasn’t given up hope, He is in control and whatever the outcome with the buildings and people we call “our church”- His plan is perfect and I have no reason to question or doubt that. God doesn’t struggle to see past the problems, He is at work in our midst, even if we don’t see it now. As much as I would like things to be different right now, God has made it perfectly clear that I am where I am supposed to be and that is encouraging. It’s not easy. I don’t enjoy it. But I was never promised ease. And I was never told it would always be fun.
We recently had a guest speaker who said something that I can’t forget. He asked if we knew why there wouldn’t be business meetings in Heaven. His answer? “Because God doesn’t care what we think!”
Sounds harsh, but so true.
God isn’t deterred by the disgruntled. And He doesn’t give up on us when we lose our way. He is always there, always the same, unaffected. It’s time to realize that God's direction has not left us, we just aren't following.
My personal prayer each night is that we will not be too blinded by our own interests to see what God has in store for us. He, no doubt, has a beautiful plan for using us. Will we be ready and willing to participate or will He have to use us despite ourselves?

Remember When. . .

This picture was taken in 1996. It was a training burn (no. we weren't posing for a photo while someone's house burned down) I truly enjoyed my years as a volunteer firefighter in Radcliff. There is nothing like facing your fear.

Life's Lessons

Cynthia learned an important lesson about friction and heat today.

Lindsay has been saving her birthday money since February. She was waiting for the one special thing she was willing to spend her money on and last week she found it- A bright pink Barbie scooter. Nothing fancy. Just one of those foldable scooters with the metal “flap” that goes over the back wheel for a brake. Lindsay has been up and down the driveway 100 times on that thing already!
Well, of course the other kids all wanted to ride too and Lindsay is really good at sharing, so everyone got a turn or two. Cynthia decided that she was too lazy to go in the house and put on shoes before her turn- she only wanted to go down the driveway once and it was a waste of time to get shoes(in her 14 year old mind anyway!). So, down the driveway she goes.
Now, if you have been to my house you know, our driveway is pretty steep. At the bottom is nothing but grass and a fence.
So, Cynthia takes off determined to break the speed record previously set by her younger brother. All is well until she decides it’s time to hit the brakes. She presses her bare foot against the metal which rubs against the turning wheel to slow the scooter. GUESS WHAT?!?!?!?! It got HOT! She had 2 choices. Let off the brake and barrel into the fence or continue to press the brake and see how hot it got. She chose the brake. . . . . . . . . . . . And it got very hot.
I’d say, judging by the size of the blister on her foot, she will not soon forget that friction generates heat (and metal conducts it!).

Remembering

Well, it’s been 19 years but it feel like only yesterday. May 14, 1988. A day I’d like to forget. A day I’ve TRIED to forget. But it only takes a small reminder, a simple noise or smell, and it’s like I’m there again. I was 12. The youth group from the church I had been attending was returning from a day trip to Kings Island in Ohio. A drunk driver hit us head-on and the bus burst into flames. 40 of us made it out. 24 kids and 3 adults (including our youth minister) did not. I often wonder about them. I wonder who they would be had they been allowed to continue their lives. What great things would they have done? I know that they would still be here if it was part of God’s plan, but I can’t help but wonder why He took them. And why He didn’t take me. One of the hardest things for me to grasp is that there are things we cannot understand. No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t make sense. Not to my imperfect human mind.
Over the last 19 years I have experienced many emotions including relief (to still be alive and physically unharmed), sadness (for the friends I lost, both in the fire and in the emotional aftermath), disbelief, resentment, empowerment, acceptance and anger. Boy did I have anger. I was angry at the man who caused the wreck (although he was the first to receive my forgiveness). I was angry at myself for not helping anyone else, for not knowing what to do, for thinking only of my own safety. I was mad at people who asked stupid questions and angry at people who didn’t ask any. I was angry. But most of all, I was angry at God. How could He let this happen? How could He let His children suffer such horrible deaths? Why didn’t He protect us? How . . .? Why . . .? I was so angry that I turned away. I questioned so much. I had so many doubts. And since I didn’t understand, since I COULDN’T understand, I gave up.
The amazing thing is He didn’t give up on me! He never left me. Even as I questioned Him and doubted Him, He was with me. While I was angry, He was forgiving. While I was disobedient, He was showing Grace. He never left me. And for that I will be forever thankful.
I am back on the right track now. I still don’t understand. I probably never will. But I know that He is with me, no matter what, and that’s all I need to know.

Happy Mother's Day !

Today I want to say "thank-you!". Thank-you to my Mother who put up with me without giving up on me. Who taught me how to live and how to love. Who gave me my creativity and desire to help others. Who is always there for me, no matter what. I Love You, Mom!
Thank-You to my Mother-In-Law who raised such a wonderful man, the love of my life! Who brought me back to church and keeps me there when I feel discouraged with the "politics". Who gives her all to help me in any way she can, even at the expense of her own needs. Who provides a wonderful Christian example for myself, my husband, and my children on a daily basis. Who doesn't judge or interfere, but always provides support and encouragement in good times and bad. I Love You, Mom!
Thank-You to my husband who brings joy to my life and a song to my heart just because he is mine. Who is patient when I am moody and supportive when I am down. Who provides for my family unselfishly while I pursue my dream with school and homework. Who loves me EVEN THOUGH. . . I Love You, Robby.
Thank-You to my children who have brought me such happiness. Who aren’t perfect, but don’t claim to be. Who are always ready to give a hug and have a way of bringing a smile to my face even on the darkest days. Who keep me on my toes and are always entertaining. Who I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world! I Love You, Cynthia, Kimberly, Garrett and Lindsay!
And Thank-You to God. Who placed all these special people in my life. Who loves me despite my many flaws and pushes me to be the person He designed me to be. Who never gave up on me, even when I gave up on Him. I Love You, my Lord.
I don't often take the time to say "Thank-You!" (Just one of my many faults!) So today I wanted to make sure it was said, loud and clear
THANK-YOU! I LOVE YOU! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

??????CAN YOU TELL WE ARE SISTERS???????

I'm so PROUD of Kimberly!

Kimberly, my almost-12-year-old, recently completed Bible Drill competitions. Bible Drill requires the kids to memorize the order of all of the books of the Bible, many Bible verses and many references. During the competition the kids are tested in four seperate ways. In the first round the "caller" announces a specific verse by Book, Chapter and Verse (or Verses). The kids have to recite the entire Verse from memory. The second round is called the "Completion Drill". They are given the first few words of a Verse and have to recite the entire Verse and reference from memory. The third round is locating the books in the Bible. They have 10 seconds to locate the "called" Book and then also have to recite the Book before and the Book after the one called. The fourth round is called the "Key Passage Drill". The caller announces the title of a specific Key Passage. The kids have ten seconds to locate it in the Bible.

This is the third year Kimberly has participated in this program and she gets better every time. The scoring is done by "mistakes", which is any time they don't know what has been called or think they do but get it wrong. This year Kimberly had !!!ZERO MISTAKES!!! for all three competitions (Church, Association and State) What an accomplishment!!!

I love seeing her up there, but she hates being in front of people. I am so proud of all the time and effort she puts into learning her way around her Bible. And I'm emberassed to say that I often have to ask her where to find something in my Bible!

Congratulations Kimberly! I am SO PROUD of you!!!!

Waiting is NO FUN ! ! ! !

I have an upset child tonight. Cynthia went to the dentist today to get her braces taken off. She was SO excited! She has been telling everyone she talked to about getting them taken off.

Well, we went to the dentist's office as soon as school let out. She asked me to bring the camera so we could get some "before" and "after" photos to document the event. While in the waiting room I took several pictures of a smiling, giggly girl who couldn't wait to see her teeth without the metal that has been attached to them for the past 2 years.

She had a bounce in her step as she walked back and wiggled into the chair. The assistant started getting things ready and put the cute little pink "bib" on her. Cynthia smiled, laughed and giggled as we waited for the dentist to come into the room. She picked out an orange glow-in-the-dark design for her retainer and talked about how strange it will feel to be able to run her tongue over her teeth again. She was on top of the world.

UNTIL. . .

The dentist came in and examined her teeth. The concerned look on his face said it all-the braces weren't coming off today. There has been a small amount of shifting in Cynthia's teeth since her last appointment. Not much, but enough to keep the braces on for 3 more weeks.

Needless to say, there are no "after" pictures to share. Only tears and discouragement for a 14 year old who says "Waiting is NO FUN!"

Playing in the Rain

It rained most of the day today -and I broke atleast 2 "Mommy rules"! I let my kids play in the rain and I let them play in the street! Of course I was right there with them (someone had to take the pictures, right!) There is something to be said for playing in the rain until every inch of your body is soaked.

I personally love the rain. I like the sounds it makes when it hits things. I like the way a nice, cold rain feels on my face. And, of course, I like the way the clouds part and the sun comes through after a long, gloomy day.

Well, everyone is in the house, dried off and in PJ's. The wrinkled fingers and toes are returning to normal. Maybe most people don't think of rain as one of God's many blessings, but it obviously is. Besides helping things grow and cooling off a hot day, rain can ease stress and put things in perspective. Try it. The next time it rains (not just a sprinkle-a good hard rain) put on some old clothes and get out in the middle of it. Splash around. Get wet. Get muddy. And most importantly have someone else join the fun. Just make sure you go inside and get dried off before things start to get chapped!

DIRECTIONS

Too often we just don’t take the time to read the directions!

Do you read directions?

I have been told that reading the directions is only for wimps, idiots and people who don’t have a clue what they are doing. I have been told that “real men don’t need directions!” Unfortunately, my stubborn husband believes these outrageous claims!

For a few months now the sink in our bathroom has been dripping. It started out slow, almost unnoticeable, but steadily progressed to a constant drip. Of course, over the last couple of weeks I have asked my husband to fix it, but he hasn’t “found the time”. It wasn’t until I went to Lowes and called him to ask what I needed to buy to fix the “stupid faucet” that he decided it was time to take charge. He told me it would be much easier for him to pick up the needed supplies than to tell me what to buy (which of course I agreed with, but I needed to make a point!) and promised he would handle it on his way home from work that day.
Well, he came home empty handed mumbling something about needing to take the thing apart to see what he actually needed. He proceeded to shut off the water to the sink and take the faucet apart. It seemed the problem was going to be fixed soon!
The next day he comes home with a bag from Lowes and goes straight to the bathroom. I could hear the sound of the tools clanging against the metal of the faucet. Although I sensed his frustration over being “forced” to repair something in my time, I was glad that we would soon have a leak-free sink. After about 10 minutes he came out of the bathroom and sat down on the couch next to me. I assumed the sink was fixed even though he didn’t say a word about it (I thought he was just pouting), but when I went to the bathroom a few minutes later there was water all over the counter top and a soaked towel dripping water into the sink. I couldn’t resist a few snide remarks while I turned the water on only to discover that it now was leaking at the handles as well as the constant drip that still came from the faucet!
My faucet is still not fixed and my husband will probably be furious that I decided to share this story (you know, that pride thing!). But the situation really made me think.
How much easier would this repair have been if my husband had read some directions somewhere along the way? I mean, I see all those “How To. . .” books at the hardware store. What are they there for if we (yes, even the men!) don’t need directions? How often do we try to repair, replace or assemble without reading the directions? How often do we wind up having to redo things because we didn’t do it right the first time (or second, or third …)
The same concept applies to life. All too often we try to do things on our own, our way, without reading the directions first. God gave us detailed “directions” for life, the greatest “How To” book ever; the Bible. But it is up to us to read it, to make sure we understand it, and to follow it. Too often we get stubborn and think we know what we are doing. Too often we are too prideful to realize that our way isn’t always the right way. (In fact our way usually ISN’T the right way!)


How sad it is to realize how much time we waste trying to find our way, blindly, through life when all along we had the directions right there in front of us; just waiting to be read!