There are moments in life when you receive confirmation that you're on the right path. These moment usually look like insanity to anyone outside the know because they are perfectly curtailed for you and you alone to fully comprehend. This is the nature of a loving and close relationship with Jesus Christ.
With little and big confirmations along the way, I already knew our latest big move was the right thing. But my father in heaven also knew I'd need another little nod today.
Traditionally the night before my wife and I have a big move/trip planned (furloughs, etc) and the house is all packed up and it's late at night, something of a plumbing type nature breaks. It is usually the washing machine. I can't tell you how many times we've been up late at night fixing a washing machine because we left at 8am the next day and we had no way to get it repaired before then without doing it ourselves.
Well today it was a leaky toilet supply line.
It was 6pm. The hardware store closed in an hour or so. I was achy and sleepy from a long day. My wife says those dreaded words, "Honey I think the toilet is leaking, there is water all over the floor."
Sure enough, it was. The toilet supply line had a very slow drip.
Could I make it to the hardware supply store in time to get the right part, then get back and hope it worked? (Usually plumbing for me doesn't fix the first time around.)
Most toilet supply lines are standard in the U.S. There are really only 2 types of connectors for the most part. It wouldn't be hard, I was just tired, and had to chuckle... why didn't I expect this? I mean, WE ALWAYS have our plumbing emergency.
Then the thought hit me!
Fast Rewind to 19 months ago.
We were living in a temporary house and in order to thank the landlord for not charging us as high rent as they could of, I did little repairs around the house. Finding a leaky toilet, I went out and got replacement parts for it. Turns out it wasn't the parts I thought. But I had put in all new parts anyway. Well I had a perfectly good, if only about a year old, toilet supply line in my hands. Throw it out? NAH! I'm a missionary, I'll save it. And so I did. 18 months ago.
Fast Rewind to a month ago.
I was pre-packing (we do that) and purging stuff I didn't need. I went through my 'odds n ends' bin in the shed and found the toilet line, and went to chuck it in the trash/rubbish bin. Until earlier tonight I thought I had.
So there I am tonight. Psyching myself to don the mask, go out to the hardware store, find a line, come back, plumb it in, etc. Not a major thing, would be done in under an hour, when I have this thought:
"Hey, do I have a spare line in my oddsnends bin? Nah! Even if I did it wouldn't fit. Besides didn't I chuck it?"
I went down there, and there it was, I hadn't thrown it away! It fit perfectly and the toilet no longer leaks. A nice newish hose back in place! The whole ordeal cost me 10 minutes. I even had spare 'plumbers' tape' in my toolbag (of course I have a theory that every toolbox has plumbers' tape).
I was done and happy that I had not thrown away that toilet line.
And honestly a little puffed up and proud of myself for having the tools, the talent and the supplies needed!
But a few minutes went bye, and then I started to chuckle.
You see, this morning I said 'see you later' the bulk of my family. It was my little neice's birthday party and as we left we gave longer than usual hugs to all.
I was a little emotional about it, surprised by the emotion, actually. I hadn't exactly planned on being emotional.
So of course when I'm like that I look up and say 'okay God, seriously? I'm I being nuts here? This is something you're doing right? If not, I'm losing my mind.'
And then, as if God said 'okay my immature little child, I'll yet again reassure you... ' Yup, I'm convinced God gave me a toilet hose over a year ago because He knew I'd need a little hug from Him tonight.
That's how my relationship with God is. Call me crazy. That's how we roll.
