So it was six months ago today that Janet broke her arm and had surgery to repair it two days later. A plate and too many screws to count started her on the road to recovery that has taken most of the spring. She has done well in PT and has accepted the limitations that such a fall produced. But after that incident, we have both struggled with illnesses that I have written about before.
But on this Father’s Day, we were both settling in for a quiet day. Jut the two of us and calls from the kids wishing me a “Happy Father’s Day.” But it wasn’t to be… As I was laying in bed this morning, I heard something in the basement. The sump pump seemed to be working too hard – even though there was a terrible storm last night. So, I got up to investigate and sure enough, there was water on the floor in the workshop. It seems that a check valve had come loose and the pump was recycling and throwing water on the floor. Not exactly the way I wanted to start Father’s Day!
By the way, the day that Janet had surgery for her arm, six months ago, we also sprung a leak in the hot water heater and had a similar problem with water on the floor. Friends of our were kind enough to manage taking care of the replacement and repair of all the things that had to be done during our absence. Never in my wildest imagine did I ever suppose that today would start out the same way. And it has been one thing after another the entire day.
From going to buy industrial fans to checking plumbing connections, the day I had planned for relaxation was quickly transformed into a work day attended to by friends and professionals who have been through this kind of thing many times before. Thankfully, they all knew what they were doing and things went easier as a result of their competence.
But the family barbecue we had planned went out the window and Janet and I ended up having a quiet dinner by ourselves. To Andrew’s credit, he was wonderful coming over and helping with the clean up this morning and early afternoon. Jill has been wonderful about calling in and checking on Janet; and Kristin get big points for being kind enough to bring our dinner in. Oddly, both Andrew and Kristin made comments about postponing our Father’s Day celebration until next week. Rather than just throwing something together, everyone would like to wait and try it again next week-end. We have all come to enjoy our family tie together.
Since I am supposed to head out of town on business for several days, and got sidetracked with all the last minute stuff today, I quickly agreed that next week may be a better option. It’s just that I can’t ever remember something like this happening and in a way, when it’s over, it’s over – isn’t that what they say?
The verse that comes to mind for this evening is from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, generally regarded as one of the greatest prophets who ever lived. And Isaiah tells us, in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
In other words, God knows why things happen, but we don’t necessarily have all the answers and even the best laid plans of men and women are sometimes thwarted by things beyond our control. My encouragement tonight is that God wants us to trust Him and understand that from time to time He calls an audible that we just don’t understand. My prayer is that you can have the presence of mind to trust and remember that generally, God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, although I know that I have questioned that from time to time. So, next week we will try Father’s Day 2.0. In the meantime, have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…
Scott
Yes, a very good verse. GOD looks at the really loooonnng term, and our short term ‘disasters’ are tests. And it is not our short term anythings that really matter. What matters is the legacy we leave behind. The point of our real efforts, the results of a life well-lived. This is the real test.
Thanks
Dave