It is time to…
pack
load the kids in the “back of the wagon”
break out the maps
vacation
visit family
tour far away destinations
build memories with your kids
call your insurance agent with a claim of seismic proportion.
~~~
If you are anything like me, you get excited about vacations. You imagine the fun that will be had, you plan out as much as you can so that you will have all that is needed but not more than you want to carry. You choose the best multipurpose clothes, shoes, jewelry, and do loads of laundry in advance based on what must make it into the bag. You hire a neighbor’s child to water the plants, feed the pet, and check the mail. You make sure you take out the trash, turn on the lights that make it look like you are still in town, and turn the thermostat as high as possible to save $$$.
You probably do not turn off the water to your toilets or unhook the water from your washing machine and refrigerator. Let me just say this: YOU MIGHT WANT TO RETHINK THAT!
Most of us have never thought to do that.
It is on the forefront of my mind though. A friend of ours recently had his toilet’s flow arm corrode and break in two, while he was out of town.
His home flooded!
The toilet that caused the deluge is on the second floor. This toilet ran and ran and ran. The water went down the stairs. The water went throughout a portion of the upstairs. The water pooled upstairs in the loft area above the kitchen. The water soaked the carpet, furniture, wafer board, and sheet rock ceiling of the kitchen on the first floor. Then the soaked sheet rock fell and shattered the glass kitchen table…
I could go on and on. Let me just say one last thing about the damage, when it was discovered, water was running out the front door.
Over a cheaply made flow arm.
Alright, go ahead and check your toilets. I will wait for you to get back……
After inspecting the flow arm, it appeared that the corrosion would not have been visible in advance. It corroded internally first. One inexpensive, small, weak part brought massive damage to an otherwise well built home.
Let that soak in.
My husband was able to speak with one of the water mitigation employees. He gleaned a few things from this conversation. This kind of damage is more common than any of us would be comfortable knowing about. It can often be prevented and/or the damage reduced.
Now I know that this is not the kind of info that many of you are looking for when you visit our site, but hang with me. As I pondered this experience I was reminded that…
Compromise and sin corrodes us from the inside out. The damage that results seems to come from out of nowhere, but often is the effect of unfaithfulness over time.
Most of us do not walk with the Lord faithfully for 30 years and then totally degenerate into wretches the next day. No, we leave weak areas unchecked. We give in a little here or there. We choose to relax more on what we do, think, and say. Then all of sudden, destruction comes in response to some hidden sin. Sometimes it is our sin, sometimes it comes from another. Sin always pays back a greater dividend than what was invested too.
We all have “cheap flow arms” otherwise known as a sin nature. My sin nature is just as ugly as yours. All of us have weakness.
My redeemed standing before God is pristine though, because Christ’s righteousness is my robe. My new heart and new nature are holy. Until I die, I will have that flow arm, but I will not be it’s victim. I am flooded, but by God’s grace, mercy, and strength. Where I am weak, God promises to be strong for me. He forgives, cleanses, and restores. He wants to do the same for you.
Turn to Him to help you inspect your weak flesh, be forgiven, restored, strengthened…
and turn off the water to your household appliances and toilets before you head out of town.
“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”
2 Chronicles 16:9
Growing in grace,
Jen
Picture is courtesy of www.toiletology.com
4 Comments
Jen- I love the analogy that you have shared this morning. It is very simple and definitely applicable to our lives. The struggle between our sinful nature and our desire to do God's will is often so strong that we think we can never overcome. However, the reality is that with God's strength and wisdom (and of course a consistent walk with him) we WILL overcome that "cheap flow arm," and create a priceless flowing strength to further His Kingdom.
Thank you for your inspiration and commitment to encouraging us. God Bless.
Wow, loved this. Those areas left unchecked — we know about them. We know we're letting them go. But we ignore it, hoping we can get away with it. But we never can…
Jen, a little inspection is definitely in order – both with the plumbing and spiritually. Great analogy and scary story! Oh my! Amazing what a little leak can do, huh? Made me think!
I was completely overwhelmed by the pictures my husband showed me of the damage. I do not want to see that happen to anyone with their home or their spirit. Thanks for your comments.
Thea, may we "create a priceless flowing strength to further His Kingdom" as you have stated so beautifully.
Arianna, it is so true. We never can get away with it.
Kay, It truly is amazing what a leak can do!