Drip, Drip, Drip

Sunday, October 13, 2019
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Listen while you read: "Can A Little Child Like Me"1 (Lyrics)

1 John 3:23-24 – And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. (ESV)

When God suggested that we move, I wanted a house that was new. After all, I had suggested to God, "This is what You should want for us, right?" God heard, but had different, better plans.

It is an older bungalow with an attic which has been converted into two bedrooms that get hot in summer. In the winter, it is the opposite, so I keep a check on the boiler that has a slow leak somewhere out of sight.

After our holiday, coasting along as a Christian enjoying the sand, sea, and vistas, I sat down at home once more to relax one evening and watch the television. There was a drip, drip-drip, drip-drip-drip on the table right next to me as I watched. Quick, get a bucket, I thought. Rain water!

The next day, I tracked down the cause: a previously mended broken roof tile. I crawled out of the bedroom roof window and repaired it, grateful that it had not caused more water damage as it passed over Caroline's clothes closet upstairs.

I praised God for His hand on my old body and brain to get the job done, without there having been a bigger drama. I call on God when there are physical consequences of being a fallen human being, living in a fallen world that needs my attention. It is good to know where our help comes from.

What I had not expected was to be wakened a few days later by water pouring through the kitchen ceiling onto the floor. The ensuite toilet had sprung a leak and flooded the carpet, then run through the loft space and down into the kitchen.

It was a great big wet mess! Carpets and toilet all had to be ripped out and replaced because stains from the previous occupants revealed themselves through the now-saturated carpet.

Whilst I dried out the floor with a hair-dryer, I sanitized the chipboard with anti-bacterial. In the doing, I became aware of a thought from God: "Let Me remove the hidden stains of your past." It was a bit of a surprise, but I soon had an example of what He meant.

The next week, we were to run a holiday club, with 70-80 young children. I had previously left teaching because I was disenchanted. I was not happy because, somehow by experience, I could judge children and staff, and my presumptions were confirmed. God did not want that in me because it got in the way of His love for the children whom I was to meet the following week.

God's presence was evident in the playing and doing of the club, felt by all the many children and helpers working together. God was working His purpose out in me, too.

We now have a new squeaky-clean ensuite toilet and vinyl floor — no stains.

I wonder what things of the past we may have hung onto that influence how we judge — things that God wants us to let go of today.

Prayer: Lord, we may not always be aware of what impairment has been done in our lives, so we ask that You may show us anything that is unhelpful or not pleasing in our lives that can be purified or taken away by Your grace. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Rod Marshall <roderickhenrymarshall@gmail.com>
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Good word, Rod. Have a blessed day.


    Hello Rod,
    May God bless you with no more leaks as you continue to write for Him!


    Sometimes our pain comes from having our fingers in a door God is trying to close – that slogan is what your devotional reminded me of today, Rodney. Thanks for writing it.


    Thanks for sharing this devotional with us. How true! When life throws challenges at us, God is always available for help and comfort. So glad your kids club went well. To God be the glory. Blessings.


    Greetings Rod,
    Thanks for writing. Water problems are never a delight to deal with, but having God’s grace in our lives and knowing we can rely on His help is a real delight.
    Blessings,
    (B.C.)


    Good one Rod. God had just shown me something from the past that l needed to put to rest, right before l read your devotional this morning. Thank the good Lord for His mercy and forgiveness that in Christ we may forgive others as He forgives us.
    Blessings.


    Hello Rod:
    So nice to read your faith story from “across the pond!”
    Somehow it seems strikingly meaningful to share this faith with people from another continent and country.
    Blessings.


    Thank you for this ever pertinent and necessary lesson. Life has been dripping on my husband and I for the last six weeks. Deaths of family members and friends, three lengthy power outages. and on and on. However, we have found God’s wisdom, gratitude, and grace in all events, no matter how difficult. Our lives change but His promises last forever.


    Hi R,
    Oh, water damage! That can be messy and time-consuming to clean up. l have my own experiences with that! What a good analogy with expunging out thoughts and judgement of the past and allowing God to wipe away the old stains to reveal His fresh, clean perspective, which can change and re-new our lives.
    I didn’t know that you were a teacher as well, by the way. Teaching is a blessing and a vocation, but it is a very demanding profession. I’m glad that you could re-connect with the kids through the running of the holiday program and re-discover some of your earlier joy.
    Blessings.

 



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