The Wading Pool

About a month ago, the faucet in the tub in my girls’ bathroom began to drip when I turned it off.  Nothing major, just a tiny drip.  A few weeks later, it began to be a bit steadier, but with some handle wrangling, I could get it to stop.  I knew I should call a plumber, but didn’t want to spend the money.  Plus, it stopped.  (Can you see where this is going?)  Well, last night, I was running water to give my little girls their bath, and when I went to turn it off, it decided it didn’t want to cooperate.  I could not turn it off, and it was running full force.  I ended up having to shut off the water in the whole house (why I know how to do this is another story for another day, but those of you that know us know why), and call a plumber in.  I learned a few lessons along the way.

Lesson #1:  A little drip can become a big problem.  Sometimes, the things that seem insignificant can grow into a major problems.  Ever thought, “Oh, it’s just one (insert your own issue here); it can’t hurt.”  One look, one sip, one toke, one comment, one phone call, one offhand comment, one whatever.  Those seemingly small things can become big problems.

Lesson #2:  It’s always easier to deal with a situation when it first comes up.  Would I have saved any money had I called a plumber when the drip first started?  Probably not.  Would I have saved the frustration of having no water in my house, being unable to take a shower before work today (sorry guys)?  Yes.  I hate confrontation.  There are a lot of things in my life that I haven’t wanted to deal with, but in each and every case I can honestly say that it would have been better to deal with each situation  when it first occurred.  So how about you?  What are you putting off dealing with?

Lesson #3:  I so take for granted the little things in life.  How often do you thank God that you have running water in your house?  Me neither.  I did tonight when I made a pot of coffee, washed clothes, and took a long 0ver-due shower!  Remember to thank God for the little things, because there are many that don’t have the things we take for granted.

Lesson #4:  Plumbing is a hard job, and good plumbers are worth every penny you pay them.

Lesson #5:  Some things can be dealt with by regular maintenance, but some are out of the blue.  In life, there are things that we can prevent by taking steps each day.  But sometimes, there are things that hit you, and you just have to roll with it.  There was nothing I could do to prevent the crazy faucet from breaking.  It wasn’t my lack of upkeep that caused it to stick,  I just had to deal with it when it did.  But you know what, it’s what we do day in and day out that prepares us for those “out of the blue” moments.  How are you preparing each day for what’s coming your way?  You in the Word?  You in prayer?  The guy that fixed the faucet didn’t learn how to do it today, he came ready.  We have to be ready for what comes our way.  Are you?

Lesson #6:  Sometimes, I think too much.