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It’s a beautiful Indian Summer here in middle Georgia. I’ve been hard at it in my study since this morning trying to exegete the Hebrew of Genesis 7 & 8. The phone rings & its my Dad. “Hey, you ready to fix your kitchen ‘plumbing problem’?” After five hours of Hebrew, a blow torch and soldering iron were looking really good. “Sure” I enthusiasticly replied, “I’ll see you in about an hour”. We haven’t had cold water in our kitchen for the past couple of weeks. I “checked it out” and discovered that the cold water supply was leaking at the valve. I purchased the part a week and a half ago & it has been spending quality time with the other half of the home depot repair aisle that inhabit my top dresser drawer. Just as the supply valve was making friends with the box of outlets purchased last year, Dad called. I was all psyched up for the blow torch when Dad strolled in, tool box & drop light in tow. My son plugged in “Poppy’s” light and Dad disappeared under the sink. I could just about hear the hiss of the blow torch and and smell the odor of the hot solder gun when Dad emerged with that triumphant smile that I’ve seen a thousand times and declared, “You’re good to go”. What?! How?! Come to find out the hose to the sink sprayer, located about a foot above the cold water supply, came loose & the water ran down the line and dripped off of the supply handle. Some Teflon tape and a few tugs of the old adjustable wrench & we were “good to go”. The problem was my diagnosis & how I arrived at that particular conclusion. The thought of the time & energy involved in fixing it is what I used as an excuse to ignore the problem for two weeks. My dear wife, who has the patience of Job, lovingly commented that drinking warm water was getting a little old. Dad tackled the same exact problem but he had two things going for him that I don’t. One – Years of experience & two –a natural propensity to fix anything broken (which did not make it in my particular genetic makeup – I, however, CAN break anything Dad can fix)
This true account is really a microcosm of my life. I have a problem, a sin problem. It shows up in my life & makes a mess at home. I know it needs addressing but the time & energy to do that just seem overwhelming. Besides, there are so many other front burner issues that need my attention – I’ll deal with it later. You know, “if you ignore your sin, he is faithful and just…” Yea right. The Father calls at just the right time & I am willing to listen, “You bout ready to deal with that ‘plumbing problem’?” With the light of the Holy Spirit & the tool of Holy Scripture, he goes to work & puts his finger right on the problem – Unbelief. See, the sin is just a symptom of the root problem which is unbelief. I believed a lie then embraced it and gave birth to sin. That sin must be dealt with because if it is allowed to grow to maturity – death is the result. I am ready for major spiritual surgery but the Father merely tightens up the faith leak with the wrench of Scripture & seals it with the Teflon tape of the Holy Spirit. He emerges from the dark recesses of my soul and triumphantly declares, “You’re good to go”.
As Dad left my kitchen he gave me one of his chiding back door encouragements that I have become so fond of. “Don’t wait so long to call me next time.” Isn’t that just like the Father?
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