PESKY PROBLEMS IN PERFECT DISGUISE
Can I speak to all of the real diamonds out there? You’ve been through so much, having survived the ordeal of off-the-chart pressure over an extended period of time. But there is purpose in the pressure and the process. Bottom-line: No pain, no gain. Wouldn’t you agree?
Keith Ready shares a story that
positively affirms this fact. Read and
prayerfully ponder:
On a recent Saturday around
midnight, my wife and I were about to fall asleep when we heard people talking outside
our home. Out of the blue came two loud
thuds above our bedroom window, followed by the sound of laughter and people
running away down our street.
We jumped out of bed, turned on the external lights and rushed outside, unsure of what had caused the two thuds and what damage we might see. Dripping noises on the driveway and the flood light above our garage helped use to immediately identify what had happened. Our home was the victim of an egg bombing!
The prospect of cleaning up this sticky mess was not a pleasing thought, on top of which I was quite angry that we had been singled out for this annoying prank. I decided that it was too late to clean up the mess because it would disturb our neighbors, so it could wait until morning.
Early next morning, armed with a bucket of warm soapy water, a scrubbing brush and an extension ladder, I was ready to wash off the dried-out egg grit above our bedroom window.
My task was made even more challenging by the two large canvas awnings which protect our bedroom windows from the heat and glare of the sun. My annoyance with the late night pranksters was building again to the level of the night before.
After retracting the awnings, something we rarely do except when there are very high winds, I climbed the ladder to clean the first patch of egg stains. Then I moved the ladder to clean the second patch. As I climbed the second time, I noticed that the glass in a window just under the roof line was badly cracked. Since the awning protected the window, it was clear that the damage had not been caused by the egg bombing. As I carefully placed my hand on the glass, I discovered that the pane of glass was quite loose. Had the window been opened or closed with any force, it would likely have shattered and all that glass would have dropped to the drive way, seven meters below.
Underneath that window, we have a basketball court and on most days there are five or six children playing in that immediate area, including both our sons. My thoughts immediately turned to what could have happened if the broken glass in the window had gone undetected and suddenly shattered. The likelihood of our two sons and their friends being seriously injured was extremely high.
After washing the remaining egg stains off the front wall, I got some heavy duty masking tape and secured the cracked window as best I could. Within 24 hours the cracked window was replaced and all was back to normal.
We jumped out of bed, turned on the external lights and rushed outside, unsure of what had caused the two thuds and what damage we might see. Dripping noises on the driveway and the flood light above our garage helped use to immediately identify what had happened. Our home was the victim of an egg bombing!
The prospect of cleaning up this sticky mess was not a pleasing thought, on top of which I was quite angry that we had been singled out for this annoying prank. I decided that it was too late to clean up the mess because it would disturb our neighbors, so it could wait until morning.
Early next morning, armed with a bucket of warm soapy water, a scrubbing brush and an extension ladder, I was ready to wash off the dried-out egg grit above our bedroom window.
My task was made even more challenging by the two large canvas awnings which protect our bedroom windows from the heat and glare of the sun. My annoyance with the late night pranksters was building again to the level of the night before.
After retracting the awnings, something we rarely do except when there are very high winds, I climbed the ladder to clean the first patch of egg stains. Then I moved the ladder to clean the second patch. As I climbed the second time, I noticed that the glass in a window just under the roof line was badly cracked. Since the awning protected the window, it was clear that the damage had not been caused by the egg bombing. As I carefully placed my hand on the glass, I discovered that the pane of glass was quite loose. Had the window been opened or closed with any force, it would likely have shattered and all that glass would have dropped to the drive way, seven meters below.
Underneath that window, we have a basketball court and on most days there are five or six children playing in that immediate area, including both our sons. My thoughts immediately turned to what could have happened if the broken glass in the window had gone undetected and suddenly shattered. The likelihood of our two sons and their friends being seriously injured was extremely high.
After washing the remaining egg stains off the front wall, I got some heavy duty masking tape and secured the cracked window as best I could. Within 24 hours the cracked window was replaced and all was back to normal.
Over the next few days, I realized
that if our home not been bombarded by those eggs late Saturday night, I might
never have discovered the broken window pane before it shattered and came down over
the basketball court. Even though it had
been an annoyance at time, the broken eggs and stains were cleaned up quite
quickly. However, the damage that could
have been caused by the shattering of glass over our children’s heads could have
been very severe.
Frequently in life, the small things that happen to us have a temporary negative impact, causing some pain, sadness, discomfort or aggravation. It is often said that we should not 'sweat the small stuff' and we should always look for the positive outcome, i.e. ‘the silver lining’ in the dark clouds of current circumstances. Admittedly, at the time, this is not always easy to do.
My personal experience with the egg bombing reminds me that there is always a flip side to anything that happens to us. Often the flip side provides a positive outcome or benefit; if not now, then at some point in the future.
We heartily agree with you, Mr. Ready. Thanks for sharing your story. Although our personal circumstances might differ, there is always an element of divine favor that is present in every problem. Indeed, our pesky problems are perfect disguises for miraculous revelations of the love and power of God. What does the Word have to say about this?
Frequently in life, the small things that happen to us have a temporary negative impact, causing some pain, sadness, discomfort or aggravation. It is often said that we should not 'sweat the small stuff' and we should always look for the positive outcome, i.e. ‘the silver lining’ in the dark clouds of current circumstances. Admittedly, at the time, this is not always easy to do.
My personal experience with the egg bombing reminds me that there is always a flip side to anything that happens to us. Often the flip side provides a positive outcome or benefit; if not now, then at some point in the future.
We heartily agree with you, Mr. Ready. Thanks for sharing your story. Although our personal circumstances might differ, there is always an element of divine favor that is present in every problem. Indeed, our pesky problems are perfect disguises for miraculous revelations of the love and power of God. What does the Word have to say about this?
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Sisters and brothers, be continually
blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON
COMING KING. Maranatha!
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