Sunday, June 15, 2014

A Close Call on Father's Day

I still can't get over it.

We worked all day yesterday at the house we're renovating in Due West.  

We didn't quite get finished with one of our projects.

And now.

It's clear.

If we had finished....... our project yesterday,

We likely wouldn't have a house today.

Before 9:30 this morning,

We arrived in Due West.

I opened the back door of our house and walked inside.

Checking  on the brick I had installed on the kitchen wall the day before.

And the smell was overwhelming.

Not a natural gas smell.

That was my first thought.

But strong enough to irritate my eyes and throat immediately.

Scott & I had no idea where it could be coming from.

So, over the course of the next ten minutes.

We met a policeman and three volunteer fire fighters from Due West.

They carefully went through the house.

Reacting much as we did to the odor.

And this was the culprit.


I used what I thought was just a polishing oil Saturday.

Linseed Oil.

On two mantels and our heart pine front door.

And very carelessly when I was done.

I placed the Linseed Oil in a bedroom closet.

And tossed this rag in beside it.

Linseed Oil, I learned.

Was used by the old cotton mills to oil wood floors.

Highly combustible.

By the time the rag was discovered this morning.

The oil had burned a hole right through it.

It was charred black.

And hot to the touch.

One of the fireman told me that Linseed Oil can ignite in as little as two hours.

Reaching temperatures of 200 degrees when left on rags.

The fact that it hadn't already done so.

After 14 hours.

A miracle.

It was in a box.   In a closet.

With aerosol cans of paint stripper.

Under the stairway of our hundred year old house.

Days before our renovation is completely done.

I felt sick at my stomach at my carelessness.

Unbelievable.

And so grateful.

The outcome could have been much different.

It's nothing short.

Nothing short.

Of God's grace and intervention.

We had planned to take the day off today.

From working at the house.

Even when we decided we'd better finish yesterday's project.

We planned to go up late in the day.

But we went this morning.

First thing.

And I'm just thanking Jesus that we did.

Blessed by the volunteer fire fighters in Due West.

They were terrific!

Blessed by God's hand of protection.

And incredible blessing.

He's provided it countless time in our relationship with this old house.

Time and time again.



Monday, June 2, 2014

What I'm Lacking




Have you ever been tested or tried?

Or found yourself in a tough season of circumstances?

I'm there right now.

And no.

I don't need a lecture.

About counting my blessings.

I have plenty of reasons to feel blessed.

Plenty.

But.

At the same time.

Just as I've been in periods of time.

When circumstances are light.

And easier.

And uncomplicated.

The opposite can also true.

Circumstances can pile on.

Difficulties.

Challenges.

Demands.

Yes.

The kind that can kick you in the teeth.

Or be more subtle.

Exhaustingly.... hard seasons.

My mom worries when I write posts about hardship.

"Are you okay?" she'll ask me tomorrow.

"I worry about you."

Yeah.

I'm okay.

And I am.

Life can just be hard sometimes.

My faith tells me to thank God during trials and hardships.

I have a hard time doing that.

Just being honest.

So.......as I'm working on thankfulness during trials.

I do know that hard seasons show me things about myself.

Right now?

I'm learning about......today.

Of living in today.

And I'm doing that.

Because too far beyond that can be a bit overwhelming.

Today.

Is where I find relationship.

With Him.

Not in the past.

Not somewhere in the future.

But today.

That's what He's showing me.

He provides the strength that I need.

Today.

He supplies the courage that I need.

Today.

He equips me for.

Today.

So, I try to hold nothing back.

I get up and spend time with Him.

And tell Him how I feel.

If it's discouraged.

I tell Him.

If it's fear.

I tell Him.

If it's wishing for an easier time of it.

I tell Him that too.

Today.

Tough seasons of time are part of living.

And me?

Maybe it's a time for me to see what I'm made of.

Or more truthfully.

It's a time for me to see what I'm lacking.

I'm lacking.

He's providing.

And I'm finding Him.

In today.