Why have You brought this trouble on Your servant? What have I done to displease You … ? — Numbers 11:11
Okay, folks, it’s time to rerun plumbing story number 2.
The kitchen drain started backing up right after I installed a dishwasher. This was a problem, but feeling a new wave of confidence, I dumped three bottles of drain opener down the sink. This did not solve the problem. Then I put on rubber gloves and took the trap apart under the sink. This did not solve the problem. I found a hand crank drain opener and snaked down the pipes. This did not solve the problem. I went to the rental store and rented a 25-foot electric snake.
I should have known I was going to have trouble with it when the 250-pound guy who was showing me how to use it almost fell over when he turned it on. But, crazy me, I took it home anyway, and tried to stuff it down the drain pipe.
It was a noble experiment in incompetence, but the drain did not open. Then I moved to the dreaded last resort — I called a plumber. He was a nice guy.
I know how much plumbers like large numbers when they write up their bills, so I tried breaking down his resistance. I chatted pleasantly with him. We took his picture next to the three bottles of drain opener I dumped down the sink. I offered him dessert. And I gave him an autographed copy of one of my books. Meanwhile, he snaked his way through 25 feet of pipe. Then he rebuilt the trap which was out of code. We turned on the water. It ran and ran and ran — a beautiful sight until we opened the basement door and discovered water everywhere.
This was not a good thing.
"Yep," he said, "probably need a jackhammer to get at that pipe going through the concrete wall. Good thing it isn’t [load] bearing. Expect this one to definitely be more than a week’s paycheck."
Of course, he doesn’t have any idea what a week’s paycheck is for me, and I didn’t want to discourage him by telling him.
He put in a temporary patch and told us not to use the water for a while. Then he asked if we wanted him to mail a bill or write one up before he left. I asked him how much it would be for the work he had done so far. He gave me a ballpark amount.
"Mail it," I said. "Definitely, mail it."
I think this is why I like the prayers of Moses so much. "Why have You brought this trouble upon Your servant? What have I done to displease You …?" I can relate. But, you know, I wish you could see me. I’m laughing.
If we didn’t have these little adventures with God, how boring our lives would be. So let me encourage you to join me — enjoy the journey — it all turns out okay in the end.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.