Yearly Archives: 2015

Today the new sewer lines get inspected.

Our plumber knows that they have to be done just right.  Both he and I know the inspector – a real stickler but fair. 

So, early this morning – around 6:30 – our plumber was by the house to make sure things are in place.  There are a few more lines to attach, and then he needs to be at the house when the inspection takes place.

The basement is a marvel.  Three weeks ago there were all sorts of plumbing lines run helter skelter.  A bathroom that was just across the hall from the shower.  An upstairs bathroom that seemed to have the fixtures in the wrong place. 

The renovation has required a jackhammer (which I rather enjoyed), new ABS piping, and a whole lot of planning and revision as we have gone along.  The Town even found out that we had a water line coming into our house that was unmetered.  That was fixed!!

Our day will be exciting – we hope of have permission to recement the basement floor by tonight and the next phase comes next!!

Today the reading was on transitions.  The devotional writer spoke of the transition a professional athlete has to make when he “retires.”

The emphasis was on not doing it all your way, but seeking for help.  The help described was God – the first and primary point of call.

I have found in my life also, that God is first.  But after that, you’d better be open for your fellow lifeboat members to give you a hand.

They will bail for you, tell you when storms are approaching, even relieve you of a night watch so you can get some respite.

Chose your companions well.  Life will be so much better!

In younger days, the backyard shed was for lawn equipment – or if you were lucky and it was empty you could turn it into a fort or other valuable structure.

This weekend we had some of the kids drive in from Calgary.  They enjoyed a visit and we enjoyed their presence.

As well, we hauled them off to build a backyard shed.

Now, these sheds have emblazoned on the box that they are “easy to assemble.”  If you are a puzzler, that may be true.  If patience is not a virtue, not so true.

Thankfully the combination of those working on the project was just right.  The planner and director, the grunt workers, the analytical types and the just plain “I showed up, what can I do” types.

The shed was up in a few hours.

Thanks to all those who helped.

What consumes us?

I want to call those the sagas of our lives.  At various points those things may include schooling, marriage, children, retirement, addictions, death and dying.  Those are some of the biggies!

Most of these call us back to God.  We find that our own abilities are less than what is required and we seek for a greater power.  As a Christian, I realize that access to God is through a very real person who experienced what I will experience – Jesus.

But today, I am consumed by a lesser saga.  That of our renovations.  I awoke this morning with new and creative ideas flowing through my head.  I have tried to also make my morning awakening time part of a spiritual journey to seek God’s help. 

The distraction of renovations makes that very hard.  I wonder how many other distractions of lesser value but greater immediacy occupy us.  A musical endevour, gardening, puzzles and gaming.  The list could go on.

Recognizing the danger of loss of immediacy in our connection with God is the first step in keeping life’s balance.  The next is to do something about it.  This morning I headed my renovation train of thought into the station for a few moments while I chatted with God. 

Perhaps I need to map our more train station stops in my life.

Not a bad idea!