So many things happen in our lives over the years that we cannot possibly remember them all. You would think we would remember the things that were traumatic. We don't always remember those things. As a parent, I can say that my kids remember things I do not. When you are raising kids that is what you are doing. You are busy with the discipline, the homework, the schooling, the taxi driving, the recitals, the games and somewhere in there a shower every now and then. The things that happen on a day to day basis do not always imprint themselves on your brain so that you can recall them again. Mostly you just lay down at night in exhaustion for 6 to 8 hours, just to get up and do it all again.
Now my children are adults. My daughter has four children of her own to see after. She is busy and I am sure the description above is hers as it was mine. But my daughter will bring up something from her childhood that I remember nothing about. She did that a couple of weeks ago. She said, "Remember the blue loafers with the tassels you made me wear?" My mind was scrambling because I couldn't remember any blue shoes at all. I am sure that I just bought them because she needed shoes and I got a good deal but to remember them...nope.
"No, I don't," I replied.
"They were terrible. I was so embarrassed to wear them. I remember standing at the bus stop for school with them on. I didn't want anyone to see them. I didn't want to wear them but you made me" she said.
"Mmmmm, I just don't remember that."
"I even talked to your friend about them and she just told me they were classic."
"She was covering for me, I'm sure," I said.
She kept talking about those shoes and how much she hated them and how much she was embarrassed by them. I began to feel bad for having scarred her with blue tasseled shoes. I apologized saying that I didn't realize how badly they made her feel.
Wow! Our memories are not perfect! Neither are our intentions! We make mistakes along the way as we parent. Sometimes we never realize the many things our kids will remember of which we have no clue. But blue shoes??? Who would have thought???
It is in times like that when I rejoice in my Heavenly Father. He never forgets! He always knows what is best for me! He provides all I need! He hears me! He sees me! He knows me! He disciplines me for my good and His glory! He is God and there is no other! "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!" Galatians 4:6
So what about the shoes my Heavenly Father has provided? "and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace." Ephesians 6:15 My feet are covered by the gospel of peace. They are great shoes. He always knows best! The thing is these shoes are more than classic, they are eternal.
I wonder if He has gospel of peace shoes in blue with tassels???
Showing posts with label God's Word. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's Word. Show all posts
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
My First Pedicure
A few weeks ago, I was going to be speaking at a one day conference. You know how it is when you are going to be in front of people, you want to look your best. I found these great sandals to wear on that day. Well I knew they would look a whole lot better if I had painted toenails. So I decided to treat myself to my first pedicure. I have always taken care of my toes myself. Part of the reason is that someone else touching my feet makes me cringe a bit. The other part is that I just haven't done it. I was determined to get over the cringe and take the plunge.
The nail salon was very nice. The technician put me at ease right away. She said, "If it has been a long time since your last pedicure, you may want to have the sugar scrub for your feet."
Of course my answer was, "I have never had a pedicure."
She looked at me and said, "Like I said if it has been a long time since your last pedicure, you may want to have the sugar scrub for your feet."
Obviously she wasn't getting it so I said, "You don't understand. I have never had a pedicure."
Her eyes widened and she was speechless. She was probably trying to calculate how old I was. After all, how could a woman get through 60 years and never have a professional pedicure! I was living proof that it can be done.
She did my nails and did a beautiful job. The toes make the shoes!
But after all the work on my nails, it was not my toes that were important at the conference. It was the Word of God. No one really came up to me and said, "Wow! Your toes look great!" Actually I am glad that they didn't. God's Word takes priority over these little pleasures of life. It is far more pleasurable.
At the conference, I spoke on our race of life from Hebrews 12:1-4. We have a race to run that God has laid out for us. We are to run it well. We cannot do that with our feet entangled in sin or if we are carrying an idol in our heart. We run it well when we look at Jesus and how He ran the race before us. It doesn't matter if our toenails are polished or not. We are to run for the glory of God! What's keeping you from running today? I know there are many things I still need to disentangle in my own life but God is patient and compassionate. In that I greatly rejoice!!
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." Hebrews 12:1-4
(By the way, I did get the sugar scrub and it was wonderful!!)
The nail salon was very nice. The technician put me at ease right away. She said, "If it has been a long time since your last pedicure, you may want to have the sugar scrub for your feet."
Of course my answer was, "I have never had a pedicure."
She looked at me and said, "Like I said if it has been a long time since your last pedicure, you may want to have the sugar scrub for your feet."
Obviously she wasn't getting it so I said, "You don't understand. I have never had a pedicure."
Her eyes widened and she was speechless. She was probably trying to calculate how old I was. After all, how could a woman get through 60 years and never have a professional pedicure! I was living proof that it can be done.
She did my nails and did a beautiful job. The toes make the shoes!
But after all the work on my nails, it was not my toes that were important at the conference. It was the Word of God. No one really came up to me and said, "Wow! Your toes look great!" Actually I am glad that they didn't. God's Word takes priority over these little pleasures of life. It is far more pleasurable.
At the conference, I spoke on our race of life from Hebrews 12:1-4. We have a race to run that God has laid out for us. We are to run it well. We cannot do that with our feet entangled in sin or if we are carrying an idol in our heart. We run it well when we look at Jesus and how He ran the race before us. It doesn't matter if our toenails are polished or not. We are to run for the glory of God! What's keeping you from running today? I know there are many things I still need to disentangle in my own life but God is patient and compassionate. In that I greatly rejoice!!
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." Hebrews 12:1-4
(By the way, I did get the sugar scrub and it was wonderful!!)
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Those Who Left a Legacy
As far back as I can remember church was an important part of my family's life. Before I was born, the Hopewell Baptist church was built on property donated by my paternal grandparents. My grandparents from both sides of my family were founding members of the church. It was in this church I had the privilege of having my Grandmother as my 2nd grade Sunday School Teacher. She gave me my first bible. I learned a great deal from her about being a servant. What a rich heritage!
This continued on in my mother's example to me. She read the scriptures every morning as I was growing up. It was a joy to get up each day and see her in the Word. She made sure that my brothers and I were in church hearing the Word and being involved. What an example!
The Lord brought a couple in my life when I was 11 years old, the Sumners. They saw something in me and began to nurture it. They saw the ability to teach and lead. How they saw that in an 11 year old, I do not know! I am grateful for the opportunities of service that they gave me. I was able to teach in their Junior Department at the age of 14 years. Mr. Sumner was not the greatest teacher but he loved God and he loved God's Word. Mrs. Sumner was quiet and in the background but she was a loving wife who served God and her husband with a gentle spirit. I learned much from the two of them. What a legacy of loving God!
As a teen, I was close to my pastor, Bill Coleman. He was a man who had vision. He wanted to serve the Lord and do so in many different ways. He was never in a rut. He showed me that things can change and God can still bless. He was a man who loved God and lived the gospel He was a goal marker and completer. What a joy to see such service!
Through the years I have had many who have left me a legacy to follow. Just recently I lost my colleague and friend, Patrick McGoldrick. He and I spent a lot of time discussing theology and other things. I shared a personal prayer request with him just after he had been diagnosed with ALS. Patrick told me how he would put a penny in his shoe to remind him to pray for someone all day. It was a few weeks later that he came to my office and gave me a piece of paper that said "Penny in the shoe...praying for you." with a penny taped to it. A few weeks later, he brought me another penny. I still have this paper with the two pennies taped to it in my desk drawer. What a legacy to pray for others!
Now I am led by Bob Johnson II as my pastor, colleague and friend. He has show me what is important in life by teaching me that life is all about God. He reminds me as a shepherd that I need to live my life in line with the Word of God. His life is a reflection of the Savior and I am grateful to see it modeled for me. What a privilege to work with this man who is leaving a legacy to so many!
The challenge is to leave a legacy to those behind me! That is my desire and that is my prayer. What an awesome responsibility!
"Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD" Psalm 102:18
"We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done." Psalm 78:4
This continued on in my mother's example to me. She read the scriptures every morning as I was growing up. It was a joy to get up each day and see her in the Word. She made sure that my brothers and I were in church hearing the Word and being involved. What an example!
The Lord brought a couple in my life when I was 11 years old, the Sumners. They saw something in me and began to nurture it. They saw the ability to teach and lead. How they saw that in an 11 year old, I do not know! I am grateful for the opportunities of service that they gave me. I was able to teach in their Junior Department at the age of 14 years. Mr. Sumner was not the greatest teacher but he loved God and he loved God's Word. Mrs. Sumner was quiet and in the background but she was a loving wife who served God and her husband with a gentle spirit. I learned much from the two of them. What a legacy of loving God!
As a teen, I was close to my pastor, Bill Coleman. He was a man who had vision. He wanted to serve the Lord and do so in many different ways. He was never in a rut. He showed me that things can change and God can still bless. He was a man who loved God and lived the gospel He was a goal marker and completer. What a joy to see such service!
Through the years I have had many who have left me a legacy to follow. Just recently I lost my colleague and friend, Patrick McGoldrick. He and I spent a lot of time discussing theology and other things. I shared a personal prayer request with him just after he had been diagnosed with ALS. Patrick told me how he would put a penny in his shoe to remind him to pray for someone all day. It was a few weeks later that he came to my office and gave me a piece of paper that said "Penny in the shoe...praying for you." with a penny taped to it. A few weeks later, he brought me another penny. I still have this paper with the two pennies taped to it in my desk drawer. What a legacy to pray for others!
Now I am led by Bob Johnson II as my pastor, colleague and friend. He has show me what is important in life by teaching me that life is all about God. He reminds me as a shepherd that I need to live my life in line with the Word of God. His life is a reflection of the Savior and I am grateful to see it modeled for me. What a privilege to work with this man who is leaving a legacy to so many!
The challenge is to leave a legacy to those behind me! That is my desire and that is my prayer. What an awesome responsibility!
"Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD" Psalm 102:18
"We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done." Psalm 78:4
Friday, May 10, 2013
If...Then...
We are all familiar with if-then statements. We say them all the time. Some of those statements are very useful, others are superstitious and others are truth.
If-then statements can really be useful in parenting. These can make it clear to a child what is expected and what the outcome will be if they are not obedient. All questions are answered if things are made clear to children. For instance, "If you do not clean your room, then you cannot go to your friend's house." or "If you choose to be disrespectful in your tone, then you will be cleaning the bathroom tile with a toothbrush.". This makes it clear the choice is the child's to be obedient. Of course, these statements can be used to give rewards as well. These types of if-then statements are useful.
If-then statements can be superstitious. There are many that you have heard. The one that seems to actually come true so often is, "If I wash my car, then it will rain.". Two weeks ago Ronn and I washed the car and it was raining before nightfall. I remember last summer my neighbor came out of his house and yelled at me because I was washing the car. He yelled, "Hey, I don't want it to rain! Stop washing your car!". It rained the next day. :) Of course, this doesn't always happen. It is a fun if-then statement. We certainly don't want to embrace this statement and never wash our car!
The truth is this that our God is not an if-then God. We cannot manipulate Him into doing what we want by saying, "If I promise to do this for you God, then will you get me out of this situation?". That is not the way God operates. He works in His way and in His time. He does not work for us, we work for Him. Our desires will not be fulfilled by God because we bargain with Him. Who are we to bargain with God? We need to take time and remember who God is.
"For I the LORD do not change;..." Malachi 3:6a
"...I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." Isaiah 46:10b
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are you ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
The if-then statements we need to live by are: "If I yield my will to God's then He will bring about spiritual maturity in me." "If I face trials then God will give me the grace to handle them." "If I face trouble then I will be comforted in Christ." There are many, many more which reveal to us the promises of God.
So wash your car and live your life for the glory of God even though you may get wet.
If-then statements can really be useful in parenting. These can make it clear to a child what is expected and what the outcome will be if they are not obedient. All questions are answered if things are made clear to children. For instance, "If you do not clean your room, then you cannot go to your friend's house." or "If you choose to be disrespectful in your tone, then you will be cleaning the bathroom tile with a toothbrush.". This makes it clear the choice is the child's to be obedient. Of course, these statements can be used to give rewards as well. These types of if-then statements are useful.
If-then statements can be superstitious. There are many that you have heard. The one that seems to actually come true so often is, "If I wash my car, then it will rain.". Two weeks ago Ronn and I washed the car and it was raining before nightfall. I remember last summer my neighbor came out of his house and yelled at me because I was washing the car. He yelled, "Hey, I don't want it to rain! Stop washing your car!". It rained the next day. :) Of course, this doesn't always happen. It is a fun if-then statement. We certainly don't want to embrace this statement and never wash our car!
The truth is this that our God is not an if-then God. We cannot manipulate Him into doing what we want by saying, "If I promise to do this for you God, then will you get me out of this situation?". That is not the way God operates. He works in His way and in His time. He does not work for us, we work for Him. Our desires will not be fulfilled by God because we bargain with Him. Who are we to bargain with God? We need to take time and remember who God is.
"For I the LORD do not change;..." Malachi 3:6a
"...I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." Isaiah 46:10b
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are you ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
The if-then statements we need to live by are: "If I yield my will to God's then He will bring about spiritual maturity in me." "If I face trials then God will give me the grace to handle them." "If I face trouble then I will be comforted in Christ." There are many, many more which reveal to us the promises of God.
So wash your car and live your life for the glory of God even though you may get wet.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
IF IT IS POSSIBLE
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18
Last night as I taught a class at church on relationship with difficult people, I was struck by the relationship of Jesus and Judas. Jesus who is our perfect example. The example that we are to follow as Followers of Christ. The One we are to imitate. In John 13, Jesus takes the time to wash every disciple's feet. We are told in this passage that He knew that Judas was going to betray Him. He knew that His time had come. He knew that it would be that evening.
As we were going through these verses, the reality of this hit me very hard. Jesus washed the dirty feet of His betrayer, a thief and a liar. Judas was never a true follower of Christ at all. Jesus knew that and yet He treated him just like He did the rest of the disciples who followed Him. I guess I was picturing myself on the floor washing the dirty feet of someone who has told lies about me, who has tried to turn others against me and who has broken close relationships. At that moment, I could not see myself on the floor but I knew I should be there. How humiliating! Would God really want me to humble myself to that point?
Of course, He would. Jesus did it. I am to learn from Him. Fear begins to creep up in me as I think, "what if the response to me is not good?". Well, that's where Romans 12:18 comes in. Because as you read at the beginning of this post, "If it is possible..." It is not always possible to have peace because the other person may not respond in a manner that promotes peace. However I am responsible for me not the other person's response. So I have a job to do. I need to go as far as I can for peace. I need to look like Jesus, my Savior.
I may get hurt. I may win a friend. I may look stupid. I may look like Jesus. I may be fearful. I may have courage in the Lord. All of this is speculation that will get me nowhere. Jesus calls me to serve. He calls me to be like Him. He calls me to obedience. "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:15 And He did much more for me than wash my feet...He died for me taking my punishment for my sin. He took my place. So...what's my problem?
Last night as I taught a class at church on relationship with difficult people, I was struck by the relationship of Jesus and Judas. Jesus who is our perfect example. The example that we are to follow as Followers of Christ. The One we are to imitate. In John 13, Jesus takes the time to wash every disciple's feet. We are told in this passage that He knew that Judas was going to betray Him. He knew that His time had come. He knew that it would be that evening.
As we were going through these verses, the reality of this hit me very hard. Jesus washed the dirty feet of His betrayer, a thief and a liar. Judas was never a true follower of Christ at all. Jesus knew that and yet He treated him just like He did the rest of the disciples who followed Him. I guess I was picturing myself on the floor washing the dirty feet of someone who has told lies about me, who has tried to turn others against me and who has broken close relationships. At that moment, I could not see myself on the floor but I knew I should be there. How humiliating! Would God really want me to humble myself to that point?
Of course, He would. Jesus did it. I am to learn from Him. Fear begins to creep up in me as I think, "what if the response to me is not good?". Well, that's where Romans 12:18 comes in. Because as you read at the beginning of this post, "If it is possible..." It is not always possible to have peace because the other person may not respond in a manner that promotes peace. However I am responsible for me not the other person's response. So I have a job to do. I need to go as far as I can for peace. I need to look like Jesus, my Savior.
I may get hurt. I may win a friend. I may look stupid. I may look like Jesus. I may be fearful. I may have courage in the Lord. All of this is speculation that will get me nowhere. Jesus calls me to serve. He calls me to be like Him. He calls me to obedience. "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:15 And He did much more for me than wash my feet...He died for me taking my punishment for my sin. He took my place. So...what's my problem?
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Remember
"Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." Isaiah 46:8-10
Have you ever thought about how quickly you forget something, even something important? Someone tells you something and you are sure you will remember but a distraction comes and the thought is gone. We are so easily distracted by things that do not matter. We are even distracted when we pray. Our minds begin to wander around here and there and everywhere! Why can't we stay focused for one moment?
It reminds me of Jesus when he went to pray in the garden and he asked his three closest disciples to stay awake and pray. Every time he returned they were asleep. I am sure that they didn't mean to go to sleep. It was late and as they closed their eyes to pray, the next thing they knew they were snoring. How disappointed Jesus was!
God through Isaiah proclaims the words above to remind us to remember Him. Although this is written to His people Israel, there is much that we can take away from it. Are we rebels? You bet! Do we need to remember all of the things that God has done? Absolutely! Do we need to preach to ourselves that there is one God and no other? Yes! Do we need to remember that God's purpose and His will is what is going to take place regardless of our rebellion? A resounding yes!
God does as He pleases. I wonder if I can remember that when life gets hard. I better because even the hard life is all about God and what He is going to accomplish. The real test is whether I can remember God when life is going great! It is those times when God is not in the forefront of my mind because after all...life is good! But without thinking of God and who He is and what He is accomplishing, is life really good??
So I need to "fix it in my mind and take it to heart"...God. That is the memory worth the effort to remember.
Have you ever thought about how quickly you forget something, even something important? Someone tells you something and you are sure you will remember but a distraction comes and the thought is gone. We are so easily distracted by things that do not matter. We are even distracted when we pray. Our minds begin to wander around here and there and everywhere! Why can't we stay focused for one moment?
It reminds me of Jesus when he went to pray in the garden and he asked his three closest disciples to stay awake and pray. Every time he returned they were asleep. I am sure that they didn't mean to go to sleep. It was late and as they closed their eyes to pray, the next thing they knew they were snoring. How disappointed Jesus was!
God through Isaiah proclaims the words above to remind us to remember Him. Although this is written to His people Israel, there is much that we can take away from it. Are we rebels? You bet! Do we need to remember all of the things that God has done? Absolutely! Do we need to preach to ourselves that there is one God and no other? Yes! Do we need to remember that God's purpose and His will is what is going to take place regardless of our rebellion? A resounding yes!
God does as He pleases. I wonder if I can remember that when life gets hard. I better because even the hard life is all about God and what He is going to accomplish. The real test is whether I can remember God when life is going great! It is those times when God is not in the forefront of my mind because after all...life is good! But without thinking of God and who He is and what He is accomplishing, is life really good??
So I need to "fix it in my mind and take it to heart"...God. That is the memory worth the effort to remember.
Monday, January 2, 2012
CHANGES TO COME
A new year is here and with it usually come resolutions which hopefully will produce changes in life habits. The number one thing people go after is their weight and to start exercising or to pick up the pace a bit. Everything always sounds so good on paper but by the time February rolls in the resolutions made the first of January have been lost in the shuffle of life. We get back into the old habits of living and stay there without another thought to all of the changes we had in mind. So unless we are diligent they end up being words on paper with no meaning at all.
But God has put His Words on paper so that we can read them, enjoy them, use them and allow them to change our lives. His Words are never just words on paper although we treat them that way when we don't take them to heart and act on what we read. It takes obedience pure and simple. The obedience takes commitment and perseverance. His Words are not words that are to be forgotten by the end of the month. His Words are to be remembered and lived out.
So the resolution for this year is PAY ATTENTION TO GOD AND HIS WORDS. Let's keep it that simple. In order to do that you do have to read the Bible. In order to do that you do need to believe what you read. In order to do that you do need to trust the Holy Spirit to guide you. In order to do that it needs to be about God and not about you.
I'm on board. How about you? Let's not consider 2012 as being the end of the world! Let's consider 2012 our opportunity to look more like Jesus in all we say and do!
But God has put His Words on paper so that we can read them, enjoy them, use them and allow them to change our lives. His Words are never just words on paper although we treat them that way when we don't take them to heart and act on what we read. It takes obedience pure and simple. The obedience takes commitment and perseverance. His Words are not words that are to be forgotten by the end of the month. His Words are to be remembered and lived out.
So the resolution for this year is PAY ATTENTION TO GOD AND HIS WORDS. Let's keep it that simple. In order to do that you do have to read the Bible. In order to do that you do need to believe what you read. In order to do that you do need to trust the Holy Spirit to guide you. In order to do that it needs to be about God and not about you.
I'm on board. How about you? Let's not consider 2012 as being the end of the world! Let's consider 2012 our opportunity to look more like Jesus in all we say and do!
Monday, September 5, 2011
A Leaky Toilet
Last week we received our water bill and it seemed a little high to me. I asked my husband about the leak in the toilet. It was a very small leak which he thought would not make a difference but it did.
So on Friday, while I was at the zoo with the grandkids, he began the process of fixing the leak. He was going to change the inards of the toilet and viola that would be it! I came home Friday to find the toilet upside down in the tub, the tank on the sink top and tools everywhere. It was not good. So we went to Home Depot (the do-it-yourself helper) to find out what should be done. The end of it all was that the pipe had to be cut down to floor level and the ring had to be taken off by using a torch. So it was tabled until Saturday.
We worked together to cut down the pipe and remove the ring. It was then that we discovered that the hole in the floor was too big so tiles had to be removed and then another trip to Home Depot. We had to get another part to make it all work. Then a trip to my daughter's to pick up some thinset to put around the hole after we had the new ring in place with the adapter. I was the thinset spreader. Then we tabled the rest until Sunday.
On Sunday at 5:00 p.m. the toilet was back together with all new parts. It flushes wonderfully with no leaks. But it was a long 3 days.
That is the way life is. It is for the long haul. It takes time to be who we need to be to others but time well worth it. We are not to have any leaks in our relationships. They are to be whole and true with Christ at the center. Sometimes there may be heat as we speak gentle confrontations to one another. Sometimes there may need to be thinset applied to pull it all together. In the end we are to obey the command left us by Christ..."Love One Another"...and that is for this life and the life to come.
So on Friday, while I was at the zoo with the grandkids, he began the process of fixing the leak. He was going to change the inards of the toilet and viola that would be it! I came home Friday to find the toilet upside down in the tub, the tank on the sink top and tools everywhere. It was not good. So we went to Home Depot (the do-it-yourself helper) to find out what should be done. The end of it all was that the pipe had to be cut down to floor level and the ring had to be taken off by using a torch. So it was tabled until Saturday.
We worked together to cut down the pipe and remove the ring. It was then that we discovered that the hole in the floor was too big so tiles had to be removed and then another trip to Home Depot. We had to get another part to make it all work. Then a trip to my daughter's to pick up some thinset to put around the hole after we had the new ring in place with the adapter. I was the thinset spreader. Then we tabled the rest until Sunday.
On Sunday at 5:00 p.m. the toilet was back together with all new parts. It flushes wonderfully with no leaks. But it was a long 3 days.
That is the way life is. It is for the long haul. It takes time to be who we need to be to others but time well worth it. We are not to have any leaks in our relationships. They are to be whole and true with Christ at the center. Sometimes there may be heat as we speak gentle confrontations to one another. Sometimes there may need to be thinset applied to pull it all together. In the end we are to obey the command left us by Christ..."Love One Another"...and that is for this life and the life to come.
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