There are times when it feels like there is no rest. When the deepest longing within you is for a little time to repose, it is not to be. Life's circumstances can overwhelm, there is no doubt. What is our reaction to be under this influence?

I received a call at the end of yesterday's work hours from Deanna. She was parked at our home, having just arrived. She could not get her garage door opener to do it's thing. I told her I would be right there.

I closed down the project I was working on, and was off. As you might imagine, traffic was a snarl. I live a mile or so from my office, and traffic was at a standstill. That does not seem possible.

I arrived, sure of my ability to right the wrongs of her remote.

I was wrong, it wasn't to be righted.

My remote would not work either. We keyed into the front door, and flipped the switch. Nothing.

We moved in 4 days ago, I don't think we've had time to miss a payment. Our neighbors clearly had electricity, so the grid was not down. I called a friend to look up the number, as the previous owners of our home took the phone books with them.

I called the Power Company and told them of our situation. After a long experience "on hold," the voice returned to the phone, most apologetic. He insisted they would get someone out to turn the power back on that same night.

Deanna went off to her Bible study at church, and I huddled by the fireplace with all the flame our gas excuse could muster. I had to light some candles as this was not enough light...or heat.

After a period of hours, I heard someone clanking about in my backyard, and saw the stray light beam rush across my wall through a nearby window. Help, at last! I went outside to thank him. From his response, I think he thought I missed a payment.

Celebrating electricity, I went to the kitchen and put on a pot of strong coffee...just the way I like it. Suddenly, I heard a rather uninvited harsh spraying sound. You know when your outside with your garden hose on full blast, and you try to put your finger into the stream, all the way up to the nozzle? That is the sound.

I turned to the sink and saw nothing. Where could this be coming from?

I opened the cabinet doors under the sink and saw a water party happening. Without any drip or warning, a fitting had decided to let go of its responsibility. It had already engulfed the contents of cleansers and paper towels held within.

I quickly cleared this debris and fought with the shut-off valves. They fought back. They liked being open.

After struggling with them, I gained the upper hand...or so I thought. Great! Valves that won't close completely. I was able to slow it down to a steady drip. I grabbed towels from as yet unpacked boxes, and pressed them into service.

I would have to repeat this several times before morning, and one final time before heading to work. I went to take a shower just before heading to the office.

Here in the south or west or southwest, whatever this area is considered, bathrooms are equipped with vents in the ceiling that are also heaters. Deanna likes these, as they add the little bit of extra warmth she enjoys, to take off a cold nights chill.

When I entered the bathroom, I smelled that bad smell. The unpleasant aroma of plastic and wires melting or something. I turned on the vent fan to exhaust the forthcoming hot water steam. Nothing. It did not make a noise. It did not leap into action.

Perhaps it just overheated from previous use. Perhaps it will work again later.

There is a movie from the 80's I never watched called "The Money Pit." I am hopeful that we did not just buy it.

I am not a "Mr. Fix It." I'm pretty much the guy who hands tools to the guy who knows what he is doing.

I am a prayer...I mean, what I cannot fix, I can pray over. So I have been. I know the Lord will guide me to the right people to assist me in this.

Guess what?

The vent fan came back on.

I'll keep on praying. I refuse to let the enemy have victory in this situation. He is not going to steal my joy over what the Lord has provided for us. I do wish he wasn't so persistent.

Sometimes you just want to rest. My rest is in the Lord. My hope is in the Lord. My life is the Lord's. I'll press on.

dad