Broken Pipes

The plumbers left a mess. Really, tho’ in their defense, they cleaned up what they saw…sorry, let’s back up here! And yes, that is exactly what we had, a back up. Super nice plumber dude came and fixed the previous guy’s mistake and everything is working great now.

Today's work crew! ;)

The pipe problem was on the side of the house where the labyrinth is located. They took a look and determined the problem was buried pretty deep, so they dug and they dug and they dug till they got to it. To these very nice gentlemen, the rocks that make up the labyrinth’s paths were just a bunch of rocks on the ground, with no purpose at all….It really is all in what you’re looking for! SO, today’s project was to clean up and set everything back as it was, or as near as I could!

It was slow going at first, half of the rocks were under the dirt and others tossed into a pile, but eventually things worked out. The path is a little different, as one of the plants had to be taken out, so things did get moved around. So like God to remind us that we see a purpose for things, but His purpose and plans for things are far better. What we define and see as a “change”, He had planned as the original purpose all along. We’re the ones who have to be brought along by Him, to seek after Him, to see and trust that “change” is what it is all about.

The whole time I was working I thought about what Jon had said a couple a days ago, right after the plumbers left. He called to tell me everything had been fixed and about the mess left behind and then said, “Life is full of broken pipes, ya know!”. We had a fun chat about the “lesson” in the labyrinth from this experience! And he’s right, life is full of broken things and sometimes we have to dig deep to get to the source of the problem!  We got to the source of the pipe problem, with the help of some pros and in our everyday life, we can’t do it alone either….or shouldn’t anyway. Scripture encourages us and tells us that this life is not one we should walk alone.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:33 ~ NLT

No stepping room here!

In addition to the path repair work from the plumbing, there are some other paths with a few things in the way now, too! Bamboo is popping up everywhere. If you have read a few of these posts, then you know how much I love this bamboo, but even good things are not always the great things that are meant to be.  So, believe it or not, some of this will have to go!

These two are a perfect example. The new trunks push up and move the rocks right out of their way. Sometimes that’s ok, but not always. If the rock is put over the bamboo, like this one here, then it cannot grow in the dark and it dies away. We have THE ROCK who covers every moment in our lives! He allows some things and covers others. Our place is to trust that He is doing just that. Think a minute, just because something is growing in our lives, doesn’t mean it is supposed to thrive…maybe it is just making room for something better!

To all who mourn in Israel,
    he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
    festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
    that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

Isaiah 61:3

Where mourning and despair once had hold, God fills with joy and praise. Those are the “roots” of our righteousness for His glory. Festive praise anchors us in the Joy of the Lord. The Lord plants us. He grows us, fills us for His purpose. Mourning, loss and despair are allowed to hollow us, to clear away and empty our soul to then hold His Joy, and by His Grace, grow to bless those around us…under the Shade of the Oak. (or in our case, bamboo!)

So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!

Romans 8:12-14 ~ The Message

This beauty was hiding on the underside of the sego palm leaf :)

 

   Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.

Romans 8:21 ~ The Message