Dishes On The Counter

Philippians 3:13,14  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!
 
    This week was very busy at our home.  My wife continued her recovery and I worked on home improvements.  Most days I was starting at around 6:30 am and finishing well after dark.   The focus has been on running 90 ft. of 3/4 inch gas pipe so that we can hook up our new tankless hot water heater.  Oh, the thought of endless hot water is driving me to work like a leprechaun looking for gold.  Anyway, I digress.

I dreamed that this was my lunch!

    So, before you give up reading and thinking that you made your way to another home improvement blog, I do have a point.
    As I was diligently working, I asked Cecelia if she could heat me up some soup for lunch.  She happily agreed.  Not only does she love me, but it was her small contribution to endless hot water in her jacuzzi tub.

    About a half hour later, she called me to come in because my soup was ready.  I went inside for a short break and devoured the Lobster Bisque she had prepared for me.  Who says you have to have only Chicken Noodle?  Anyway, after finishing I got distracted and walked back out to work on my project.  Being the Attention Deficit person that I am, I had inadvertently left my bowl unwashed on the counter in the kitchen.  Unbeknownst to me, this gesture would come back to me later in the day.
    I continued to work very hard and finished my gas line just before dinner.  I was happy that I accomplished my goal for the day and could come in out of the cold.

The Never Ending House

    After dinner I sat down with Cecelia to watch some television.  I could tell that something was bothering her, but she wasn't ready to talk about it yet.  We went to bed about an hour later and I asked her again what was bothering her.  In the end, the issue revolved around leaving my soup bowl on the counter and not being a very good listener.  (What, me not being a good listener while I am in the middle of a project.  Listening is my best character trait.  YEAH RIGHT!!!)         My first reaction was to get upset and bring up that I felt unappreciated and that I was working my butt off.  I felt like I needed to be perfect for her, but one thing she said really hit home.  She said, that it wasn't really about leaving the soup bowl on the counter, but that she has been struggling with the girls doing the same thing and that I need to be an example to help her out.  Her comment took the wind right out of my unappreciated sail boat.  I told her that I would try and do better, but it isn't enough to say it, I must do it.

The Man at Work

    The next day while I was having my quiet time, I started thinking about our conversation the night before.  It brought to mind, that as a Christian it is my job to work hard to represent Christ.  Even though perfection is unattainable, I can still strive toward getting as close as possible.  It isn't enough to tell him we are going to do better, but to live our lives as examples and do more.  So, my challenge to you this week is to do something extraordinary.  It can be as simple as buying someone a cup of coffee or feeding the homeless once a month.  Whatever you do, remember Christ will appreciate it.
    By the way, my wife did notice that the next day I rinsed off my dishes and put them in the dishwasher.  She did also tell me how much she appreciated how hard I work.
    MAN, ISN'T IT GREAT THAT WE GET SECOND CHANCES TO MAKE IT RIGHT????!!!

ONE LAST NOTE.  I HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE OF PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO LEAVE COMMENTS.  FEEL FREE TO COMMENT.