...Of Every Opportunity

This story starts last winter during the freeze when a pipe broke and
caused water damage in our garage ceiling and wall. We had no idea
how extensive the damage was, so we called the insurance company.

They referred us to STOP (Service Team Of Professionals) Disaster
Restoration Services. Eric Blackburn and his partners came and
assessed the damage. They explained everything well. The damage
wasn't that severe. We talked for a while. They told us about other
clients they had who were in hotels for the holidays because of pipes
bursting over their kitchen or over their natural gas furnaces. One
of their clients was an assisted living facility. elderly folk were
crowded together in the undamaged section of the building!

They left some high-power fans and promised to come back the next
morning. Kristen and I looked at each other and said, "why? This
damage is minimal, and it is only impacting our garage. Go help
those other people! Get to us when you can!"

They thought we were joking. Seemed only logical to us--as it would
to any of you--but it turns out they had never had a client who had
said something like that. Consequently, when they did come back,
they wanted to know about our church. They asked lots of questions. They
also opened up about their perspectives on God, church, Christians.
It was an honor to listen.

When all was said and done they gave us a really good deal to thank
us for our patience which allowed them to get to the real disasters
first. I wrote them cards on church stationary inviting them to our
Alpha Course. I never heard back, but I knew we had put in a good
word for God to some guys who had some bad church experiences in
their past

Which brings me to this morning.

Ready to drop Mary-Adele off at school and head to the Chamber of
Commerce Breakfast, I met Kristen in the upstairs hallway to say
goodbye. That is when she noticed that the washing machine had been
overflowing for about fifteen minutes. "GO!" She said. "Get the
kids to school; I know where the Shopvac is."

We ran downstairs and endured a waterfall in the garage on our way to
the van.

All day I struggled with the timing, and all I have to do, and how
this is distracting me from the tasks of ministry!

Once again, I called the guys at STOP. This time I wanted to know if
they could simply reassure me that fans would do the trick. Eric
insisted on letting me use a couple of fans and a big dehumidifier
for a couple of days at a ridiculously low price.

We caught up. They have moved to Sherwood--walking distance from our
house! Said they think of us often when they pass our street on the
way to their office in Wilsonville.

When we had a moment, I told him about our plans for October 24th--
how we are asking our friends to come "just once to check us out" that
Sunday. He said, "my job is 24/7 so I am not into long term
commitments; but I think I can do one Sunday." "That's all I'm
asking for," I assured him.

Tonight when Eric's partner Jeffrey came by with the equipment, there
was a woman with him. Turns out she is Eric's wife, April. We had a
good talk. Just as I was about to bring up my invitation to
Experience Sunday, she said, "Eric told me you invited us to church
on the 24th and we are really going to try to come. My parents will
have the boys that weekend, but I am going to talk to them about dropping
them off early so they can come to. I've been telling Eric that now
that we are settling in to a house I really want to find a
church...."

All day I had felt "off my game" and frustrated with the tasks--
important as they are--that were left undone. And all along, God was
using our washing machine to put us back in touch with Eric Blackburn
and introduce us to his wife.

It calls to mind Ephesians 5:15-17: "Be very careful, then, how you
live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but
understand what the Lord's will is."

Can't wait to see what God has in store for the repairman from Walt's
Appliances. He'll be here Thursday morning to look at the washer....