If you grew up going to Sunday School, chances are that you remember the Parable of the Two Builders. If not, may I recommend reading Matthew 7:24-27? For a quick recap, Jesus tells a story about two men. The Wise Man built his house on the rock and the Foolish Man built his house on the sand. When the rain and storms came, guess whose house stood firm? That's right - the Wise Man's. Jesus said that, "Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand."
Well, I am a Foolish Girl.
Last Thursday our neighborhood irrigation system came on. I noticed a slight problem at 12:45 when there was a small puddle in my backyard. Unfortunately, a main water valve in our backyard neighbor's sprinkler system was broken. At least, that is what I am assuming, since water was literally gushing out of his valve box a foot high! And guess which way his yard drained? You guessed it - into our backyard.
Did I trust God? Did I even take a moment to pray about what to do? Was I wise?
Unfortunately, the answer to all the above questions is "no".
I panicked. I called my poor husband at work (what was he supposed to do?).
I called the home owners' association (HOA) (they couldn't come into a person's backyard un-invited).
However, they could try to contact the homeowner if I gave them the neighbor's address.
I didn't know what that was! I look at their back door. I would now have to drive down the long block and back up the other street. (at the time it seemed like a huge inconvenience....)
Of course the neighbor wasn't home, but I jotted down the house address. The HOA said they would try tracking down the homeowner.
By now it was almost 1:30 and the water was still saturating my backyard - I was now the owner of two newly formed small ponds. Besides being worried about the rising water level reaching our house's foundation, I had an 8-year-old birthday party the next day. I needed a dry backyard! It was all RUINED!!!!
To wrap up quickly: The water got turned off a little before 3:00 (before the owner even arrived). Miraculously, the yard dried out by the next afternoon and the birthday party was saved.
I was thankful my house and the birthday party were saved.
I was ashamed at how I handled it.
Where was my trust in God? Did I not remember all the times God has done great things in my life? Could HE not control irrigation water? Could HE not dry up my backyard in time for the party? In the midst of a (small) flood, I was foolish.
Fortunately, God is Good - All the time... whether I deserve it or not.
Thanks be to God for his love, mercy, and faithfulness to this foolish little girl.