299. The Lord Provides...

The joys of home ownership include sudden breakdowns of parts and/or equipment. It's a given. It happens and we can stamp our feet, but there is nothing that can be done, so might as well grin and bear it. A friend told me, to re-emphasize what I've said so many times: "You'll see, the Lord always provides." and He does!

I had been having problems with my water supply off and on, for no rhyme or reason for about 8 months. The supply would mysteriously shut off through the whole house, and equally mysteriously come back on 15-20 minutes later, but I didn't particularly worry about it because it always came back on. Yesterday, however, it cut out at (let's say) 9 AM (as I forgot the exact time), and it stayed off. Time to call the plumber. Fortunately, I needed plumbers on another occasion so now I know one who does not overcharge.

So I called him and he came out and looked at this or that, under the house (I'm in a manufactured house) and the pipes are easy to get at. Before long he found a possible problem. There is a "check valve" which wasn't behaving right. A check valve is a brass shaft with a spring-loaded gadget to prevent the water from going back into the fresh water pipe. When he removed it, we had found the problem. That valve was completely corroded and had all sorts of gunk in it. Once replaced, the system was fine. That was $111 later.

This morning, the fridge fell silent and would cool no more. I suspect it was out all night. Whatever was in it was spoiled and needed repair. Someone recommended a good repair service, they found that the starter unit needed replacing. Once replaced, everything was fine again. $179 cash on the barrelhead. Ouch!

Then I added up these two sums and saw the stimulus check ($300). I paid no income taxes for 2007, so I got only $300... seems odd that the people on social security who can least afford all these cost increases get less than the rest of them ... that's typical government! But nonetheless, Our Lord provided ... the $300 check I received Friday, covers both repairs. Thank you, Lord!!!

Of course now comes the Annual Homeowners Insurance Policy - over $1000 this year. Ouch! It's always something, but our Social Security doesn't go up! That's what's known as living on a Fixed income. Very hard, at times.

Whoever thinks that retired folks are rich, think again! I am rich in God's Grace but not financially. Then I get a constant barrage of charity calls, people asking for handouts which I have to turn down now. May He continue to provide for all of us.

I went to lunch to a local diner as everything in the fridge had to be thrown out, and overheard one gentlemen talking about the Armed Services in Europe and Iraq. He was a Veteran, so of course I asked him where he had served, and revealed that I am a Vet, too. I was in the US Army in Germany in the early 1960's for three years - during the time of the Berlin Crisis, 1958-1962. This gentleman I was talking to at the diner thanked me for my service to the Nation. That has never happened to me. It made me feel very good and I mentioned that I hope the Vets and currently serving men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan be allowed to go home soon. I don't think this war can be won anymore and the price tag of the war we can no longer afford. Recent reports that an increase of  50% show signs of psychological trauma (PTSD - post-traumatic stress disorder) for 2007. That is an "unseen killer." This war is costing our young men and women dearly.  Let us pray for peace on earth!

Fred Schaeffer, SFO
09/24/2008

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