It is the morning of Christmas Eve and I am upstairs at the computer listening to the plumbers put in a new water heater.

Last night as we headed downstairs to sit by the tree with the fireplace going, I heard a noise in the basement.

We went down to see LOTS of water coming from the old water heater.

UGH!

At Easter, 2 hours before many people were coming for dinner, the garbage disposal backed up into the sink.

UGH!

Is there some kind of message here?

Even a God Message?

TRUST ME, I do NOT think that God made either of these things happen but I do think I can find a God Message in these things when they happen.

Because when they happen, I want to 'grinch' but as soon as that 'grinch' starts to peak out, I am reminded of the very fact that I HAVE a tree and fireplace to go down to which led me to hearing the water heater that I have that heats my water just like at Easter I knew that I had a disposal and a sink to back up when I pealed my potatoes into them.

Now, that doesn't mean that I LIKE to have these things happen cuz' I don't ....they are an inconvenience BUT that is ALL they are.

I think maybe that is the God Message that rises for me....sometimes, I am INconvenienced because I have TOO many conveniences.

I am pretty sure there are tons of people who would be pleased to be inconvenienced as I am today.

AND the very fact that it happened on Easter and is happening on Christmas, brings me to the meaning of both of those days for me.

God came to us those days.  Came right down here WITH us and said nothing about water heaters.  He said be kind to each other, share with each other, respect each other, don't hurt each other, love each other. Thank the guys that are down in your basement on Christmas Eve fixing your convenience.

In other words, pay attention to what matters.

So, that is MY God Message:  PLEASE, at the very least, Cheryl, USE this to remind you of those who are not convenienced  enough to be inconvenienced and maybe even be a little embarrassed and certainly HUMBLED by the too many conveniences you have to inconvenience you.

THAT is a mouthful, I know.

Now, I just need to move it from my mouth to my heart and live it.

Thank you, God, for my inconvenient CHRISTmas!