Monday was supposed to be a great day. We were entering the final stretch after weeks of dealing with the mitigation and reconstruction following the water damage under our kitchen sink. The flooring crew arrived early, moved the fridge and stove out of the kitchen into the living room and began ripping up the old flooring. The superintendent showed up with the new flooring. All that was going to be left after this was a little bit of painting and we were home free!
Didn’t happen. When the old flooring was ripped up, more damage and mold was discovered under the fridge. So, they moved my kitchen table into the living room, moved the fridge where the kitchen table resided and re-set the stove. Then they left leaving me to deal with the insurance company – was this something that could be added to the old claim or was it something that would require a new claim to be investigated (with another deductible). As it turned out, it was neither, everything will be out of our pockets.
We have been dealing with this since April 29. It’s June 21 and it still isn’t settled. Life is taking its toll on my living! But nothing like the toll life is taking in the living of our friend and his family. “It’s back” is a terrible message after eight years cancer free. “This time we need to be more aggressive in treatment” is what he’s going to be walking through in the months ahead.
Our problems are minimal, I’m sure whatever happens God will provide for us to handle this financially – even if it means I go back to a secular job for a time. I’m also sure that “It’s back” did not take God by surprise either and He will provide the support, the love, the comfort our friends need as they walk through this difficult time.
Those words first spoken to Israel, then repeated to Joshua, and referred to again in the Book of Hebrews are often quoted, but it is at times like this that they become more than words … they become our very lifeline. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Deut 31:6; Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5-6]
