Is the Problem a Problem?

Paul was gathering a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer, for though he escaped form the sea, justice had not allowed him to live." But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. Acts 28:3-6

Superstitious beliefs attach themselves to things that happen to us and others. We can't seem to help ourselves with suspicion. Yet, if we go to God, he is setting up either a test, a manifestation of His glory or both.

Today, I am in Brisbane babysitting five grandchildren. I had a hurried information session at which I was told the car keys would be in the car. At the time prescribed I went to the car, belted up the youngest and ... No keys. As I knew how to get to the school, but had no idea of the name of the school, I could not contact my son and his wife, they were on a plane,mi wondered what to do. Fortunately my daughter law had previously given me contact numbers for her best friends I called them, I went to voicemail. Now what? Suddenly one called and I described my plight, she said, "No worries, I will pick them up and bring them to you." Praise God! When she arrived the eldest son wanted to know where his iPod was, ahhhh! The youngest had it earlier but could not remember where it was. 

By this time I had, five children talking at once, a visitor and her daughter standing by watching. When children come home from school they disgorge themselves of all the junk they are carrying home from the week of school. There were bags, craft structures, hungry kids, a cross kid and an non-compliant kid and a tired nanny. Plus, I discovered not only had I no car, I had not been left with my means of getting to the airport. There was an old jallopy outside hooked up to a trailer, which I thought was unin-insured.

The visitor unhooked the trailer for me, my son said it was insured, that problem now solved. Now to find the iPod. I cleared away the rubbish, settled the children, prayed and found the iPod. We had afternoon tea and divided into three and a peaceful evening.

My son and daughter-in-law were very apologetic, but hey, I survived and we had a fun dinner, baths and showers, pyjamas, short movie, stories, prayer and bed. And now Nanny is off for an early night. 

My God was there all along, I am ok and so are the kids. I did some colouring in, pottery, played a few games and whipped the children into action, chores are a must. May I let the glory of the Lord shine through this broken vessel, that is all that counts. Amen!