(Lord, what do you have for me to learn inside this experience?)
I took time out of my busy computer business schedule to replace a grounding cable in my Honda Element.
I’ve been having issues with the dash lights, the gear-shifter, and some transmission performance, and a friend of mine mentioned to me that he had success when he had his electrical system properly grounded. I checked under the hood a few days later, and sure enough, the main grounding wire from the battery to the engine was completely disconnected because of corrosion.
Ordered the part online, waited a week for it to come, and installed it today. Simple part, three connections, one hard to get to.
I scratched my arm on the air hose clamp, and loosened and rotated the clamp to get it out of the way so I wouldn’t draw any more blood.
Had some frustration when I dropped the wrench with the bolt I needed, had to get on my knees a couple of times to find it and rescue it from the bottom of the engine compartment.
Then dropped the bolt again to an impossible place to reach. I stopped, saw in my mind’s eye an extendable tool with a magnet (in my mind), and went inside and made one with a long springy-grabber-tool and a magnet from the fridge. This took about 2 minutes, and it worked on the first attempt.
I prayed throughout the entire experience, as I converse with the Lord frequently, but was mostly asking for help. All said and done, this repair took me about 45 minutes.
I showed my wife the bad part, and she asked me, “So what did that fix?”… a truly amazing question, because to my knowledge, it didn’t fix anything. The same symptoms still exist, but now I know one thing that is NOT causing the problem. I can only assume that the designer of the car had a purpose for that part, and in trust of his/her design, I fixed something I found wrong.
I thanked the Lord for his help, [because I COULD still be out there!], and rather than complaining, asked Him what He had in the experience for me. I am truly grateful.
Let’s unpack this:
- Listen: be aware when others tell you what helped them.
- Self-examine: be humble enough to see if you have the same issue.
- Wait: Don’t freak out and pay more than you have to, in time, money, frustration–often, these things are NOT an emergency, and just because you find an issue, doesn’t mean that it has to be fixed RIGHT NOW. I waited a week through rain for the package, and then installed it on a sunny day!
- Bleed: Be willing to do what it takes, but don’t bleed twice! Adjust your environment so you don’t keep hurting yourself.
- Persevere: You will falter. Ask for help. Get on your knees a couple of times, then get back up and “geterdun”.
- Do it Anyway: If you see something that’s not right in your life, body, environment–fix it. Even if there are no symptoms. You’ll save yourself trouble “down the road.”
If you need some backup, here you go:
- Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
- Colossians 1:11-12 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
- Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
- Revelation 3:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
- Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
- James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
- Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
- John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
- Luke 21:19 Stand firm, and you will win life.