He Cares for the Sparrow, the Orphan and the Widow

 

My alarm went off this morning on my cell and there it was, the Bible verse of the day staring at me on my Bible App.   Ah, this verse, it described yesterday to a tee. 

 

For I hold you by your right hand—
    I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
    ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.

 Isaiah 41:13 

 

Yesterday’s surprise threw me a curveball.  I got home from my workout about mid-morning.  I drove up to the driveway and discovered what looked like a geyser shooting up on my property.  I guess a low of 19 freezing degrees can easily burst an outside faucet.  Panic began to grip me and choke me as I inspected the overflow but at the same time I noticed very thirsty sparrows lapping up moisture and having a good time in my dilemma.  I can’t blame them.  Their bird bath is frozen.  I hated to put an end to their excitement in this super fluent water park, but I had to think fast.  I was unable to stop this flow and my shoes were cold while I sank deeper in the wet soil.  I paused and took a deep breath until I could calm down and think in the midst of the fountain blast.  I remember being told the outdoor faucet on the other side of my property had a shut off valve that regulated both faucets.  That solved the problem!  But my little furry friends’ lost their entertainment.   Now where will they drink?  Where will they fly gleefully over an abundant water source and practice their backstroke moves?

I called my friend, Kim, right away.  She’s my go-to source these days having endured times like this in her own life with twice as many years of widowhood problem-solving behind her.

Kim gave me a list of plumber’s phone numbers she felt safe to recommend.  I began my search not knowing any of them.  They responded:  “I’m overloaded with work,” or worse, I got voicemail greetings which allowed me to leave a message telling these plumbers my tale of woe after my great workout this morning!

 

What’s a Girl to do?

 

I’ll tell you what I did.  I got into my prayer closet and prayed to my Lord, Jehovah Jira, my provider, my husband. 

I belong to a private neighborhood on line chat and they recommended a freelance guy who is fair and friendly.  When he answered my call on the first ring and heard my sob story, he shouted “You have a mess on your hands, lady.”  

Justin just finished a job in the mountains and was en route to my part of town!  He promised to arrive in twenty minutes!

 

Great Things Happen When You Pray

 

After friendly Justin hoisted a new insulated faucet pipe and installed a new hose bib, I called Kim.  “Justin?  Do you mean like just in time?  Just in answer to prayer?”  She’s funny.  It felt good to laugh. Justin was going to be her next suggestion.  We agreed he is going on our widow's list of names to call. 

But that’s not all.  A few hours later, I decided to wash a few dishes which had accumulated in the kitchen sink.  That’s when I discovered very low water pressure.  Oh, no; now my well needed attention.  But this time I started with my prayer husband.

None of the on line articles I read seemed to fit my situation.  But then I saw a video that explained my problem and I memorized the way the You Tuber technician moved a similar lever I’ve seen at my well. When I held it in the direction he suggested, the well pump kicked into gear and my pressure gauge rose!  It felt like Christmas Day hearing the roaring pressure kick in like that.  

So, again, I refer to this morning’s Scripture verse in Isaiah which points to a faithful God, a powerful Father who loves His children, especially vulnerable widows. 

I noticed a funny thing on my property today as I peered out the window to check my newly repaired hose bib.   It became a gathering place for some sparrows, probably the leaders of the pack in my yard.  They remembered it supplied them water and just maybe if they hang around, they’ll get another drink.  That would be a disaster! 

I’m not sorry all this drama happened.  With each and every challenge, I learn to trust more deeply and become more of the confident woman I long to be.  That’s how I fight my battles and how I relate to Isaiah 41:13.