What a day! A “sacrifice of thanksgiving” day!

Woke up to 0 degree temperatures, and we were out of propane for our heater and water heater--chance number 1 to offer thanks.

The propane guy came at 8:30, filled the tank, but none of our appliances would light--chance number 2.

A renter called, his furnace was not working and I had to go deal with that without solving my own problem--chance number 3.

Home to call a repairman for the renter’s furnace. Several calls, no help-chance number 4

Repairman came for my propane appliances. Still not lighting. He fiddled around and finally got two lit and left. I went to light the gas water heater, but the lighter no longer functioned and the compartment was sealed, so couldn’t use alternative lighting method--chance number 5.

Finally got ahold of a repair guy for the neighbor. When he came, he said the problem was frozen pipes. How to fix that?--chance number 6.

I did ask him to help me light my water heater and he did! Although he couldn’t get it back together--chance number 7.

Ran a big heater in the renter’s cellar and heated it up, pipes unfroze, but furnace still didn’t work!--chance number 8.

Called the repair guy again. The secretary said the boss would call me. Shortly thereafter the boss called but after 2 seconds my phone’s battery died! --chance number 9.

Then the rest of the verse began to kick in: “he who offers the sacrifice…opens the way that I may show him the salvation of the Lord.”

Went home, put the phone on charge and called again, the boss called back and said he’d be right down.

But just at that minute I had a zoom call scheduled--chance number 10--but the caller was willing to wait a few minutes.

Got back to the renter’s to meet the boss and he got all adjusted and the furnace is working fine! As are all my propane appliances.

Then back home to complete my zoom call and the caller was willing to give me my full hour even though we started late.

In one sense it was a day wasted, but in the true sense it was a great, productive day, for I had 10 frustrating, great opportunities to honor God before all the spiritual forces and some people. That is the most I could do. This is the purpose of my life!

Praise God for Psalm 50:23! which makes life much better: “He who offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me and opens the way that I may show him the salvation of the Lord.