"Should the toilet be bubbling?"

Unfortunately, this is not a joke. It is an actual quote from my 9 year old son, Tommy, yesterday.

Okay, I am real with the fact that we have plumbing issues that date back way before we bought this house. On a good day, the toilet will flush. On a bad day, well.... Lord, please give me more patience.  And help me not to swear. Too much.  At least in front of the kids.

When I mention to people that we are challenged pipes-wise because we live in an unincorporated section of town that still has wells and septic fields, I always get the same look.  It's as if I just mentioned that my name is Ellie-May and asked them if they would like to swim in our "ceeeement" pond (aka swimming pool. You remember the Beverly Hillbillies, right?).  Anyway, that's the look. Then the questions: "How do you get the water inside the house?"  "Do you have a water bill?"  "Where does the hmmm-ummm waste go?"

I can't blame them. I grew up with city sewers and plumbing that we actually didn't need to think about, most of the time.

Tommy's question almost made me laugh, since it was asked with such a serious face. But then it made me think about how much of our lives is unplanned, unexpected, and unprepared for. I know I just ended with a preposition (*I refer you to my first blog "You should know I'm crazy," for explanation). Remember John Lennon's quote "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

Being a list-maker is in my blood. My mother did it, and I remember her lists all over the house.  Lists for groceries, things to do today, what to bring to the doctor, etc. So I learned from the best. Even my best list, however, cannot foresee what will happen to me today.  Only God knows that, and He's prepared to help me with it. Nothing is a surprise to Him and He knows the end from the beginning. Truly "Our God is an awesome God"!

Me? Not so all-knowing and certainly not so awesome. So things, people, and events still surprise me, catch me unaware and throw me for a loop.  Like the toilet bubbling. It's just one more thing to do today (actually I'll have Andy, my husband look at it :) ), and one more thing to give over to God.  Remember He said to cast ALL our care on Him.  Our children, our futures, our flaws, frailties, and complications.  And yes, even our bubbling toilets.

And yes, as far as I can tell right now, all the plumbing is in working order today.  Thank you Andy. And for being there, always, to cast my cares on, thank you Lord.