A Trickle that Leads to a Flood. Sometimes those choices we make without a second thought can have real impact down the road. It pays to recognize that the little things in life can be object lessons to help us see larger things in a different light. A seemingly small decision can change a life in a split second.
2MefromHim Devotionals
A Trickle that Leads to a Flood
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws. Psalm 119:30
Water pouring out from beneath the wall only a few hours before an important doctor’s appointment is not a joyful addition to anyone’s day. Worse still, my husband knew there was a small leak, but assumed the wrong source and thought it could wait. A few phone calls later, he arrived home to take over with towels and the wet-vac. I arrived home to colorful signs of frustration filling the dryer and draped like flags over the back porch railing.
A tiny hole in a copper pipe, insidiously leaking inside the wall for months saturated insulation and drywall until a mini-flood burst forth, water pouring through the wall. A gaping hole revealed mold and mildew from long-term seepage—a stinky, costly mess.
How many times do we fail to deal with matters that fester and grow, finally exploding into an incident that requires immediate intervention to limit the damage and repair the source? Oftentimes a problem fails to appear critical at first. Like the little boy that put his finger in the leaking dyke, we have to stay alert to potential problems. Otherwise we can end up with a flood that destroys all we have worked to build.
No one likes consequences. They sting, bite, and maim. Telling a lie. Choosing to drink and drive. Having sex outside of marriage. Unfaithfulness to your spouse. Embezzling from an employer. Refusing to heal an offense. Overspending on a credit card. Ignoring a small water leak. Life is full of decisions and all lead to consequences of varying degrees.
Our water leak is a simple object lesson to pay attention to the lesser choices in life, an inconvenience, not a sin. However, decisions to choose our own way will separate us from God. A tiny hole in a small pipe led to unintended expenses and a mess. Major mistakes create results we live with for a lifetime. Livelihood, reputation, relationships, and even life itself are more than worth the effort of doing the right thing at the right time.
Relating real-life warnings to God’s word influence how I make life’s large decisions, giving insight, like water trickling from a dam that can lead to a flood of disastrous proportions.
© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, April 27, 2017
Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.
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This is wonderful Norma and oh so true!
Thanks, Nan! It’s a good reminder for all of us.
Certainly a warning. I used to think small things didn’t matter. Now that I am older, I realize how much they do.
Age does have its benefits! Thanks for stopping by!
So true. A very thought provoking piece. Thank you for sharing. I hope your repairs can be completed soon.
Thanks! The repairs are going well, the damage was not too bad. Hopefully, the lesson will be remembered!
A high school classmate, and dear sister in Christ, recently had heart surgery. She is now in cardiac rehab but is restless during the recovery process, as well as working through other health issues. She is in my home state of Indiana, while Arizona is my home.
Shared this with my friend on Facebook, and told her “patience is a virtue.” She has damaged hearing, as well as balance issues, so we text and I try to find things to encourage her.
Thank you, Norma Gail, for today’s posting. May God continue to bless you and your ministry.
I am so sorry your friend is struggling. I know it is hard when you’re ill. I feel honored that you shared it with her. I have a post on another blog today about a time when I was struggling. You might check it out and see if you think she would benefit from it. I have had my share of health problems and surgeries. http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/2017/05/life-preserver.html
What a wonderful devotional
Thank you so much, Elizabeth! I’m glad you found it meaningful!