The Broken Saw

I have devoted this year to trying to change some things in my life that have held me back by reacting the same way over and over.

I was in New York with my daughter recently. We were on our first trip to ever see New York and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

I received a phone call from Noble. He had loaned his chain saw, the one that makes our living, to a neighbor who had a friend that had a tree leaning over their house. He said he almost did not do it, and would have just cut the tree for them, but our granddaughter was with him, so he allowed them to take his saw. They called an hour later and told him that a tree fell on the saw and crushed it into pieces. We had just bought the saw a few months ago for $1,000.00.

I am sure Noble dreaded telling me because my normal reaction would have been to gripe at him for loaning it in the first place and ranting about it even though there was nothing he could do about it now. I was good at that.

But this time, I said, "well, you were just trying to help someone in need. A lesson learned.". He agreed and vowed he would never loan equipment that makes his living out again.

When we hung up the phone, I prayed for him:

God I thank you that you have given Noble a heart that is willing to help others. We are told in your word when a friend is in need to loan above and beyond that need. Now Lord, Noble needs a saw to be able to provide for his family and so I thank you for this debris cleaning job you have provided so that we will be able to buy a new saw and he can continue to work this week. I ask you to give us peace in this situation. Lord, I especially want to thank you for teaching me how to trust you in every situation. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

I started thinking that it could have been worse. What if he did go and cut the tree himself and the tree fell on him instead? God has his hand upon us in ways we do not even know.

I felt a little growth spurt in me that day. It was a good feeling because I knew it was not me but God working in me, and that meant if He is still working on me, He still loves me.

Noble did buy a new Stihl chainsaw, and the neighbor brought him $300 at the end of the week to help pay for it.

Now I am not saying I will for sure pass the next test, but I am hoping some fruit is starting to grow.