Handyman

Handyman of the Lord

I am not a handyman

I was reminded of that because I had to call a plumber about the downstairs toilet.  It wouldn’t flush and I pulled the cover off the tank and looked around and couldn’t figure out anything. Thank God we have a toilet upstairs.

Hope plumbing said they could come today between 2-5. The cost would be the $85 service fee plus whatever parts and labor were needed to fix the toilet. Our checking account couldn’t handle that right now so I will put the bill on our nearly maxed-out credit card.

When I told my wife Jill the news she said, “You know I’m working at the school this afternoon.”

“I know,” I replied, “I’ll take off work to be here when the plumber comes.”

That evening as we sat around the dinner table, my daughter Molly asked, “So, can we use the downstairs toilet now?”

“Yes, it’s up and running and good as new.”

Teddy my son said, “It sure is a hassle keeping a house going.”

“It sure is,” I replied. Ted, a teenager,  sometimes made wise observations. The kids rinsed their plates and put them in the dishwasher and headed upstairs for homework.

“So, what was the damage?” Jill asked, putting away the leftover spaghetti in the refrigerator.

“$310. They had to replace everything inside the tank. It took a while.”

“Yikes.”

We’re going to have to live frugally until we pay off our credit card.”

“I’ll cook more.” Standing by sink, she wiped her hand across her bow, and added, “We’ve had a lot of unplanned bills this month.”

“Yes, we have,” I said, kissing her on the cheek. “I loved the spaghetti, by the way,” I added, leaving the kitchen. “Got to catch up on work.”

Later, as I sat in my upstairs office, I logged out of PowerPoint – my work presentation for tomorrow was ready – and put on one of my old folk-rock playlists. It had songs from John Denver, James Taylor, and Glenn Campbell. James Taylor’s “Handyman” came on. I had always liked this song, and it hit home tonight.

“I’m not the kind to use a pencil or rule

I’m handy with love and I’m no fool

I fix broken hearts, I know that I truly can.”

Jill walked in, stood behind me, and wrapped her arms around me. “Good old sweet baby James.” I stood up and we embraced, and she said softly, “You’re a good family man, a good husband, even if you can’t fix a broken toilet. ” She pulled away, smiled and said, “I don’t have a broken heart, but I bet you could fix it if I did.” I held her tightly.

Jill was frying chicken when I walked in the door the next night.

She smiled. “How did the presentation go today?”

“Well.  Dixon gave tentative approval to our updated project plans.”

“Just a reminder that I’m taking Molly to volleyball practice.”

“I’ll be here. I’ve got to finish preparing for the Bible study tomorrow night.”

“Oh, that’s right,” she replied, cutting up raw vegetables for the tossed salad. “You’re the leader again, aren’t you?

“Yes, I am.”

“Well, that’s a good ministry.”

“Yes, it is. I guess that’s where the Lord wants me.”

Later I sat down at my desk with my Bible and read the leader’s study guide for week one. Then I began a careful review of the first two chapters of Luke, which were the assignment for the first class. Although I had read and heard the first chapter of Luke many times, I became transfixed as I read the annunciation, the angel Gabriel’s encounter with Mary. Remember she is a teen-ager, a specially chosen young woman. And what does she say as she grasps the enormity of what Gabriel had said:

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

May it be done to me according to your word.”

These words were for Mary – she became a great handmaid of the Lord, a role model for all of us.  And then it came to me: the Lord desires all of us to become his handmaids and handymen. As a father and a husband and Bible study leader I’ve been a handyman for the Lord.

I’m sure he has more roles for me in the future.