Isn’t It Ironic?



Alanis Morissette sings a song called Ironic…and yet her examples of irony, like rain on your wedding day, are really NOT.

Definition:  Ironic – happening the opposite way to what is expected, and typically causing wry amusement because of this.

You know what’s ironic?  Waking up the day before I am supposed to head to Nicaragua to do work helping to bring water to rural communities, turning on the faucet at my house and getting nothing.  THAT’S IRONIC, and it made me think that God is a pretty cool guy!

As I write this, we are waiting for the “well guy” to come out to determine what the issue is, but it is amazing to me how MUCH water is an unappreciated blessing in my life.

The day started with me going to put fresh water in the dogs’ bowls which were empty.  I took the bowls to the sink, turned on the faucet and heard, “pfft….” as just a bit of air (and no water) escaped the line. 

“Okay,” I thought, “the city must have turned off the water, and I can use bottled water for the dogs…”

But then there was the fact that I wanted (and needed) a shower, that I desperately desired my morning cup of coffee, that my husband, son and I all needed to use the bathroom, and my teeth could really stand to be brushed.  Such are my little morning rituals, typically accomplished without a thought, because the water I take for granted flows from my taps whenever I turn the handle.  Not today, Susan – not today!

I told Jim that the city had turned off the water, and then he replied, “We don’t have city water.  We’re on a well.”

Well, isn’t that just IRONIC!  In rural Nicaragua 69% of the homes do NOT have access to clean running water…that’s millions of people (men, women, children, old and young) who don’t share the easy access to water we enjoy.  Instead, they get it from contaminated hand-dug wells, or the local rivers and streams (which by-the-way, are also used by animals, and for bathing).

2 Corinthians 6:1 is a bible verse that seems to fit this morning – “In our work together with God, then, we beg you who have received God’s grace not to let it be wasted.” 

This morning’s lack of water is a reminder that God has richly blessed me in so many ways (many of which I take for granted).  And this little hiccup makes me feel that the “call” to go and spend some time loving up on the people of Chinandega, and helping the Amigos group facilitate leadership, water, health, education and economic development – is a good one.

When God blesses us, it is because He wants us to SHARE those blessings with others.  “And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16

 

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