Wednesday, May 4, 2022
He approached me with a look of misery and devastation. “I’m about to cry. I ruined it, totally!”
The “it” he was referring to was our brand-new refrigerator/freezer. Ours was inadequate for full-time RV living, especially the freezer, so we had been pondering what to do for a long time, the only thing that could have been better is if it came with a second shelf for the freezer (it only came with one rack, even though it had space for three). Then the perfect refrigerator/freezer was on sale at Lowes. It was smaller on the outside, and much deeper on the inside. Twice the size, in fact. Furthermore, there would be room for a small pantry, always an added bonus! Another great pull, it used much less electricity, being a normal (not RV made) refrigerator, and we could get off the propane. With so much solar, that was absolutely no problem. Propane is getting more expensive and RV absorption refrigerators (which run on propane) are the primary cause of RV fires. Would you believe, when we pulled out the old refrigerator, there were scorch marks all over the ceiling and the refrigerator top!!!
Tim had ordered the appliance while we were on the road, to take advantage of the sale. Thus, it was waiting for us, at dad’s house, when we pulled into town. What a chore to get the old 200 plus pound fridge out, but Jim, our brother-in-law, came over and helped. In spite of his bad back, he helped Tim get that big thing out of the RV, which was not easy to do, even after Tim had taken off the doors, then he helped get the new one in.
After Tim got the new refrigerator in place, the difficulty then was with getting it level and secure.
“Call LeRoy, he would know what to do, I’m sure,” I suggested.
LeRoy is 91 years old and fit as a fiddle. He is a handyman if there ever was one and he definitely doesn’t act his age! Sure enough, he came and gave Tim some very good advice on how to solve the problem. LeRoy left and Tim set to work. It was shortly thereafter that Tim put a screw in the wrong place and heard the hissing sound. The screw had punctured a condenser line, something not repairable.
After months of challenges, this was like the straw that broke the camel’s back. And my husband, who never cries, was on the verge of tears. There was nothing to do but go back to Lowes and see if he could get another refrigerator just like the useless one now in our home. On a good note he reminded me, we now will have that second shelf in the freezer. Unfortunately, the sale would be over, making the second one more expensive than the first. Still, on his way to the store, he was reminded to give thanks in everything.
In Everything Give Thanks!
He had to be honest. “God, this is a hard thing to give thanks for!”
At Lowes, he went directly to the Appliance Department. “Do you have any magic spray that will fix this?” he asked the attendant at the desk.
After explaining what had happened, the man replied, “You could just exchange it!”
“But it’s my fault, not yours!” Tim exclaimed.
“I could check with the manager.”
“OK, Tim said. “If the manager approves it, I would be very grateful!”
The exchange was approved at no extra cost!
Shortly thereafter I got a call with the great news. Now he wanted to cry again – this time for joy!!! Furthermore, Jim was able to come right away and bring his truck.
Jim helped Tim get the now unusable refrigerator out of the RV, not an easy task, and to Lowes for the exchange only to find out the wrong manager had approved the exchange. Would the correct manager also approve the exchange or would Tim have to buy a new refrigerator? He knew it had been totally his fault so he was willing to pay.
Wonder upon Wonder!
Isaiah 29:14 says, “Behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder.” Now He was talking about the children of Israel, but that verse wasn’t just put in the Bible for the children of Israel. God has allowed us to go through so much in the last months, but how else would we experience how wonderful, how marvelous He really is?!?
I will remember…
Psalm 77:11-14 says, “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.” Yes, He is God, who works wonders!
Tim and Jim walked out of Lowes with a new refrigerator at no extra cost. All we can do is say, “THANK YOU!” for His mercy and grace. We say thank you to Jim and LeRoy also, for their advice and help. We have a new refrigerator that works much better for us. Furthermore, we get a pantry which also works better for us. I must also add here, we can put magnets on this refrigerator! For me, that is a big deal. We indeed are grateful for God’s goodness. He is God, who works wonders!
Blessings,
Mari
P.S. no, we did not get to keep the extra freezer shelf after all … but God gave us more than an extra shelf! Much more!!
