Slowly

3:01 p.m. Today's project was to have our plumber Lou over to inspect the leak slowly dripping from the faucet on the back patio. This leak is nowhere near as huge or steady as the one he repaired out front, which leaked gallons per day; but even a tiny, steady leak causes standing water and attracts mosquitoes. And we know that mosquitoes carry ugly diseases.

He came over about 9:30 with his two younger kids, 10 and 11 along.Our dog Jada was delighted to have company, as you can imagine. She greeted them and was soon ready to play.

Lou found the leak in the hose, so it seemed that it would be easily handled.  But then trouble appeard up toward the wall, on the soldered part that hooks up with the hose. He mentioned that the expense of getting a newer, more reliable compression fitting would be maybe $28.00. Not bad, and I do want the problem solved!

I have the Lord to give me the timing for expenditures and the skillful friends, but being without an   in-house "handyhusband" has taken some getting used to. Lately, Steve has been taking an interest in chores outside, like attempting to unloop a twisted hose while I water, or standing near a caregiver while he or she works. That is still a lot of improvement from the blank stare he would give all of us working around him. The Lord is granting Steve so much mercy, not allowing dementia to steal his life! Psalm 68:20 says,

Our God is the God of salvation;
And to God the LORD belong
  escapes from death.

The picture of Steve at California Adventure in 2010 just reminds me of when he was in the mid-stage of his affliction--unable to work or drive, but able to walk around, talk, laugh and enjoy a fun day without nodding off, or wandering away while waiting for me to return from the ladies' room. I often think that if the Lord would allow the supplements our son is sending to reverse his deterioration to the mid-point, how excited and grateful I would be!!

Just like the tiny leaks in our backyard water supply, either good or evil can progress very slowly. Slowly we sink into a backslidden state if we avoid fellowship and stop reading our Bibles; yet, slowly, and with a measured, God-ordained pace, we members of the Body of Christ grow in grace, being built up, as Ephesians 4:13 says (NLT),

...until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord,measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

 And no matter what our handicap, weakness,  inability or struggle, what a glorious day that will be!