In the two weeks before Thanksgiving, our dishwasher quit emptying out the dirty water; our washing machine wouldn’t spin at the end of the rinse cycle; and our old faithful van started herking and jerking in a way that frightened me but delighted my children, who declared it as good as sitting in a massage chair.
My husband is an awesome DIYer. We only hand-washed dishes for three days while he determined the problem and then ordered and replaced the dishwasher pump. Eight people generate an awful lot of dirty dishes. We only flooded the kitchen twice in the repair process.
The washing machine quit spinning out the water at the end of the rinse cycle on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Eight people produce as many dirty clothes and towels as dishes. I stayed calm through the analysis and repair process on the dishwasher, but the washing machine was a different story.
My husband stayed up until 1:30 a.m. Tuesday night going back and forth between the computer (repairclinic.com and YouTube washing machine repair videos) and taking the machine apart, but still no definite solution.
Wednesday morning I kicked into what-if-I-need-a-new-washing-machine? mode, so I left home and spent the day researching the latest models. I found washers larger than mine, with more settings than mine, and lovelier than mine (red!) and I was smitten. Smitten. {Yes, I’m the kind of girl who can be smitten by a washing machine.}
I hardly noticed the transition from fact finding to checking delivery dates. My husband later told me I wasn’t supposed to shop, just research. When I looked puzzled, he said, “Fact finding with the intent to purchase is shopping.” Live and learn.
He stayed up until 2 a.m. working on it that night. The result? You guessed it. He figured out how to fix the washing machine, too. Admittedly, there were moments when I wasn’t sure I wanted it to work again . . .
I’d seen the greener grass on the other side of the fence.
When we thought the transmission might be going out on the van I’ve driven for 11 years and 206K+ miles, I imagined power door locks that work (mine quit); no more dings and cracks in the window (a 15-passenger van attracts rocks to the glass and other people’s car doors to the sides—it’s a big target). In my wilder thoughts I envisioned heated seats, dual sunroofs, and easily parking in any space.
But our mechanic replaced two coils (whatever they are) and that van was back in business.
We’re familiar with the phrase What Would Jesus Do?, but lately I’ve been thinking what would Jesus own? If He walked among us now, in 2013, I’m willing to bet my washing machine, dishwasher, car, phone, and computer would be nicer than His.
Would He even have those things?
It’s easy to become discontent. To want more. To forget to be grateful for what He’s given me. My blessings come from God. Being dissatisfied with what I have is like saying, “I’m not happy with what you’ve given me,” and that’s not where I want my heart to be.
I did get something new in the process: a rearranged and more functional laundry room. The washing machine fact finding/shopping trip gave us the idea to stack our washer and dryer, and then we brought a large set of metal shelves in from the garage and put them on the side of the wall where the dryer used to be. I have loads of extra storage space and even a bright and cozy rug on the floor. Cost: nothing.
At Christmas, more than ever, I want to model for my children a grateful heart and a deeper appreciation for what I’ve been given. Don’t you?
What simple blessings are you thankful for today?
by Dawn Camp at My Home Sweet Home, newly grateful for her old ride and appliances
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Dawn,
Oh the insidious nature of discontent!! I think we’d all be lying if we said we weren’t bitten by the discontent bug at times. BTW, I also can be smitten by a new washer and dryer. I gaze longingly at them in the store while my old faithfuls some how keep chugging along. This morning I gave thanks as I heard the heat kick on in my house. Yes, my house needs a lot of TLC, but I have a roof over my head, I have a heating system that works (it went on the fritz last Christmas) and I have enough money in the bank to pay my heating bill. Giving thanks with a grateful heart for that this morning…thanks for a much needed reminder!!
Blessings,
Bev
Bev, you’ve got great blessings here. Here’s to washing machines that keep on chugging!
Dawn, I’m chuckling b/c I have a fellow DIYer husband. And he just recently fixed our washer as well. But I’m also chuckling b/c I know that persuasive voice of discontentment so well. It’s a sneaky little thing. Even when I try to be so mature and levelheaded, it slips in there sometimes without warning. But I’ve always found gratefulness to be the antidote for discontentment. It’s amazing how our perspective changes when we see the same things through eyes of gratitude!
Crystal, I completely agree with you: gratefulness is the antidote for discontent. Thanks for these wise words!
It is so easy to see and want – especially around Christmas, I think, when there are sales and specials and we can convince ourselves it’s frugal to pick up things we “need” or would use anyway, even though we’re getting along without them perfectly fine.
I am grateful to have woken up this morning to sneak kisses from my dogs, who snuggled close and night and made sure I stayed warm while the wind howled outside. I’m thankful for the stacked rows of firewood that promise heat and light all winter, no matter what the weather does, and for my old but faithful Jeep with its snow tires that ignores the rust creeping up its wheel-wells and still gets me through any weather as reliably as it did when it was new.
Jamie, I had completely convinced myself that it was awesome that our washer died (although it didn’t, really) just in time for the Black Friday sales. 🙂
Hi Dawn,
yesterday I got the Okay of my boss for getting a new pact so I can stay at this working place for a few months more. I’m so happy, so grateful! Yes I really am.
But just a few minutes later after this great message, Satan really wanted do damage my gratefulness with arguments like “You know that there are so many places you would have more fun while working.” or “You always have problems with your boss and you’re grateful for a new pact?”.
He really tried it! But with my whole thankfulness I’am quiet staying in praise.
The grass on the other side of the fence will always be greener until we are on the other side of the fence! 😉
thanks for your encouraging words!
Be blessed,
Rosie
Rosie,
Thankful for the answer to your prayer. You have such a grateful heart and God will continue to bless you in your current job. I will pray that if it His will that He will lead you to a different job in His time. Meanwhile, praying that the enemy will leave you alone as you seek to be thankful for this answer to prayer!
Blessings,
Bev
Rosie, giving thanks with you today for your job!
Rosie,
Congratulations on the Pact for the job. Praying that God will bless you there and make you shine like Jesus. Prayers for a better/different job if it is His will for you. For now bloom where you are planted. Blessings to you and everyone!
AND, sometimes we forget to be grateful for a husband who CAN fix things! I know I do – who wouldn’t rather have a new appliance? But he’s saved us thousands in repair bills by being able to fix everything from a flat tire to the industrial air handler we’ve got for AC. Now if he could only get that tree off the roof….. 🙂
Elaine, you’re right. My husband has saved us a boatload. I hope my sons learn from him and bless their future families this way.
Thank you for this timely reminder!! I too can so relate! Yes I’ve drooled over red washing machines before!:) this world offers so much to distract us from the things most important and it’s far too easy to get caught up in the bigger, better, newer mentality. Making a list of all the gifts my Heavenly Father bestows on me daily helps me shift my perspective. Truly a full life starts with thanks!!:)) ps thank goodness for the DIYer husbands Gods blessed us with!
Lori, giving thanks with you today for DIYer husbands. 🙂
A week before thanksgiving our dog was sprayed by a skunk. The biggest skunk I had ever seen. Before he hit the door I knew. The smell came in through the heat pump first and instantly engulfed our house. Before we had time to react the dog came running into the house. The skunk had got him on half of his head and mouth. He immediately hit his bed and rubbed all over it and side swiping one of my throws and my sweater I was wearing. The magnitude of the damage was not realized till the next morning. I awoke in tears. The smell was literally everywhere. Our clothes, curtains, furniture, food pantry, even the handles of hair brushes. My husband calls early from work and says he stinks….our daughter at school was being made fun of and had to go and get her. So I done a little research and began the cleaning. I had to go to Walmart for carpet cleaner and febreeze and tarts and burners. As I was standing there I realized I stunk. My hair, clothes. To my horror it was in my skin. I was devastated. Every wall, curtains and floors, beds were stripped and washed. It took days…..my leather Coach purse…yep, now smells also. At the time I was not in a thankful mood and honestly I am still struggling with it. Whe we go out, I can’t help but smell myself and all my children. They are getting irritated with me! But now, I can breathe easier…with much thanks to our pastor for the air purifier and the dog groomer. I am much more grateful for the clean air I breathe and the help I had cleaning and washing. Now, maybe I can relax and enjoy Christmas.
Tami, this is just awful. When the smell is completely gone, you’ll be thankful for something you would have never thought to be thankful for: the gift of clean, fresh air and smells in your home.
I have a DIY husband as well. Most recently he had my car in so many pieces….I’m sure there has to be a screw missing now. But alas, it is fixed. It was easy to think about that fast, zippy, new car. No overheating in the school pickup line, or stalling on the street. God has blessed me to have a husband who can really FIX things and a car with no car payment which allows me to work part-time instead of working to pay for a car!! Praise God for my “handy man.”
Be blessed
Kimberly, I agree with you that no car payment is one of the greatest blessings. I hope my van runs until it can’t run any more. 🙂
Hi Dawn. I love your post today. Can you take a picture of the washer/dryer together? I would love to have a new washer. I have a new dryer which is energy-efficient. But since the washer is about 30 years old, and in darn good shape, it makes the dryer work harder. Mainly, because the washer is holding more water, and the dryer is made for an energy-efficient washer. But I pray God will bless me to get one. Thanks.
Karen, I almost included a picture in this post! I’ll go take one with my phone and email it to you. 🙂
I loved reading this post, and will now be asking “what would Jesus own?” What a beautiful thought to ponder on …
I’m glad to hear that all of your “issues” were resolved, and that you didn’t splurge 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Noelani
Noelani, my kids said, “Please don’t buy a new washer at Christmas!” 🙂
Yes, what would Jesus own is a thought to ponder.
What a fantastic reminder. Gratitude is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart. It is hard sometimes, though, when every thing seems to hit at once. You are normal in your wanting…there is security in owning something new.
Lisa, that’s a root of it, isn’t it, the security of owning something new? I guess we just pray for long life for what we own. 🙂
Thanks for the reminder. I was given a job as a Deli Clerk…not what I wanted. The pay stinks,people are rude and hours are not days. Just need to thank God for the job and wait patiently for a different job with better pay and nice atmosphere.
Im there but its teaching lessons i would never have if i were the ceo
Patty, I hope you have the opportunity to brighten the day of your customers and that the favor is returned unto you.
I can relate to the sour attitude of ingratitude. Been there, done that. Your post is a great reminder though. In this season of my life, I’m grateful to simply have a roof over my head and food to eat. There’s so much I could have a bad attitude towards. It’s not worth the energy! God provides. We simply need to trust and obey Him.
Kimberly, you’re right, bad attitudes aren’t worth our energy. Let’s just keep trusting God’s provision in our lives.
Yes it happens i think He unwillingness to give means He doesnt love me as much as—->her or that He just doesnt want me to have certain things. I think why are we poor? Instead of thinking i could be poorer. I need to thank Him and expect Him to give me more if necessary. I take it personally when God tells me no. But sometimes if He had said yes i would not b as creative as i am
Alli, that creativity is a gift that will bless you even if you have more in the future. Those lessons are hard won but rich in value.
Yes, we all need to be grateful… Be grateful to have a husband who can do these things for you. Be grateful to still have your husband. That he comes home every night and you are together as a family. I lost my husband almost a year ago, I have been trying to do all these fixit things myself or learning to swallow my pride and ask for or accept help. I want to be a strong role model for my daughter. Part of that is showing her how I am still grateful for what we do still have (our home, our health, each other) but it can still feel hollow right now when we both miss him so much.
Cheri, I’m so sorry. I would have a hard time making it without my husband. You’re teaching your daughter so much. I pray for strength and comfort for you both.
I’m just so grateful for everything the LORD has given to me and I’m happy and content in just spending time with my husband who’s retired for already ten years. We get along so well it’s truly a blessing in our lives to each other. Thank YOU LORD JESUS for my husband and best friend as well in JESUS’ Name I pray amen.
🙂
Karyn, you have a rich life. Thanking Jesus with you today for your good man!
Thank you, Thank you for confirming what we already know, which is contentment leads to knowing you have everything you NEED. Faith, Family and love. And most thanksgiving to the husband that seeks to keep his boat afloat when it springs a leak. LOL Thank you Lord for my spouse and reminding me that what we model in our home is important.
Susan, I love your simple prayer of thanks for everyday graces.
Jesus did not even have a house to call His own. Thankful for my
‘old house’..which is paid for..and my DYI husband!!
What Jesus owned (or didn’t) really keeps things in perspective, doesn’t it?
A simple blessing I am thankful for…
Yesterday I went Christmas shopping at an outdoor mall and the weather was absolutely beautiful and the walk between stores truly delighted me, it felt that good! Crisp, cool, fresh air blessed me, it put a bounce in my step..
We have just thawed out from alot of ice which was still melting and pouring off the awnings so it sounded like rain but the sun was shining…
So, if you are stressed with your Christmas shopping, go to an outdoor mall and breathe the fresh air in between shops, it will do you good! 🙂 Or take a walk (outside) somewhere!
Kathy, I feel the joy of your beautiful day! Life is sweeter when we seek beauty in the mundane. 🙂
Gratitude is certainly a CHOICE many times. I forget often too but when I “fake it till I make it” it is amazing at how powerful Gratitude can be!! Thanks for the post checking out your online store too!
Katie, there’s wisdom in this: if we model the attitudes that we know we should have, often they’ll genuinely follow. 🙂
I have one of those DIY husbands in our home. We are blessed to have such wonderful men that I feel like we have. My husband is so good to me and a comfort at all times. I feel like he is a gift from God.
Becky
Becky, he is a gift! Yours sounds like a keeper. 😉
I too, have a DYIer husband. It may take him a while, but he will fix it one way or another. Lately we have not had the money to even buy parts to repair things around the house because of hubby being out of work. We have a kitchen sink with no faucet knobs, so we have to turn on and off the water under the sink. I am very thankful we have water. Our toilet tank is leaking so much that I have to leave a mop in the bathroom so everyone can mop after they flush. Again, thankful for water to flush. We have not had a dish washer for I don’t know how long. I am thankful for water to wash them by hand and that we have dirty dishes. Our roof leaks every time it rains. I am thankful for a roof over our heads. We have a vehicle that was given to us many years ago, praise God! We are still driving it with 354,000 miles on it, and we have had to do very few repairs to it, praise God! Do I dream of nicer things? Yes. Am I content with what I have? Sometimes, but I have my days when I wonder why I can’t just have something new instead of a hand-me-down. I have to determine in my mind and heart that God gives and takes to whoever He chooses. And He has a reason for all He does. And its first and foremost for His glory, and then for my good.
Lori, I appreciate your comment, such wise words. Thank you for an example of gratitude in hard circumstances.
I have been diagnosed with a serious illness, something that I could be very bitter about. But instead, I am so grateful that my God has blessed me with such loving and supportive family and friends, a wonderful church, a comfortable home and a strong faith in Him.
Praise be to God!
May God show himself strong on your behalf
Roxy, rest in the Lord’s strength and rely on those who He’s placed there to support you. Praying for you today!
Roxy,
Great attitude. You are modeling Christ to the world.
Prayers for healing and for your support group to continue to be there for you. May God surround you and give you the strength and courage to carry on daily!
God Bless!
Dawn,
I’ve been known to have sour attitudes a lot. Oh, I can get jealous over jobs, & stuff. It’s ever so easy, especially at Christmas, to want the latest greatest item-on sale of course.
This post is a wake-up call as to what would Jesus own? Probably nothing and He would be ok with that–then why can’t we? Why must we strive so hard to “have it all” and not be thankful for the little things in life?
I have a “thankful” journal I started a few years back. The main list contains hundreds of items and then each day I write out what I’m thankful for that day–even if it is nice weather, day off, or just being alive.
Today I’m thankful for my loving family-especially my hubby. He helps me in so many ways. I’m glad God put us together. I’m also grateful for time/money to assist my aging dad. He’s getting dementia and really not able to live alone anymore.
I’m grateful this Christmas for Jesus who was born and for the wonderful women of In Courage!
May everyone have a blessed and Christ-filled Christmas!
Beth, counting our blessings magnifies them (and our peace), doesn’t it? Christmas blessings to you, too!
Loved this post. Right now I am grateful for new friendships. I have been attending a local church Bible study. There is a large group lecture, and then a small group. I did not know anyone in the group,, and was intimidated at first, but then I realized that it was nice to meet new people. I have become friends with several of the gals, and am running with one of them every other week.
I feel blessed!
Catherine, what a blessing! Hooray for new friendships. 🙂
Seriously this is exactly what happened to me about 3 months ago! We had just bought our 1st home and right after that, the dishwasher broke, the 2 used washing machines we had bought from friends both quit on us and my car wouldn’t start several times in the same week. Luckily I too have a husband determined to fix things instead of spend oodles on new things and is really good at it. As a very frugal woman, I am very appreciative, but as many have said, who wouldnt like a new appliance every now and then. He fixed 2 of the 3 machines and my truck only needed a new battery! I am very grateful!