These past three weeks have been a test of faith. As I’ve been pouring my heart into launching a new project, my husband and I faced an unexpected trial: a water leak in our bathroom cabinet. We are the type of people that strive to see life’s challenges through the lens of positivity, taking the lemons life throws at us and make lemonade.
So, instead of despairing, we chose to remodel our outdated bathroom, hoping to transform this setback into an opportunity. Little did we know, this small leak would become a huge waterfall of drama, frustration, and ultimately, divine grace.
The Deluge Begins: A Test of Patience
Our first step was to hire a contractor, highly rated online and brimming with confidence. He seemed knowledgeable, offering practical advice on products and design, and his price was fair. With hope in our hearts, we gave him the go-ahead, trusting he’d fix the leak and refresh our space. But as Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “The human heart plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.”
The demolition revealed a far graver issue: water seeping from beneath the concrete floor. Our contractor, lacking plumbing expertise, refused to admit his limitations. Instead of humility, he insisted he could “find the leak” with advice from a friend. What followed was a torrent of destruction—seven holes in our walls, a major dig in our front yard, and, yet no answers. Our home of 23 years, our sacred space where we’ve raised our family and created countless beautiful memories, resembled a battlefield. My patience, stretched thin, began to unravel.
Digging Deeper into the Well
As stress mounted, we felt trapped and overwhelmed. It was time to call reinforcements, in the form of a licensed plumber recommended by our neighbor. This is when the situation got very ugly. The contractor’s pride clashed with the humble plumber’s desire to help. Disrespect, insults and threats flying everywhere. The plumber left, the contractor threatened to abandon the job, and I reached my breaking point. In that moment, I channeled one of my favorite saints and beacon of courage, Joan of Arc, and like her, I stood firm and said: “You’re not leaving. You caused this chaos, and you’ll finish what you started.”
St. Joan, a teenage girl led by God’s call during the Hundred Years’ War, faced impossible odds to lead France to victory. Despite her youth and gender, she was filled with divine grace, boldly proclaiming, “I am not afraid; I was born to do this.”
To this day, Joan of Arc is known for her boldness and courage. Despite being a young female in a male dominated society, she was filled with God’s grace, and as such, felt empowered to go through many trials and tribulations to fulfill her mission.
Her story is remarkable and inspiring. During this trial we were facing, I felt like my namesake, Joan. I could take this on and see it through. Except, I realized, I couldn’t do this on my own.
Parting of the Seas – God keeps His Promises
As time went on, the contractor’s frustration grew, his attitude was condescending and began to demand more money. My emotions boiled over when he confronted me while I was home alone, and my husband had to leave work to step in and shield me from a now angry person. In my distress, I canceled a meeting with a dear friend, unable to focus on my project. As I vented, I mentioned wanting to ask our visiting summer priest and friend, Fr. Peter, to bless our home once this ordeal ended. Her response was a gift: “Why wait? Call him today.”
Fr. Peter, a joyful priest from Ghana, didn’t hesitate. “Pick me up at 3:30, and we’ll get this done.” He arrived, armed with prayer and holy water, dousing our home with blessings. As he prayed, I felt the weight lift, like the parting of the Red Sea. Miraculously, the leak stopped. The house felt lighter, peace settled in our hearts, and even though two days of tension remained, God’s light pierced the darkness.
Fr. “Push”: A Lesson in Perseverance
During the blessing, Fr. Peter shared a story that spoke to our souls. In Ghana, he owned an old truck that needed a push from neighborhood teens to start. They teased him, calling him “Fr. Push.” At first, he got offended, but after further reflection, he saw the wisdom: pushing is how we move forward. In our faith, we push through darkness to find light, push past trials to grow closer to God, push ourselves to pray when it’s hardest.
Fr. Peter offered four ways to “push” forward in faith:
- Pray More: Prayer is our lifeline to God. Whether in formal devotion or offering up mundane tasks like dishes, we can connect with Him. When frustration creeps in—like during a long customer service call—offer a silent prayer for peace. Whatever you’re facing, pray more, and pray often!
- Humility: Our contractor’s pride and unwillingness to work with others, caused chaos. Admitting we need help, like St. Joan relying on her army or Fr. Peter on those teens, is a mark of strength.
- Stand Firm: When things don’t go our way, we feel defeated and want to give up. That’s the precise time when we have to say to ourselves: “Oh, no you don’t! You’re not giving up now!!” Perseverance means persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay.
- Self-Awareness: This one is extremely important. We must take a step back and do some honest self-analysis to ensure we are headed in the right direction. We have to open our hearts when God leads us down a different road. If not, we’ll be missing out on something better! Discernment, through prayer and reflection, helps us see where to direct our efforts.
Dose of Wisdom: The Calm After The Storm
This situation taught me many lessons. To trust my God-given instincts, control my emotions, and seek help, including the divine type. I initially ignored an uneasy feeling about the contractor, letting external factors override my inner voice. I let anger take over, forgetting my own advice about finding peace in chaos. Most importantly, I was reminded that asking for help is not a sign of weakness and that assistance comes in many forms!
Speaking of receiving help from others, Fr. Peter’s story had a joyful ending: with our pastor’s assistance, he got a new truck, retiring “Fr. Push”. Yet, he continues to ‘push forward’, inspiring others with his faith. His blessing was our turning point, a reminder that God’s grace can calm any storm. Thank you, Fr. Peter!!
A Call to Wisdom Seekers
As I’ve grown in my faith, I see every trial as a chance to grow in holiness. It’s easier said than done, but we have to make the effort. This bathroom flood was a small example of life’s larger challenges, but through prayer, humility, and perseverance, God turned our trial into triumph. I invite you to join me in seeking wisdom through faith, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient for us! (2 Corinthians 12:9).
