Silver Linings in Busted Pipes | Debbie Taylor Williams

“Debbie!” Keith called in a not so quiet voice. Rushing to the entry of our bedroom, we stared at the water pouring from our ceiling onto our bed and floor. Jumping into action, Keith ran to turn off the water while I began gathering every bowl and serving dish that could hold water. For the next hours, I rotated emptying bowls of water while Keith tried to locate the source of the leak, call the plumber, carpet cleaner, and our insurance agency. Towels we put on the floor to absorb the deluge were to no avail. As the ceiling began cracking, I hurriedly gathered pictures, books, and candles off tables in case it caved in. Having never experienced pipes bursting, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that it didn’t look good. Scooping water off the comforter on our bed and gathering bed pillows continued between emptying bowls of water. What I didn’t know, but would later find out was the leak had started long before we knew it. Water had been accumulating in the insulation in the attic. Therefore, even after the water was turned off, the deluge continued.

“What silver lining are you discovering in Plan B?”

Phase two of me being surprised was when the plumbers arrived and one of them announced, “This ceiling will have to come down and we’ll have to tear the carpet out. “What?” I wanted to say. I think, “You’re kidding!” did slip out. However, I soon understood why the ceiling had to come down. Sagging, sopping insulation weighted the ceiling. It had to be removed. In addition to the pipes being fixed, blowers had to be set up in the attic, bedroom, and family room where the water had migrated. Keith’s and my Friday night Plan A, to go to a movie and have a quiet evening at home was replaced with a Plan B live viewing of six men tearing down our ceiling and carrying the heavy drenched insulation and carpet out in large plastic bags.

As I snapped pictures for the claims adjuster, my mind started filling with spiritual applications surrounding the bursted pipes. First, things pent up inside are eventually going to burst. When that happens, words are going to leak or perhaps pour out of our mouths. Criticism or bitterness may drip into conversations. Wouldn’t it be better to check our hearts before the Lord each day and allow Him to repair any tiny holes before they become serious issues that cause major damage?

Second, Plan Bs can have silver linings even if they require us to do things we hadn’t planned. As Keith and I walked amid boxes he’d removed from the attic to make room for the plumbers, we realized we needed to go through them to check for water damage. We found a lot that needed throwing away and some that needed giving away. God doesn’t want to waste moments in our lives. Why not look to Him and search for the silver lining in your plan B?

Third, sometimes we need others’ help. Keith and I couldn’t do what the plumbers and carpet cleaning company did, we wouldn’t have thought about looking to checkout this page to find out what to do. They had the know how and equipment to handle our situation. The Christian community is filled with people who are familiar with different issues we may be experiencing. Pastors, Christian counselors, support groups, and Bible studies and courses are available to address every need.

Bursted pipes, political unrest, family issues, financial concerns, job instability, harsh weather, and health problems aren’t fun. They present challenges. However, with God in our midst, we can find a silver lining. What silver lining are you discovering in your Plan B?

Father, please help me to see the silver lining in the Plan B’s in my life. Help me to turn to you to see the positive in every situation and not hold bitterness or criticism in my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Plan A Woman In A Plan B World, What To Do When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan, copyright Debbie Taylor Williams

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