All the Flowers in the World

July 31, 2022 by  
Filed under Humor, Stories

By Liz Cowen Furman –

We journeyed to our little motel full of hopes that the aging plumbing and electrical systems had weathered the winter and would spring to life as easily as they had the year before. Jake, my 20 year-old nephew, was coming to Wyoming with us to work for the season. This was his first time to visit the gorgeous country we are so blessed to live in during the summers. I warned him that it was back-breaking work, with long hours, especially that first week. But I had no idea…

After traveling 12 hours we pulled the van into the driveway of the motel just as the sun was setting. We managed to get the power up and running, but because we have to be present when the water comes on, in case of major leaks, we had to wait until the next morning to get the plumbing going. Fortunately, the rain collection bucket near the apartment was full to overflowing so we could have a “flush.”

The next morning, we were so sad to discover that the folks we hired to blow out the pipes waited too long the previous fall. We had SEVERAL major leaks to contend with. Joints blown out by water left in the pipes when that first hard freeze happened meant three days of crawling under the motel, partly on my belly, trying to locate and repair leaks. I discovered that if I wore long sleeves and pants, gloves and a hat, I wouldn’t get bitten by any little critters under there. All this with no shower. I’m sure I was a charming sight (and smell). I, however, now know how to repair ANY part of a toilet, sink, and (amazing to me!) the large intake valve to an 80-gallon water heater. Every cloud has a silver lining.

If our little family motel in Dubois, Wyoming has taught me anything, it is that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).
As I crawled along under the motel, I kept thinking about the million other things I should be doing to get ready for our first reservations to arrive on June 1st . Like planting the flats and flats of flowers wilting in their little pots. But the water has to come first. It’s the funniest thing, if there is no water for our guests to take a shower in and drink, all the flowers in the world won’t make a difference, but when there is water the flowers are an amazing addition.

Kind of like our lives, if we don’t have Christ, all the fluff of the world isn’t worth a thing, but become best friends with the Creator of the universe, and suddenly there is a kind of joy, even in hardships, that outshines anything the world can offer.

Every year opening the motel is an adventure, and every year I find many similarities between running our business and running our lives. Both always go better with Jesus at the helm.

About Liz Cowen Furman

Liz is an author, artist, encourager, mentor, teacher and popular speaker. However, her most important job is as mother to her three teen-aged boys and being a support to her husband, Appellate Court Judge, Dave Furman. All of whom give her much fodder for her writing and speaking (with permission of course). Find out more at www.lizcowenfurman.com
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