Adversity, What Is It Good For
As I sat down to write this article, I was reflecting back over the last week ? a week filled with adversity. We all go through it and it is during those times that we may often wonder what is it all for anyway? What is the point? What is it good for?I decided to look up the word, adversity, from my old American Heritage Dictionary. The word is defined as "1. A state of hardship or affliction; misfortune. 2.
A calamitous event." It was all of the above for my husband and me. We had what most home owners hope to avoid ? a major plumbing problem. Oh the thought sends shivers up my spine! Nothing like this ever happens when it's convenient or when you have stockpiled loads of money ? as if! While you're going through it all, you wonder "Why me? Why now? Why EVER???" Then you get the problem fixed, breathe a sigh of relief, and wait for the next calamitous event to hit! Sounds rather pessimistic doesn't it?No, not really, because that is life. Over the last year we've survived two computer crashes, resulting in the purchase of a new computer system (after the first crash and before the second), our dog having an allergic reaction to the medicine he was put on to get well (which is why I went completely to all natural care), both cars needing major repairs, and our A/C needing to be replaced. Then last week this plumbing problem happened ? not to mention our vacuum cleaner broke and my husband got in a fender bender all in the same week! That does not include the myriad of other "little" things that happen during the normal course of life.
I could've sat down and had a great big pity party OR better I could discover what I've learned from all this and put it to use. You know the old saying when you get handed lemons you can squish up your face in bitterness or you can get better and make lemonade? Well, I decided to learn what God's plan was for me in all this and take the high road to lemonade.Now I know you'll be thinking that I'm going to hand you this wonderful explanation and revelation so we can all go merrily down the road of life happily ever after. Not so - but it is inspirational I hope!My husband and I did lots of knee bends last week - you know the ones where you bend them to the floor and look up fervently in expectation hoping that God will just take the situation miraculously away and you'll go on your merry way? Don't laugh; you know you've done it too! Well, that didn't happen but what we did discover is that God is always in control. He allows adversity in our lives to grow our faith or to get your attention on Him. If we never go through any valleys how will we know when we've reached a mountain top? How will we know if the mountain is even any good if all our lives we stay up on the mountain and never experience any valleys? I know we'd all like to avoid those "valleys" at all costs, but the most growth for anything happens during adversity.
You can take a look at nature to see that is true. A butterfly doesn't just change into a butterfly from the larvae (caterpillar state) until it has traversed the difficulty of climbing the tree, building a cocoon, staying there for a while, and then, with difficulty, breaking out of that cocoon to emerge a beautiful butterfly. It might sound like no big deal to us, but look at it from the standpoint of a caterpillar and you'll change your tune.God taught me and my husband that through all these trials, these hardships, these bummers, that He will provide and He does care. He wanted my trust in Him fully and completely. God has always had to get my attention with the old 2X4 method.
This time the 2X4 was very literal ? as in 2 feet deep (under the foundation of our house) and 4 feet wide! I can laugh at the imagery now but it sure wasn't funny while we were going through that valley, I'll tell you! I know now that my faith was being thoroughly tested and all I kept hearing God say to me throughout this whole ordeal was "Trust Me". Jesus allowed His disciples to experience many trials as a test of their faith, not the least of them the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 8:25). He doesn't want us to solve our problems our way, He wants us to lean on Him and trust His provision. My husband I did just that. We didn't wait to go to God as a last resort; no He was our first resort.
There is nothing too big nor too complicated God can't handle, after all, He created all things. He allows these adversities into our lives to get our attention, to grow us in Him. He tells us to abide in Him and He'll abide in us. That was the whole point and He really got my attention, again! You know, the whole situation was a learning experience in God's provision, in trusting Him. My dog understood that from the "get go".
He kept bringing the plumbers his toys, and "talking" to them which got us all laughing of course. The plumbing crew was one of the best I've ever had the misfortune to have to deal with (smile). They were so professional and worked so diligently and they did all they could to make a bad situation right again. The upside to this story: I was able to meet some new, hard working people last week. I was able to see my dog make a clown of himself.
I was able to play around with our shampooer in lieu of having a vacuum cleaner. Therefore my carpets got real clean AND I got a new vacuum! Lastly, my regular routine was changed up a lot which helped me get outside of myself to see all of the many blessings God has bestowed upon me. I was able, through the adversity, to see God's purpose. I may not have seen His purpose had He taken it away altogether.So, no matter the situation, know that God is in control and that He has very good reasons for allowing adversity into our lives..
Types of vacuums
Anyone with a carpet needs a vacuum to help keep it clean. There are many different types of vacuums on the market, and choosing the right style is easy with a little bit of information. Here are some types of vacuums and their benefits.
Upright Vacuums
These vacuums are used more for carpet than for bare floors. They are easy to store and to move around the house.
HEPA Vacuums
Best for those with allergies or asthma, these vacuums contain filters to clean the air. They are good options for home or office use.
Canister Vacuums
These vacuums are useful for stairs and bare floors, as they are very portable.
Stick Vacuums
Perhaps the most convenient vacuums to store, these are good for bare floors or area rugs.
Backpack Vacuums
These are very quiet to use.
They are also very portable and help you clean difficult-to-reach areas.
Hand-held Vacuums
Perhaps...
Vacuum cleaner > Types of vacuums
One-Step Hand Cleaning System Delivers One-Two Punch Against Soil, Toxic Metal Residues
Franklin, Massachusetts
September 23, 2004 - JNJ Industries' new GlobalTech? Hand Cleaner Wipes are a one-step hand cleaning system in a saturated disposable wipe that cleans and dries hands, tools, and other surfaces instantly, removing dirt, oil, grease, and other common contaminants. Additionally, the product incorporates a chelating agent for the removal of lead and toxic metal residues from the skin and other surfaces. Waterless, and pleasantly citrus scented, JNJ's Hand Cleaner Wipes leave no residue ? so no rinsing is required ? and dries quickly, so that no towel or blower drying is needed, reducing waste, mess, and contamination. Used as a service pack, it can be used at the workstation or in the field, saving time and productivity by eliminating the need to leave the work area for hand cleaning.JNJ's Hand Cleaner is saturated in a tough, disposable wipe; the wipe itself is made from a hydro-entangled non-woven fabric formulated from a special blend of natural fibers...
Vacuum cleaner > One-Step Hand Cleaning System Delivers One-Two Punch Against Soil, Toxic Metal Residues
House Cleaning - The Benefits When It Comes To Selling
A property in a very sought after location was on the market. This property was a two bedded town house. The owner considered that because of its location he would have no trouble selling it and therefore it was not worth time or money in rectifying its defects.The house had previously been let. The tenants had disappeared in the middle of the night owing several months rent. Rather than re-let the property the owner decided to put it on the market.
12 weeks later and after 50
viewings not a single offer had come in. The agent finally convinced the seller to get the property cleaned up, its only defect!This is when we, Sparkle Cleaning Services were called in. Judging by what we found in the house the previous tenant had been something of a regular drinker! Much of it was still sticking to the kitchen floor! Also they were firm favourites of fried food as the cooker hob was caked in a thick layer of grease that had overflowed onto the floor and mixed with the beer! All...
Vacuum cleaner > House Cleaning - The Benefits When It Comes To Selling