By Pete Hyde
A perfect Sunday afternoon opened up for some outside chores. I had a list of things to accomplish after worship and lunch. One of those items was to change a headlight bulb on my car. “Shouldn’t be too hard,” I thought to myself. But alas, nothing goes as planned. No, it would not be as easy as changing a bulb on my first new car, a 1973 Plymouth Duster – lime green, blacked out hood, white stripes, rally wheels, front bench seat – oh, but I reminisce too much. Just reach in, twist out the old bulb and twist in a new one. What happened to simple car maintenance?
The “Simple” task at hand included removing the plastic covering over the radiator (5 plastic screws), removing the headlight module (2 bolts) and loosening the front fender to get the module out of its nesting place in order to get to the bulb (3 bolts). Of course, I dropped one of the bolts and, as is always the case with dropped bolts, it rolled under the car to the very center of the vehicle just out of reach. “O my goodness,” I said under my breath as I went back in the garage to retrieve a broom.
Once the bolts had been removed and retrieved, there was the gentle, yet firm manipulation of the module to get it past the fender and front bumper and out of its computer-designed sleek front end without breaking a piece of plastic bodywork or scratching the paint. Though a little frustrated, I was happy I was not paying the dealership $190 dollars an hour for this task, and it was a pretty afternoon.
There! The module is out. No damage. Unscrew the cap and there it is – the gold at the end of the rainbow! But wait, it’s attached with a little clip that can’t be reached with my fingers. No wait, I can get it! My heart was beating with excitement. Out it popped. The new bulb had just a little difference in the housing. (Of course it did). So, another 45 minutes was spent trying to figure out how it all fit back together. Finally with the new bulb in it was time the get the module back where it belonged. It came out of there didn’t it? It should go right back in. “Right.” With careful, frustrated hands it finally popped back into place.
I dropped another bolt. Guess where it rolled. “O my goodness!” I said a little louder than before. I stood back for a second and patted myself on the back as I gazed at the module all back in place. Then, I looked to my right and sighed to myself, “Now there’s the other side.”
Most “DIY” projects never turn out the way we originally planned. They are more intricate, take more time and energy than we ever expected. Admit, you’ve been there. You’ve done that. I know you have. And no, I nor you are going to call anyone to help. I can do this. I can do this.
Though we may secretly giggle at ourselves at times like these (after the projects are finished, of course. There is no giggling during the process. “Oh my goodness!”). We look back on them and see we might have needed some help. The same is true for our life and spiritual journey. We are taught, “You can do this.” “You can do anything you put your mind to.” “You can be anything you want to be.” “Just do it.” “Climb that mountain.” “Be a success.” We are convinced we can do it all by ourselves and feel like a failure when we can’t and have to call in some help. But, calling in help is what God is waiting in the wings to do.
I imagine God standing in the background of our lives, arms folded, observing our every move. Sometimes God is laughing. Sometimes God is crying. Sometimes God is rooting for us. Sometimes He’s wishing we hadn’t gone in that direction. He stands there waiting to be called upon to help us with all of our situations. We just have to get out of our own way and let God help us through. He never promised us smooth sailing through life. He promised to walk with us through each situation and circumstance. “Hey Lord, I need some help,” should be the first step and not the last pleading, desperate cry as we sink in over our heads. God stands by ready to help you today and always. Thank you, Lord.
The hood closes, I stand back two and half hours after I started the project a little (maybe a lot) proud of myself. Then I think. I guess I should have tested them before I put it all back together.
Rev. Pete Hyde is the retired Pastor of the Santa Rosa Beach Community Church
Author: Sowal Editor
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