Pam Padgett, member of the body of Christ
During the past few years grass has not grown well on the north side of my property. Where grass had previously grown nicely, about half of it was now dirt, which either blew around when it was dry, or turned to mud when it rained. I decided to have the grass in that area removed and replaced with rock and some shrubs.
I began looking for a landscape company a few months ago, wanting to talk with them and make a selection on which company to work with so the project could be done in the spring. The first company I called sent a landscape designer to develop a proposal. I enjoyed talking and working with her. She developed a design I like, and I signed a contract with this company.
I began looking for a landscape company a few months ago, wanting to talk with them and make a selection on which company to work with so the project could be done in the spring. The first company I called sent a landscape designer to develop a proposal. I enjoyed talking and working with her. She developed a design I like, and I signed a contract with this company.
I was told they would like to start my project the following week, the last week of February, if that was OK with me. Although this was much sooner than I had planned, my calendar was totally empty that week, and I agreed to this.
But that night I woke with concerns going through my mind, such as ...
-What about the sprinkler system? (It would need to be modified) Due to freezing temperatures we wait until May to startup sprinkler systems here.
-What about getting the internet line located? The line runs in the area that would be excavated. Internet is something I use throughout each day and evening.
-Was more material needed to make a gradual slope off the driveway?
-Could plantings be delayed until mid-May?
As things like this were swirling around in my mind, at first I was in a panic, thinking I had made a terrible decision in agreeing to start the project the following week. I called out to God for help, asking "What should I do?" Should I call the company as soon as they opened the following morning and delay the project until spring? To my mind, this seemed like what I should do, but how did God want me to deal with this?
As I prayed, reviewing all my concerns before God, I kept having the thought to call the company and ask about each of these things.
So the following morning I called the woman I have been working with. She explained how they deal with each of these things, and what she described sounded fine, very reasonable. This conversation completely dealt with all of my concerns, and I was in peace again, totally calm.
I marveled in what a fast, easy, and simple way this was.
Another concern I had was that our Home Owner's Association (HOA) requires submission of any landscape changes for them to review and approve. Although I submitted the landscape design right after I had agreed to the work starting the following week, a couple days went by with no word. I asked God if I should try to do something to get the work approved by the HOA? A strong assurance came over me that this would be taken care of before work began. I came to believe this assurance was from God, so I did nothing. The approval came through Thursday night before work began the following week.
Work started on Tuesday of this past week. All of the excavation and putting rock and mulch in place, as well as new gates, was completed by Friday evening. (I especially liked the the new gates which are very sturdy and look great!) In May, they plan to come back to plant new shrubs and flowers and run emitters to each plant. The men who did the work were pleasant and obviously very competent. And when they saw something that needed to be done, even if not specified in the design or contract, they took care of it.
I am very pleased with all that was done, and am especially glad that this part of the project is now complete, rather than waiting to start it in a few months. Although I wasn't doing any of the work, it was tiring to have the disruption of major work like this. Having only the plantings to be done in May sounds wonderful (and fun!) to me.
I am very grateful to God for leading me in the way to go, and the peace and gratitude this way brought to me.
==
One other thing ... early last month I was led to have a "backup" person for publishing the blog. I had been easily able to prepare the blog postings each day, so being led to have a backup person was a little surprising. But I asked one of our church members, Sandra Chupik, if she would do this and she took on that role. Her previous experience allowed her to quickly learn what to do. Since then, she has been preparing the "Scriptures" posting each day.
While the landscape project was going on, it was so helpful knowing that Sandra was taking care of the daily Scripture postings and could take care of the daily podcast posting, if needed. As it turned out, she didn't need to do anything with the podcasts, but knowing she was able to do this calmed me.
But that night I woke with concerns going through my mind, such as ...
-What about the sprinkler system? (It would need to be modified) Due to freezing temperatures we wait until May to startup sprinkler systems here.
-What about getting the internet line located? The line runs in the area that would be excavated. Internet is something I use throughout each day and evening.
-Was more material needed to make a gradual slope off the driveway?
-Could plantings be delayed until mid-May?
As I prayed, reviewing all my concerns before God, I kept having the thought to call the company and ask about each of these things.
So the following morning I called the woman I have been working with. She explained how they deal with each of these things, and what she described sounded fine, very reasonable. This conversation completely dealt with all of my concerns, and I was in peace again, totally calm.
I marveled in what a fast, easy, and simple way this was.
Another concern I had was that our Home Owner's Association (HOA) requires submission of any landscape changes for them to review and approve. Although I submitted the landscape design right after I had agreed to the work starting the following week, a couple days went by with no word. I asked God if I should try to do something to get the work approved by the HOA? A strong assurance came over me that this would be taken care of before work began. I came to believe this assurance was from God, so I did nothing. The approval came through Thursday night before work began the following week.
Work started on Tuesday of this past week. All of the excavation and putting rock and mulch in place, as well as new gates, was completed by Friday evening. (I especially liked the the new gates which are very sturdy and look great!) In May, they plan to come back to plant new shrubs and flowers and run emitters to each plant. The men who did the work were pleasant and obviously very competent. And when they saw something that needed to be done, even if not specified in the design or contract, they took care of it.
I am very pleased with all that was done, and am especially glad that this part of the project is now complete, rather than waiting to start it in a few months. Although I wasn't doing any of the work, it was tiring to have the disruption of major work like this. Having only the plantings to be done in May sounds wonderful (and fun!) to me.
I am very grateful to God for leading me in the way to go, and the peace and gratitude this way brought to me.
==
One other thing ... early last month I was led to have a "backup" person for publishing the blog. I had been easily able to prepare the blog postings each day, so being led to have a backup person was a little surprising. But I asked one of our church members, Sandra Chupik, if she would do this and she took on that role. Her previous experience allowed her to quickly learn what to do. Since then, she has been preparing the "Scriptures" posting each day.
While the landscape project was going on, it was so helpful knowing that Sandra was taking care of the daily Scripture postings and could take care of the daily podcast posting, if needed. As it turned out, she didn't need to do anything with the podcasts, but knowing she was able to do this calmed me.
Thinking of this reminds me that God knows exactly what we need now and in the future, and HE provides our needs, sometimes before we even know there is a need.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to HIS riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
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