Have you ever worked on a project where one more thing turned into many more things?

That was my experience recently while renovating a bathroom sink.

Countless times when I work on home projects I find I don’t have everything I need with me. It requires me going back downstairs to get another screwdriver or wrench.

I think it’s hereditary because, when I was a kid, my dad often told me to go get this tool or that tool for him. I hated having to be the one to leave the job site to fetch a tool, knowing well enough that it wouldn’t be my only trip to the work bench.

On the other hand, when my kids were young, I loved how I could get them to go and bring me things that I had forgotten to gather when working on a project.

… I guess it’s true that what goes around comes around.

It’s one thing to have to go to the basement or garage to get something for a task, or to send someone else to do your dirty work. It’s a whole other matter when you have to go to the store to get what you need.

And this is why men have so many tools. They collect them over the years from running back and forth to the store. Thankfully, once you have every possible tool, it should save you a couple of trips to the hardware store over your life time. 

Well, last week I was replacing the bathroom sink and taps at our cottage. It’s not that hard of a job but, when plumbing is involved, there is never anything easy about it. 

The sink had already purchased the sink, but I first needed to make sure it fit the existing hole in the counter. I removed the old sink so I could measure and know exactly what I needed for the job. I thought by doing that I could save some time and trips to the hardware store.

When everything was apart, I realized the hole needed to be a little bigger. I had to borrow my brother’s jigsaw because I didn’t bring mine to the cottage. 

Once that was settled, I figured out all the parts I would need and headed to the hardware store. On my way home I was confident I could get it all done in one shot.

Boy, was I wrong. 

When I got home I realized the water lines didn’t come with the new taps, so I went back to the store for water lines. 

I had to go back a second time for silicone sealant. I’d originally purchased plumbers’ putty but that wasn’t what the instructions required.

At that point I thought I was done, but sadly I was not. 

The drain that came with the taps was for a sink with an overflow. I didn’t have that so back I went one more time to get a drain without an overflow.

… Four trips to the store and two trips to my brother’s cottage. 

Oh how I wish my kids were around so I could have sent them to the store.

Here’s the thing: Life is a little like that bathroom project of mine. We keep discovering that there is something more we need. Often we don’t know what to do. The great thing is we can go to God because, like that hardware store, He has everything we need. Seek Him first for what you need.

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: When have you had to make multiple trips to get what you need? Leave your comments and questions below.

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