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Last time we visited the deck on May 21, it had been prepped for paint, but it was under 12 inches of snow! Now it’s done, and it’s a story worth telling.

First, I had hired a handyman to do the whole thing. The paint for the deck floor is heavy, and the last time, about 6 years ago, I put it down myself and couldn’t use my hand for a week! The handyman wrote a proposal and even met me at Home Depot to pick out the paint. Then, a few days later, he abruptly pulled out. Now what? 

I called my friend Thomas, a physician’s assistant and part-time handyman, and asked if he would do it…and I will pay you! He considered the work a blessing since he could use the extra money. So there was the first answer to prayer and a win-win.

Then, as I wrote earlier, the snow intervened, and we had to wait for it to dry and find a window in between rain storms. The afternoon he planned to paint the deck floor rain was originally forecast. I asked the Lord to please hold the rain. The day dawned with the rain forecast removed. He started. Then, partway in, there were severe weather warnings for our area! He switched to a smaller deck under cover, and I continued to pray. To make a long story short, we got only a few drops of rain, and he finished the floors of all three decks. Praise the Lord!

That left the spindles: three decks, 275(!) spindles. After I worked two hours (one hour on each of two days), I realized I needed help. I had neither the time nor the stamina to do it. So I prayed again. 

While I was walking the dog on Wednesday, 17-year-old Sam, who lives across the street, drove into his driveway. I asked him if he wanted a painting job. Turns out he had just left his job at Papa John’s and wanted the work. He did 3 hours that afternoon, showed up at 8:15 a.m. the next morning and did 4 hours before leaving for a prior engagement. We worked 7 hours the third day and finished. I did some of the work on the outside of the decks, but he did ALL the spindles. The work was hard. “I have a lot more respect for painters now,” he said. But he was proud of a finished job well done. “I’m going to take some pictures to show my mother!” 

And, on the third day, over pizza, he and I had a serious conversation about spiritual things. That part of the story isn’t over!

You do not have because you do not ask. (James 4.2, NKJV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3.5, 6, NKJV)

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8.28, NKVJ)