That’s what I sensed the Lord saying to me this morning after praying about what happened with Randy yesterday. And what happened yesterday?
First, in case you don’t know, Randy is (or was until he quit yesterday) our maintenance man who was seriously injured in the fire that nearly destroyed our 1914 building Nov. 10th of last year. Thankfully, after six days on life-support at Lubbock’s University Medical Center and much prayer, he recovered and returned to work for us January 6th.
We were thrilled and so relieved to have him back. Randy has a tremendous skill-set–especially with plumbing. While he’s been here, he’s managed to solve several significant plumbing issues, saving us LOTS of $$ and tons of headaches, not to mention disgruntled renters who sometimes find other places to live as a result of those plumbing issues!
But over the past few weeks, there have been an increasing number of relatively minor, yet disturbing issues with Randy. And trust me, the last thing we need around here is more drama! 
So while in no way did we expect Tony, now our only maintenance man, to call yesterday morning to tell us that Randy was in jail, the result of a PI (public intoxication), and in need of someone to come bail him out, we weren’t completely surprised. Disappointed? Somewhat angry? Frustrated? Mildly…okay majorly irritated? YES! But surprised? {sigh}…not really. 
It also wasn’t a total surprise when, shortly after bailing him out, he handed in his keys and said, “I quit! I’m going back to Levelland!” (David tried to talk to him to find out what had happened, but he refused to discuss it and simply turned and walked away.)
Oh, and did I mention that prior to calling about Randy, Tony called asking if he could borrow Mom’s crutches? (Somehow he had strained his knee the night before. So, while David & I were on our way to get Randy, Tony and Mary were en route to the emergency room.)
Okay…so let’s recap what happened yesterday morning. In the space of less than an hour, one third of our work force was injured and unable to work while another third quit. And to this the Lord says, “Don’t be distracted!” Who me? Distracted? Whatever gave You that idea? 
I once heard someone say that if the enemy can’t stop you, his next-best strategy is to use diversionary tactics, trying to engage you–your attention and all your energies–in something…anything other than the main thing.
And what is the main thing? Glad you asked. 
For the past eight months, David and I have been a part of a house church. I shared a little about that in my Cultivating Community post back in January.
From the time we arrived here in Snyder, we’ve prayed and interceeded for everyone here at Cedar Row Apartments as well as the community. We knew we weren’t here just to take over the business or even just to help Mom and Dad; we’re on assignment from the Lord.
I wish I had had time this week to write a proper post (as David would say), sharing details about what happened on Wednesday. I did, however, have time to share this on Facebook:
Wonderful news from last evening: two of our renters prayed with Judy (of Wheel Power Christian Cyclists who was here with her motorcycle team) to receive the Lord as their personal Savior. {Use your imagination and insert trumpet blasts and jubilant shouts of praise here!}
With this most wonderful event came the green light to take the next step and invite Markie and Delora, the newbies, along with a few others here in the complex and those we’ve been gathering with on Thursday evenings (who aren’t already doing something on Sunday mornings) to meet with us at 10:00 A.M. this Sunday! Initially, we’re just going to meet here in our apartment. But if we run out of room–and it won’t take much for that to happen since our living room is rather small–we’ll simply go over to our 1910-1 apartment where we started this house church journey last September.
And that, my blog-reader friend, is the main thing!
So, how ’bout you? Have you ever had the enemy use diversionary tactics with you?
