It has been a hot summer here in Lubbock. We’ve been in our home for nearly ten years, and it is by far the longest Christi and I have lived in one place as adults.
We had it built back in 2009, and while it still seems “new” to us, there is mounting evidence that it isn’t a pristine new home. Most recent case in point: the air conditioner went out. Again. For the third time this summer.
Bandaid fixes are just exercises in futility. It is time for a new system.
Unfortunately, every time it has gone out this summer, it has been hotter than usual…not to mention always on a Friday.
First, it has had a slow refrigerant leak no one can find for the past three years. $400 and a sweaty weekend in June and that was remedied. Then a relay went out on the outdoor unit. Another $300 and a tough July weekend.
But Friday it took its last labored gasp. It’ll take at least $4000 to replace.
Now, let’s be clear: I’m NOT complaining. This isn’t an announcement for a new GoFundMe page. Part of being a grown up is watching the dollars you had lovingly intended for something fun and memorable go to things like washing machines and A/C units. It’s just the way it goes.
Part of me wants to be upset that our wounded A/C chose to limp along only to collapse and die on the hill of the hottest three-day stretch in our decade in Lubbock. Look at that graphic above, y’all. It’s gonna be 109 tomorrow.
But the other part of me is actually, well…thankful.
Christi called a local repair place, and within two hours they had two temporary units set up in the house to at least keep it habitable. As I type this, it’s 85 in the office. It’s not chilly…but it could be much worse.
And consider this: moments after I posted a woe-is-me attempt at humor on Facebook, several friends contacted me almost insisting we stay with them as long as we needed. One dear friend even brought a fan they weren’t using to help make us more comfortable.
And that’s when it hit me: sometimes when things are going perfectly, I imagine it’s hard for God to get my attention. It’s hard for Him to point out the favor He’s given and the grace He’s extended when I’m so busy frittering with the shiny new thing.
It’s when things are broken that we can truly see how blessed we are.
This is uncharted waters for my kids, but it’s not so unfamiliar to me. I can remember the day my dad came home with our very first air conditioner. Until that day, our 1500 sq ft house had never had it. I slept inside a tent most of the summer that I constructed each night from a box fan, a flat sheet, and some ankle weights to hold it in place.
Dad bought a massive window unit, cut a hole in the wall, framed it out, and plugged it in. I think I was probably five or six, and when he switched it on, the big compressor literally shook the floor beneath my feet.
And I hopped up and down for joy.
We had AIR.
But the funny thing is, had I been born with it, I wouldn’t have appreciated it. I would have resented its absence, to be sure. But I wouldn’t have silently screamed “YESSS!” every time my mom said, “let’s close the windows and turn on the air.”
It’s only when we’ve experienced living WITHOUT that we can truly appreciate living WITH.
So as I looked at this week’s forecast, the world would want me to zero in on Monday: no clouds. One hundred and nine degrees. No relief.
But that’s not what I see. I see Tuesday. Wonderful, glorious, merciful Tuesday. Eighty-eight degrees. Some cloud cover. And a thankful and grateful heart for a Lord who makes a way and friends who make a difference.
It also happens to be the day the A/C guys will be back to begin installing our new unit.