I emerged from my crawlspace completely soaked after discovering a burst pipe feeding the backyard hose faucet. When my wife had cranked it open to test for leaks, water had blasted me, the floor joists, and my freshly installed vapor barrier. I wasn’t exactly praising the Lord in that moment.
But after thinking about it, I realized something.
Apparently, that pipe had been leaking for quite some time. I had only used the backyard hose once since laying down the new white vapor barrier beneath the house. Before that, every time I used the hose last summer, I simply assumed any water I found on the dirt in the crawlspace was from a high water table after heavy rain or something similar. I never suspected a hidden plumbing problem.
Ironically, if I hadn’t been committed to finishing the crawlspace and installing that vapor barrier, I may never have discovered the leak.
Personal diligence and discipline revealed an underlying problem.
When we commit ourselves to God’s purpose, remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and genuinely seek to please Him, He may allow us to pass through some watery trials. But those trials are never pointless. They are often packed full of lessons, solutions, and opportunities for spiritual growth.
I certainly wasn’t happy climbing out of that crawlspace dripping wet. Yet if I hadn’t gotten soaked that day, I might have lived with that hidden leak for monthsāor longer. Instead, I ordered a new hose bib, bought the proper fittings, and just finished installing everything the other night.
No more leaks!
I’m grateful that God doesn’t simply allow problems into our lives without eventually revealing their purpose. Many trials expose hidden leaks in our faithāattitudes, fears, misplaced priorities, or areas where we’ve quietly trusted ourselves more than Him. Those leaks often remain unnoticed until the pressure comes.
Speaking from experience, getting soaked isn’t much fun.
But if the trial exposes something that needs repairing, itās worth every drop.
dailyarmor.blog 
Excellent ending to the story. always amazed at how when we do our part, God always shows up. My efforts prime the pump. That’s why these ten two-letter words are so dear to me: if it is to be, it is up to me. My efforts prime the pump. Thank you for sharing!
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Great advice, Grant! Thanks for your encouraging words today, brother!šš»š
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I enjoy reading about your projects around the house. You are such a handy and self-sufficient guy, brother Eric! This is also a great spiritual word picture. Sometimes, the root of our relationship issues with God is hidden deep within. We wonāt find it and fix it if we arenāt willing to get wet looking for it.
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Thanks for your encouraging comments, brother David! I like what you said about being willing to get wetā¦that will preach! Have a blessed day!šš»š
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You are so right! Sometimes we have to get wet to find the problem.
I’m amazed that you can squeeze into that crawl space! I would be too claustrophobic to get in there. Maybe that’s just another fear that I need to give to God? Have a blessed day, Eric!
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Thanks Heather! The crawlspace is 30ā high which is not badā¦some are two feet or even lessā¦that would have made my work substantially harder. I only had one incident that kind of scared me down there. When I first was down there cleaning out garbage and old wood, plastic, pipes, there was an area in the back corner that had a real fine white mold on the ground. As I worked it got kicked up and I began breathing it in my mask and the face seal got broken when I started frantically adjusting it. That led to me trying to hold my breath and crawling desperately toward the access hole 30 feet away.
When I emerged I ripped off the mask and was breathing hard in the laundry roomā¦sitting over the hole and wondering what my life had become.š
Itās all good now, the entire ground is sealed up with vapor barrier, as are the walls.šš»šš»šš»šššš
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I know enough about plumbing to realize that using that blue PEX, from inside the crawl space to the hose bib was a good call. No more broken pipe worries with PEX!
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So true! Thatās the first time Iāve used it and the Sharkbite fittings, but prepped them correctly and trust they should last a long time. And now I know to turn off the valve to the outside and also disconnect the hose and drain the pipe each winter.šš»šš»
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So true, Eric: “Trials are never pointless. They are often packed full of lessons, solutions, and opportunities for spiritual growth.” I can attest to the same. When the trials are passed, I can look back and say the distress was worth it because of what I learned. And God’s lessons always make for a better future going forward.
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Thanks Nancy! Iām thankful we can look back at past victories and use them confidently for future trials! Have a blessed day!šššš»
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I enjoyed your DIY video, Eric, and the message you conveyed. A crawl space would be challenging to work in, but your plumbing looks pristine. I don’t see any spiders. š·šøš±
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Ha! There are a few spiders but I donāt tolerate them wellā¦they are quickly defeated.š
Thanks and have a blessed day!ššš»
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If you lived near me, you would be the guy I’d call for plumbing needs! š Thank you again for another spiritual application to meditate upon. God bless you and your family today brother Eric š
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I would gladly help you out, brother Alan! Free of charge! Have a blessed day, my friend!šš»š
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