January 25. Jim Shoemaker. Jim is a plumber. A man with a skill.
The official line is that plumbers typically work a regular eight-to-ten-hour shift, but there are always emergencies and urgencies that make weekend and evening work necessary. Jim is a busy plumber, but he has a skill, and he knows how to use it to serve Christ. Listen to this.
When opportunity knocks, step up.
Jim was one of two plumbers in the area, and as usual, he was swamped with work. But when he heard an elderly couple were hauling water from the church, he decided it was time for a visit.
Jim had met the couple; the man had severe COPD, and his wife spent her days taking care of him. Their only income was a small disability check.
When he sat with them in their living room, Jim said, “We’ve missed you at Sunday services. I wanted to come by and check on you and let you know you’ve been missed.” Jim continued, “I couldn’t help but see water jugs on the counter. Are you having water problems?”
The man explained that a winter storm had frozen their water pipes. They burst, and the water-heater elements had burned out.
The elderly man told Jim they had hired a plumber to do the work, and he promised a good deal on the labor, but he had asked for the money in advance. They gave him their last penny, but he skipped town the same day. The elderly man said he knew better than to pay the repair man in advance, but they were in such a desperate situation, he had ignored his better judgment.
Jim’s anger burned. How could anyone be so heartless as to take advantage of an elderly couple struggling to make ends meet? Jim said, “I would like to check out the pipes and see exactly what’s needed to make the repairs. I already know where I can get a good deal on a water heater.”
The man began to shake his head.
But Jim said, “I’ll not take no for an answer. The Lord has blessed me so I can be a blessing to others.”
“What will your wife say? We don’t want to cause you all any trouble.”
Jim knew from similar situations his wife Pat would support whatever they needed to do to help the couple. Jim was so adamant the man and his wife realized it was pointless to argue with him.
Jim worked four twelve-hour days and finished the job. He salvaged what he could of the old pipes and was able to get a used water heater for three-hundred dollars.
When Jim was done, he praised God for giving him the ability and financial means to help others who weren’t as fortunate as he. He then told the man’s wife the job was finished, and she could turn the water on.
Her eyes filled with tears, but this time they were tears of joy. As Jim got into his car to leave, the man hollered, “Brother Jim, we will see you in church this Sunday.”
Jim waved and drove off.
Later, the pastor phoned and said the church would pay the bill.
That didn’t sit right. The bill would have to go to some committee and be voted on by the congregation. The whole church would know Jim’s friends’ business. Jim let the pastor know he wouldn’t be delivering a bill. This was a private matter, and it was done.
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” (1 John 3:17 NIV).
Your skill is a God-given resource; be ready to use it. When opportunity knocks, step up.
Story based on an interview with Jim Shoemaker, 2019.