“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
Years ago, probably in the 1990s, my husband and I enjoyed watching the popular sitcom, “Home Improvement” on TV. In the show, Tim Taylor, played by comedian Tim Allen, was characterized as a cocky, overambitious, accident-prone know-it-all. Tim joked around a lot, even at inappropriate times, much to the dismay of his wife, Jill.
On the show, Tim was a former top salesman for Binford Tools, and the “Home Improvement” show was based around his Binford-sponsored show, “Tool Time.” It was like a show within a show.
Because Tim was accident-prone as a handyman, there were often disasters on and off the set. Many “Tool Time” viewers assumed that the accidents on the show were done on purpose to demonstrate the consequences of using tools improperly. However, many of Tim’s accidents were caused by his devices being used in an over-the-top manner, designed to illustrate his mantra, “More power!”
While going down memory lane with this show, I also thought about Tim’s neighbor, Wilson W. Wilson, Jr. who was often the go-to guy for solving Tim’s many, and frequent problems. While the two engaged in conversation as Tim verbally grappled with his problems, Wilson’s eyes and forehead were only visible as he stood on the other side of Tim’s backyard fence. The viewers never saw his face; just another little quirky aspect of the show. Wilson was a strange kind of character but usually offered sage advice to Tim. In a funny kind of way, I liked his character a lot.
I got to thinking how we’d all probably like to have a trusted neighbor like Wilson on the other side of the fence, always there for us; and someone who has the wisdom we often need. In reality, that usually isn’t the case. But, we do have Someone. So, let’s take these thoughts to a much higher level, if we may.
Although we have never seen the face of God, He has given us many ways to recognize Him. He has the greatest wisdom anywhere. Talk about sage advice! He’s got it! He is always working behind the scenes in ways we don’t know about and many times don’t understand. He has a good plan for each of us, our family members, and our friends. Things might not point that way, but we must remain trustful, hopeful, prayerful, optimistic, and faithful to our beliefs and what we know to be His truth. He never leaves us and is always there to help us in those situations of life where we need extra strength and wisdom.
We all have needs and concerns and we, too, grapple with hard places in our lives. I am confident, based on God’s Word, that He sees each of His children and He knows what we are going through. We will never be alone in our hard seasons of life. Through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, He will bring peace, guidance, comfort, and the wisdom we need to continue to let our light shine in the darkness of any situation that we face. Only He can do that!
Prayer: Dear God, we thank You for being our perfect Heavenly Father. How comforting it is to know that we can call on You at any time day or night. I pray for all who are experiencing trying times; and who need someone they can trust. May they lift their concerns and hearts upward to You, the only One who will give them security, hope, and the peace they need to go forward. We pray this in the name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
