Plumbing Problems and Providence

Anna peered at her cup as she poured a stream of cream into the coffee. She had boarded a bus on Monday and returned home this Wednesday morning, in part to escape the plumbing problems that plagued her. She had been away for two days; a friend had providentially invited her to visit. They had talked a lot and even laughed some; time together had been a soothing balm. And yet, Anna could never quite forget that the first plumber she had spoken to predicted her nearly new septic system had likely failed—the one that had cost most of what she had in the bank. But the second plumber she consulted had agreed that a toilet clog could be the culprit, and today he intended to take a snake to the task.
 
Though she desperately hoped the fiasco would be a simple fix, she could hardly believe it at times. After all, the plumbing had reacted similarly when the entire septic system had needed to be replaced after more than 40 years of use. Her time away had been so refreshing compared to this toilet trouble! A change is as good as a rest, and for Anna, fellowship at a friend’s home had been what she needed, her trials temporarily left behind.
 
Later that morning the plumber arrived; she asked him if he could check the septic tank first. Inside her cottage, Anna awaited the verdict with dread. Had the whole system somehow gone kaput? She found out when the plumber reappeared at the door: The septic-tank filter—the one Anna had no clue even existed—had simply been clogged and needed to be cleaned! Not long later she heard the toilet flush normally—a beautiful sound to Anna. She thanked the plumber for his help, and the Lord for once more meeting her need.