joy of nine9

Even today, in modern times, miracles happen when we are desperate, without recourse to any other solution to solve our problem. Then the Father supplies our needs. As parents of a large family, we depend on Him to supply a lot of the basic necessities. Not our wants but our needs. Even our sceptical children concede this is true.

We were completely oblivious at first to the fact we were part of an unexpected miracle  three years ago. In mid-January, when our furnace was serviced for its annual cleaning, the repairman red tagged our oil tank. This was just before the tank needed another delivery of oil. Red tagged means it is an environmental risk and companies are forbidden to fill it with oil.

Our last oil delivery was December 11, 2011. Michael’s uncle had a one-year-old tank worth $2,000.00 to give us if we could hold out till spring, using our small wood stove.

In case you don’t know, we live in Canada. It is cold here in the winter, very cold. Although we did keep the thermostat at 18 C (66 F) instead of 20 -21 C (70 F), we burned wood at the far end of the house. The original family built this house in 1886. We put insulation in the attic, the previous owner added a plastic vapour barrier to cut the wind but it takes a lot of fuel to keep this house habitable.

So we worried about how long the oil would last. Of course, we were on edge and kept dashing downstairs to look at the fuel gauge.

The needle moved incredibly slowly if at all.

Maybe the repairman accidental broke the oil gauge…..

So why was the furnace still operating?

It was a mild winter but ….still …. we had the oil tank filled on December 11, 2011!

We usually topped it up every three weeks when it was really cold outside.

THAT OLD FURNACE JUST NEVER STOPPED RUNNING!

It was quite disconcerting.

Finally near the end of February, 2012, we relaxed and enjoyed this unexpected miracle right into April.