Good Morning from a chilly Northern Ireland. A particularly chilly Northern Ireland as our heating boiler packed in earlier this week, meaning we’ve been slowly freezing to death, huddled around electric radiators and under mountains of blankets. We’ve been waddling around like Eskimos in multiple layers as the gales howled outside. The highlight of the day was going to bed at night. Disappearing under the covers to be greeted by the welcoming embrace of the electric blanket.
Yesterday four plumbers toiled in the cold, wet conditions for hours to fit the new boiler. Eventually the switch was flicked and heat gradually filled our radiators. Hooded tops and thermal socks were cast aside and hot water flowed from taps as we rejoiced, vowing never to take simple pleasures such as heat, light and food for granted again. Yes, the plumbers were well paid, and supplied with hot drinks, biscuits, burgers and chips but they still went beyond the pale for us.
I later learnt that one of them had recently suffered a family bereavement but still came to work today because he was told we had a disabled daughter and heating Hannah’s downstairs extension was a must for us. The guy could easily have taken the day off and we’d have perfectly understood but he came to work as he wanted to help a family in need. I was blown away by the compassion of this rough, tough tradesman. It was an act of love and compassion.
I doubt very much if this guy is a churchgoer. He might not pray or have ever opened a Bible in his life but his actions would put many self-professed Christians to shame. Would I have done the same things in his shoes? I’m not so sure. But I’ll never forget his act of kindness and, as well as warming the frozen tundra of chez Black, he also warmed my heart. If Jesus walked the earth today he would probably be a plumber, fitting heating boilers for hapless families. Wet, cold, dirty work. That’s where he is in his element.
Black Thoughts 
1. If Jesus had been a plumber, he would have been a Roman.
2. I’m not sure what this guy’s religion has to do with his profession.
3. Do you have unions in Northern Ireland? He might be unionized & since it’s near the end of the year, he’s working for his health benefits & pension hours, because there’s only so many hours left in the working year. I know dudes like this.
4. & maybe work is how he grieves. I also know people like this. Many in my own family.
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It certainly restores faith in humanity! Well done to Super Mario! 😊
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Thank you 😊
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Jesus very likely had plumbing skills as his father Joseph was a craftsman, and that title in those days was not only carpentry it would also have been a skill working metals. Nazareth was a village -not much work there -he and Joseph and likely some of his brothers would have worked in Sepphoris, about 5 miles away -at that time a large township,populated by Jews,Romanised ethnic peoples, and Romans also. It had an architecture of houses, shops, places of worship,amphitheaters,a fortress and Roman baths!
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Very interesting, Tony. Love your knowledge of the history of this period 🙂
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That’s awesome! Was his name Nicholas 🙂
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Maybe Santa 🎅🏻
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Yes! Absolutely loved this! Thank you for sharing!❤️
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You’re welcome. Thank you 🙏🏻
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Loved this! You’ve reminded me of how Jesus set out to be alone and grieve the death of John the Baptist but quickly ended up tending to the crowd who sought Him out. It can be healing even in grief to go about our work and help others … and in doing so, we’re loving like Christ did, whether we realize it or not.
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Thank you for the support 🙂
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I don’t know about Jesus, but I think your plumber was really going the extra mile. If, as has been mentioned, it helps his grief by thinking about something else for a few hours then I still don’t think that takes away any of the kindness that he showed. He could have sat at home and watched telly. Good for him. Glad you’re all warm and cosy now! Ps I’ve got your book!!!
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Gosh. This is exciting. I’m nervous though as well. Lots of action in this one. Some military stuff which the Colonel may wish to cast an eye over for tactical & strategic accuracy 😬
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It will be fabulous of course. I’m not allowed it till Christmas though …. it has been removed from view!
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Bah. Can’t you sneak a little peek? 😬
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Naughty!
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Glad to hear your boiler is fixed and heat restored. Yes, I think you ran into a real gem of a human there. And I am afraid I have to concur with your thought that – regardless of his faith – he embodied Jesus better than a lot of the folks who go by his name. Best wishes for the week ahead!
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Thank you 😊 Hope you are having a great weekend
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I completely agree. Beautiful story.
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Thank you Laura 🙂
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If Jesus walked the earth today??? He is living in each of us at this very moment – some just make it more apparent!! Thank you for sharing a glimpse into the goodness of the holy human spirit and for warming my heart as your warmth is restored! So glad you are warm again! I hate being cold.
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Thank you.
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Just curious – why do you doubt very much that he is a church-goer? He sounds like the average guy at our church. Admittedly our church is special (in my biased opinion), but we are certainly not the only church living out our faith.
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❤️
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The kindness of stranger can be overwhelming. God bless that plumber!
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Most definitely 🙂
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I have encountered Jesus in many places. I firmly believe your plumber was heaven sent!!
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I don’t know but very grateful for him nonetheless 🙂
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What a kind and compassionate man…
This kind of compassion is innate…
As a Christian, I always pray to have a pure heart because I want my life to reflect that of Jesus’ — but yes, I fail the Lord sometimes… I need this kind of unfaltering compassion…
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He certainly was very kind. Thank you 😊
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Lovely. I love hearing about good people in the world.
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Your heating system isn’t electric? Being in Florida we hardly ever turn on the heat. Maybe once or twice a year if that. Great post glad your plumber was able to fix the problem and compassion was shown.
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It’s oil heating.
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Thank you for the story. It’s easy for us to get caught up in the difficult things and miss out on these little gems that cross our paths.
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You’re welcome 😊
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