When the motor on our pump gave out, the repairman advised that we replace both the pump and motor. The cost was nearly six hundred dollars and we had about half of that amount. “How are we going to pay for this?” my worried wife asked.

“I don’t know, I replied.” But that day a check came in the mail to cover the total cost of the repair.

Two years later, about midnight, we discovered we were without water. I suspected the pump motor had failed again and would have to be replaced. When I gave my opinion about the problem to Pauline, she laughed. God’s faithfulness two years earlier had given her confidence that He would come through for us again.

This is what Paul, the apostle, had in mind when he explained that trouble develops patience which produces experience which in turn births hope (Romans 5:3-4). In other words, when we’ve encountered a difficulty and lived triumphantly through it, we have hope when another one shows up.

We were facing several large bills at that time and one more didn’t seem to make all that much difference. “What’s five hundred more to God?” Pauline asked, clearly enjoying the adventure. Her positive sense of humor under pressure increased my faith and I slept well that night.

Since I had to leave for an out of town speaking engagement the next day, I called a repairman early that morning. After inspecting our pump, he confirmed my midnight diagnosis, saying the pump and motor would have to be replaced again.

Dollar signs loomed.

Then, just before the repairman finished his work, a call came—from the person who had sent the check two years earlier on the day the pump had broken down. This caller, who knew nothing about our pump problems, wanted us to know that a check would be delivered to our home that day.

Our Lord’s timely supply sent me on my way to the speaking engagement thrilled with God’s care and eager to share this experience with my hearers. What I didn’t know was that in my absence the repairman recommended a more expensive procedure that would prevent these breakdowns from happening and that the check sent covered this extra cost. Though this adventure came our way many years ago, we’ve never had another water failure and the memory of this temporary one pumps up our faith whenever it comes to mind.

Approaching a check-out counter, the clerk’s name tag caught my eye.

“Faith,” it said, introducing its bearer to each customer coming through the line.

“What a nice name!” I exclaimed.

“My parents gave me a hard name to live by,” she replied.

“Are you going through a tough time?” I asked.

“Oh, yes!” She said; giving me an opportunity to invite her to place her faith in the One who can change today’s trials into tomorrow’s triumphs. Even those you face today!