Timing is everything...sometimes!

Debbie wanted me to tell you about one of the fun times that happened today. She is convinced that God was having a big laugh at this one. After our church service was completed today we had to make a quick stop at the house, after which we were going to head south to Home Depot in Roanoke so I could get another window covering completed.

Debbie went into the house and I was going to wait in the van. But as a joke on Debbie I went into the garage to get a yard tool that went along with a landscaping discussion we had been having on the way home. I got back into the van and started the engine so we would be ready to go when Debbie came out. Just as I turned the ignition to start the engine, Debbie accidentally set off the house alarm. Since it sounded just as I turned the ignition to start the engine, I thought I had set off the car alarm. So I went to work trying to shut it down, turning off the engine, clicking the switches, trying anything to get it to stop. Then I saw Debbie open the door from the kitchen to the garage and yell, "Honey, come here quick"! I wondered why she wanted me inside when I had a problem outside.

When I opened the car door, I knew then that it was the house alarm and not the car alarm that was sounding. And when the house alarm sounded, Gabriel went into a panic. Debbie had tried to clear it, but got excited, entered the wrong code and it just kept going. When I got in the house I was able to clear the alarm and she called the alarm company so they wouldn't send the police.

Then she asked -- "why didn't you come in when you heard the alarm going off?" All I could think was "oh brother, how will I explain this one?"! When I finally told her, she just rolled in laughter at the perfect timing of when the alarm went off as I started the van.

No more explanations needed! Yes, I know that the car alarm and house alarm are different. Yes, I know that starting the car doesn't usually set off the alarm. But then neither does going into the house usually set off the alarm. But today it all fit together at just the right moment.

Debbie still thinks God was just having a big laugh.

Maybe.