The Ice Maker

Our refrigerator came with an ice maker but I had never taken the time to hook it up to a water line. This summer I got industrious, ran to the store for the parts, hooked up the ice maker, and waited for the blessing of ice.

As I waited I remembered something I learned a long time ago. I worked for a time at a heat and air conditioning company that also sold appliances including refrigerators. I was listening to the owner explain the ice maker to a customer one day when I heard him say, “After you get it home it takes about two weeks for the ice maker to start working properly. After that you will have all the ice you need.”

I questioned him at the time about the “two weeks.” I knew how they worked and mechanically there was no reason why it would not work from the time you install it. He explained to me that two weeks was the average time it takes for the customer to stop opening the freezer door and checking on the progress of the ice maker. It was a lesson on patience that had nothing to do with the ice maker itself.

Jesus said, “Do not worry…for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)

There is no substitute for time. There is no substitute for time spent in a relationship. There is not substitute for time spent in a relationship with a person or with God. Discipleship takes time. Marriage takes time. Friendship takes time.

Bro. Robin