Unwasted Waiting
We’ve all had those home repairs that drag on longer than they should. What I didn’t expect was for our dishwasher to become a teacher of patience, frustration, and, ultimately, gratitude.
It all started over a month ago. Suddenly, the dishwasher decided to run for a few minutes, then stop. A few years ago, we encountered a similar issue with a different dishwasher and were advised that the problem was with the electric panel. This time, I ordered and replaced the part rather than the whole unit. Even after replacing the part, it capped out at 25 minutes into the cycle.
I decided to contact Sears and received some good news: I had paid for an extended warranty, which was still active. A technician visit and any repairs would be covered!
When the technician arrived for what I thought would be a simple diagnostic, he determined that the dishwasher’s power cord needed to be replaced and noted damage to the outlet. Inconvenient, yes—but straightforward. I scheduled our electrician for the very next day. Problem solved, right?
Not quite. When the electrician arrived, we realized the dishwasher had been reinstalled crookedly by the technician. It was wedged so tightly in place that even the electrician couldn’t get it back out. That one mistake turned a simple fix into a much bigger problem.
Still, I tried to stay optimistic. I scheduled the power cord installation for after we returned from vacation. I woke up early to be ready for the 8:00–5:00 window. Before noon, I received a text canceling my appointment. I rescheduled and repeated this process—waking up early only to receive another cancellation. Each time, an automated message informed me my appointment was canceled “due to unforeseen circumstances.” After much searching, I finally found a number that connected me to a human. Those hours on the phone led to promises of “high priority” and “guaranteed” appointments.
Again, I woke early, this time ready for a 7:00–6:00 window. At 10:30 that morning, a technician called and said he was on the way. Finally, some progress! Then came the kicker: “Do you have the part?” he asked. I was stunned. “Um… no. Sears has the part.” He promised to call back. Instead, at 11:00, I received another automated update—my appointment was pushed off yet again.
At this point, we had four cancellations and a crooked, nonfunctional dishwasher still sitting in the kitchen. I wish I could tell you I handled it with grace. The truth is, frustration bubbled over more than once. It seemed ridiculous. It still does.
I asked the technician if he had a supervisor. He said I had to call the 800 number—the same one with nothing but automation. Apparently, that’s also the only number the technicians have. My eyes were opened to how and why Sears failed. I called my live agent number again and added to my original complaint.
I am beyond frustrated, but God has been using this inconvenience to remind me of two things: patience and gratitude. James 1:3 tells us, “The testing of your faith produces patience.” Patience isn’t automatic. It grows in the waiting, in the irritation, in the circumstances beyond our control. Every canceled appointment has been a test: Will I let this steal my joy, or will I practice patience in the middle of the mess?
The second lesson is gratitude. Gratitude doesn’t make the dishwasher work, but it reframes my perspective. I’ve had to remind myself: I’m grateful we even have a dishwasher. Grateful for food to cook, even if the dishes pile up. Grateful for an electrician willing to help, even if the problem wasn’t his to fix.
The dishwasher still isn’t repaired, but God often does His deepest work in us when things aren’t neatly resolved. The waiting isn’t wasted—it shapes us into people who can be both patient and grateful, even in the middle of life’s crooked dishwashers.
In the meantime? The kids are getting some valuable “old-fashioned life lessons” washing dishes by hand. Maybe patience isn’t the only thing God is teaching in our kitchen.