Yay! The hole is all dug out and it’s time to lay the lining! All I have to do is unroll the lining, stretch it out over the hole, and start filling it water. Easy, right? That’s what all the videos show.

With my heart beating just a bit faster with anticipation, I began unrolling the lining. Unflopping it would be a better word. The lining was not rolled. It was folded. As I opened it up, there were multiple fold lines. Folds can be a source of weakness in a lining causing small leaks. The less folds the better. I knew that more fold lines would be created as I tried to mold it around curves in the pond, but to start out with them was a bit disappointing.

After fully unflopping the liner, my husband helped me to carry it over to the hole, which revealed problem number two: how to carry something that heavy above the twig and leaf covered ground. After many false starts, we gave up and just dragged it. Hopefully the lining was stronger than the reviews stated.

Once positioned, I carefully climbed down into the hole as water from the hose began filling it. I pushed and pulled, trying to take out as many folds and wrinkles as possible. It was impossible. But I kept at it until the water reached the lower shelves. I added some rocks to hold the liner in place.

 As I climbed out, I wondered why something that looked so easy on videos had been so hard for me. And then I remembered. In my hurry to get the fish into their new home before the coming freeze, I didn’t follow the helpful hint of letting the liner sit in the sun for a while to soften before trying to manipulate it.

At least the lining was in and the refilling had begun.

As I walked around the pond, I ran into yet another problem. The lining was supposed to cover both the dug out pond and the preformed plastic pond next to it to form one big pond. But in all the positioning, tugging, and pulling, somehow the lining twisted and it no longer covered the small pre-formed pond.

My vision was ruined. There was no going back without draining the pond again. And there was no way to maneuver the lining with the weight of the water laying on it.

After cutting a smaller lining and trying it in every direction possible to cover and link the two ponds together, I gave up. There was no way now to join the two ponds. By this point, I was ready to give up on the whole thing. I wanted to throw things at it or kick it or yell my frustration out at my husband. Instead, I went inside to shed a few tears. And to pray.

In life, how often do we try to accomplish our tasks on our own? Jesus will empower us to do the things He asks of us, but it doesn’t come automatically. We have to abide in Him.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples. John 8:31

Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:4

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. John 15:9

How do we abide in Jesus? What does that look like? Paul gave some instructions that we can follow.

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:18-21

What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 1 Corinthians 14:15

David is a great model for abiding in God.

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to this excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Psalm 150:1-6

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? Psalm 77:11-13

I will lift up my hands towards your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. Psalm 119:48

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. Psalm 63:5-7

Let’s soak in the Son before attempting big projects in our own strength and reasoning. Certainly the One who accomplished the greatest building project of all time can help us with our own.