Built In Troubleshooters

 

When it comes to solving a problem with the computer, Al and I are usually mystified. We can relate to my mom, Maddie, who tried to learn how to write emails using a computer in her late 70’s.

 Mom’s computer had originally belonged to us; but when we upgraded to a newer model, we thought she might like to learn how to use it. This required driving from our home in Springville to her mobile home in Bakersfield so that we could start from the beginning, teaching her the various parts of the computer and how they were used.

It wasn’t easy for her. She had a difficult time just seeing the words on the small screen of the old computer, let alone successfully sending emails. Mom finally called us on the phone one afternoon.

 “Would you kids be upset if I gave up on the computer and switched back to the telephone?” she asked in an exasperated voice.

We laughed. “No mom, it’s okay.”

 She was happier using familiar modes of communication, including writing us a letter and dropping it in the mailbox each week.

Even though Al and I have been using the computer for many years, we still have no idea how it really works. Would it be easier to go back to the old typewriter, carbon paper and corrective tape to fix mistakes? A steel file box in which documents could be saved?  Hmmm…

Anyhow a few days ago the speakers on our fairly new PC quit working. I helped Al move the heavy computer desk away from the wall so that he could check the jack from the speakers to the tower and make sure everything was plugged in correctly.

Wading through the myriad of wires, he took the jack out and then plugged it back in; however there still was no sound coming through the speakers. We looked at each other.

“Well, maybe you could turn the computer off and then restart it,” I suggested. Sometimes that worked! But it didn’t, unfortunately.

Al decided to call the service that provided technical help, a service that has paid for itself many times over.  However, that day, it was closed. No help there.

So, he unplugged the speakers, stuck them in a bag and drove to a nearby computer store to see if a technician would be able to test them. Maybe the problem was in the speakers.

That seemed to be it! The speakers didn’t work when the service person tried them out on a store computer, so Al ended up buying a set of new ones. Problem solved! Well, not really.

When he got home, took them out of the box and hooked them up, he was dismayed to find that they didn’t work. What? Were the old speakers okay after all? They had been left at the store to be recycled in exchange for a coupon which Al used to buy the new ones.

The problem had to be with the computer. Uh oh, would we have to replace the computer?  Later that day, I decided to open the “Settings” icon on the computer screen and found something called “Troubleshooting Windows 11.” That sounded helpful.

Troubleshooting—figuring out where the problem is and then going through various steps to fix it. Our specific problem, “no sound coming from the speakers,” was listed in the troubleshooting menu.

 Up popped a question on the screen: “Can we run a diagnostic test to see where the problem is?” Yes, yes, yes! The diagnostic test only took a minute or two.

Then another message: “We found the problem. It appears that the system has been muted. Would you like us to unmute the system?”  Bingo! The sound was restored, thanks to the built in system of troubleshooting… and we didn’t have to buy a new computer!

When we open our hearts to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, God sends the Holy Spirit as our Counselor to dwell within us. As we give Him permission, the Holy Spirit begins troubleshooting, making us aware of sins that are keeping us from a close relationship to God.

It is the power of the Spirit that changes us from within. Will we listen and obey when we hear His voice?   

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139: 21-22 NIV)

Note on picture: We had many wonderful adventures with mom, including a helicopter trip over the island of Kauai when we three attended a family wedding there, 2010. She passed away just a few months later.