Don't forget the simple things.

Every time is try to upgrade an electronic component within my electronic system at my house (internet, router, computer, printer, dvd, tv, etc) it is a big ordeal.

Every time!

Am I the only one? 

A couple of days ago I bought anew router to utilize some of equipment better and get a stronger signal throughout our house.

Mission accomplished.

Except, . . . . the printer did not work.  I spent 2 hours that evening trying to get it hooked up. 

NOt happnening.  Spent my lunch hour the next working on it.  Nope.  Nada.

Called a brilliant IT friends, and fellow minister Dean Daniel, and he had some ideas.  But over the phone, nothing worked.

1. I had already done the following:
2. Asked the printer to connect to the router.  Done.
3. asked the printer to connect with the lap top.  Done.
4. Asked the computer to talk to the printer.  Nope.  Offline.
5. Searched internet for solutions.  Found I was already doing what was being suggested.
6.  Went through process again.  Same result.
7. Searched internet for more reasonable solutions.
8. Tried it with my daughter's laptop.  Same result.
9. Reviewed and edited settings on printer.  Same result.
10. Reviewed and edited settings online for router and also for laptops.  Same result.
11. Uninstalled and re-installed software on two laptops.  Same result.
12. Took printer and threw it out front door . . . no just kidding.  Wanted to, but . . . .

So I finally bring the laptop to church and let Dean have a look.  He suggested I go to the Printer Folder, simply delete the printer driver, and ask the laptop to search for the printer on its own.

Why didn't I think of that?

So, I got home after a long day, deleted deleted the icon from the printer folder, searched for a wireless printer, the two machines started talking, and all those test prints started pouring out of the printer.

Success!!

All because of something simple.  Something that I didn't know.

And it reminded me that Christianity is about the simple things.  It helps having knowledgeable friends.  It helps having good communication.  It helps asking for help.  And sometimes, you just need a three step process.

I feel like I make things too complicated sometimes.  It is in my nature, and I fight it constantly.

And the simplest thing that we can do is to pray.  Pray.  Pray.  Pray.

And then talk about what God is showing us through prayer with knowledgeable friends.

And then you replace what is not working with something that will work.

Simple things.