My 20-year-old clothes dryer worked fine until Thursday a couple of weeks ago. That’s when I pressed the start button and nothing happened.
I’m making an effort to get to know my community better so I asked for a recommendation on my subdivision’s Facebook group. Three people gave me the same name and number. He must be good so I called to request a repair. He’s one busy dude! I was put on his waiting list and it would be a week before he could come to take a look. I could call a different repair company, but I decided to use the time to consider my other options.
Option 1: Pull money from savings and purchase a new dryer. I went shopping and was educated about how cheaply new appliances are made. I had already discovered that after my washer quit in 2017; I bought a new one that had to be repaired three times in the first year. The salesman at one store told me I could expect 3-6 years service out of a less expensive dryer because “they don’t make them like they used to.” He said a Speed Queen is the only brand guaranteed to last 20 years and it was $900. Wow, I might like to spend my money some other way!
Option 2: Wait for a big sale on Speed Queens. I noticed a laundromat close to my house when I was out the day before. I could make do for a while. I might meet some interesting people there.
Option 3: Buy a used dryer. They were upwards of $75 for one in fair condition. I might be buying someone else’s trouble. I might as well spend that same amount of money to repair the one I have.
Option 4: Do without a dryer. I really don’t have to own a dryer. I only do one or two loads per week and I could hang the clothes outside to dry. I just wouldn’t wash clothes on a rainy day. I was fine with that option–my grandmother didn’t have a dryer until I was a teenager. I was familiar with hanging laundry on a line. So, I did a load of clothes and hung them on the back porch (see exhibit/photo 1). 
I laughed aloud when I dried my body on a stiff towel the next day. Just like at Nanny’s house when I was a kid! I washed sheets the next day and hung them over some folding tables in my bonus room. This is fine. I think I’ll call the repairman and cancel my appointment.
Option 5: I just love it when God presents an option I didn’t see coming! Someone else in my local FG group private messaged me and said he would come take a look at my dryer the next day. It felt right so I agreed. Jayrod came out as promised and within ten minutes found the problem was a fuse that was easily available online. The shipping cost more than the part. When the fuse arrived, Jayrod came out and installed it, cleaned 20 years of lint off the inside of the back of the dryer, and replaced some connectors that were badly worn. He asked me for duct tape to hold the dryer hose on. I didn’t know I was missing the clamp that is supposed to hold it. Total cost of repair and parts was about $77.
A couple of days later, Jayrod texted to make sure everything was still okay. Yep! My dryer is hotter than ever. It’s running as I type this. He is coming back this week to install an extra hose clamp he found in his supply stash. Free of charge!
Psalm 37:4 ~ Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
