The Devil is in the wiring

​Last summer on our trip with iRV, the 24-foot RV, we experienced a short-time panic as the steps at the side door failed to retract when the engine started.  And then they retracted.  Over the winter we took iRV for a ride nearly every month.  If we exited through the side door, the steps always extended.  And, sometimes they retracted.  We investigated the cause of this intermittent problem and determined if one of us stood in a particular spot near the door, the steps would extend and retract, or extend part way, or retract halfway and then fully extend simply by shifting our weight.  We discovered there is a sensor attached to the screen door and its mate attached to the door frame.  However, we never did figure out a correction to the problem.
 
So, the Saturday before this year’s vacation we brought iRv to our condo in preparation for our 2020 trip north.  We loaded our clothes, food, bikes and cat care products; then did an equipment check to facilitate an early Sunday morning departure. All was well and the steps retracted nicely. Sunday morning, we loaded a howling Riley the Quisling (poor kitty), turned off the water and locked up the condo.  Alan (DH) reved up the motor and the steps did not move.  He inched us down the street a bit,  restarted the motor.  The steps retracted.  Yeah!  Then as we made the first turn, they popped out again.  Grr.  After a bit of fiddling with the sensor and its wires, the steps retracted.  The steps behaved, more or less, for the remainder of our vacation.  We are home.  RtheQ is happily sunning herself in the hottest room in the condo.  iRV is cleaned and back in storage.  And the steps are stuck out. 
 
Habits are kind of like those steps.  Most of the time our behavior is under control.  We are kind, loving and patient. Then for reasons we may not understand, long buried bad habits poke out their unwelcomed heads for a little glimpse, a leer around or a very long stare. 
 
In Colossians 3 Paul reminds us of the myriad of immoral behaviors we participate in while we are away from God.  Then he tells us the antidote to those bad behaviors Col. 3:12-17, ‘ 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.