It ain't all that bad, is it?

A buddy of mine is going through some very difficult times.  He had a pretty good job, and was secure in the knowledge that the company couldn’t get along without him. He was valuable, right?  And then, wouldn't you know it! Surprise surprise. He got a pink slip.  He wasn’t the only one to get laid off, but, that doesn't help much when it happens to you.  And, by the way, being 'laid off' is another way to say, 'you're fired!', right? They both amount to the same thing don’t they; that he's out of a job. 

Hey, it can’t get any worse than that, can it?   

But wait - there's more. More surprises!  It got worse. His car was repossessed!

He told me a few days later, “Life really sucks!”

Well, yeah, sometimes life sucks. But then, we know, 'bad things do happen to good people'.

Sure, bad things happen to good people; and they even happen to folks like you and me! How else do you explain a toothache, a hangnail, a splinter under a fingernail, or an exciting and most stimulating case of bleeding hemorrhoids?

Recently I, like most folks often do, went through a series of little setbacks.  I woke up one night to a most entertaining ear ache, and I haven’t had an ear ache since I was about knee-high to a short snake.  My advice is this: If at all possible, avoid ear aches. They hurt. 

My ear ache migrated from my right ear to my left ear.

My doctor gave me some antibiotics.

Now I am about as deaf as a rock. Or, maybe a clam. (I don’t think rocks have ears, do they?)

My doctor told me my hearing loss is temporary, and to 'enjoy it' while I can.  Enjoy it  he said!  (I think I am going to get a new doctor.)

As some of you are aware, my wife, my sweetie, my cuddle-bunny, my sugar cookie, is in a nursing home with early onset Alzheimer’s disease.  I have for the last seven years visited her on a daily basis.  Rarely have I missed a day.  And then, that fire breathing dragon of a  pandemic reared its ugly head and the powers-that-be cut off all visitation rights, which I understood, but I was pretty sure my darling didn't appreciate why I was ignoring her.

Yeah. Sometimes life sucks!

And yet...

We know that prayer works, don’t we? 

This morning I woke up, and after a brief study time and prayer, I played Mr. Chef and prepared a three egg, southwestern omelet arranged on big plate with a handful of fresh strawberries,  a banana, and a piece of warm toast, with a glass of lemon water with honey.  Now that is a pretty nice breakfast, any time!   

Yes, thank you Papa God!  And then, after all that good stuff, I sat my old wrinkled behind at my desk and began performing my two-fingered dance on the keyboard, and I have to say, that is a pretty good start to a new day.

No sir’ree Bob, life ain’t all that bad, nohow!

Dear Papa God, thank you so much for watching over each of us.  Bless each of your kids this day and help us to be what you are calling us to be.  Save your people and help us to know you better. Thank you Papa God for working your will in each of us.  Thank you for healing us mentally, physically and especially spiritually. Thank you for what you are doing in each of our lives. Praise you and thank you! In Jesus' most wonderful and Holy name, Amen

Charles Towne