Perspective

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like yours. (Psalm 86:8 )

I have just had one of “those” days.
A simple conversation with a co-worker turned into an “issue” and one
problem after another sprung up. I would no sooner seem to have a
handle on one thing when something or someone would add to the
list. It didn’t seem there was enough of me to go around and then, a
major issue came up at the very end of the day that could have led to
a catastrophic chain of events if we didn’t have a positive outcome in a
short amount of time.

Then, on the drive home, I was trapped in the middle of a long line of
slow-moving traffic and the guy who was holding up the traffic wouldn’t
pull over and let the dozen cars behind him pass, even though he had to
know he was only going 45 mph. Of course, this gave me time to ponder
which one of the two places I was supposed to be in at the same time
would be the best choice.

I had planned to treat my lovely wife to a birthday supper at her favorite
restaurant, but I forgot it was closed on Monday nights. So, we decided
to just get some of that not-the-greatest-pizza- in-the-world-that’sbeen-rotating –in-a-heated-display-case-for-longer-than-it-reallyshould-pizza at the convenience store and eat it in a local park.

Of course, there was an older couple having car trouble at the entrance
to the convenience store, and they needed help. It was probably just
dirty battery cables, but about 45 seconds after I started helping them,
a guy with some really bad teeth who was absolutely certain he knew
way more about such things than I ever did began diligently instructing
me as to how to turn the ignition key. When that didn’t work, he went
and got a hammer so he could bang on the starter. 

Seeing that he had the situation under control, I went and got the pizza.
I told the owner of the car a 5/16 inch wrench would loosen the battery
cables for cleaning or that a simple jump-start might be effective.
I was impressed with the size of the hammer Mr. Bad Teeth had
managed to find.
As my wife and I sat down to enjoy our pizza in the park, I noticed the
weather had turned downright gorgeous.  My lovely wife diligently,
patiently, and sympathetically listened to me whine about my day.
Then we went to church and prayed.
We prayed for people who would be undergoing open heart surgery
and people suffering from depression. We praised the Lord for His love
and His mercy. We prayed for the young and elderly.

I read Psalm 91 to a dear friend, which begins with this verse:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1 )

And my problems seemed very, very small in the shadow of that
almighty, awesome, loving, merciful, protecting God who sent His only
Son to die on a cross for me and take away all my sins.
And, looking back, I have to admit everything did turn out all right after
all–just like God knew it would.

Today’s Praise

I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2 )