by Rev. James L. Snyder I'm not one to complain, normally, unless the occasion calls for it. And, wouldn't you know, I got a collect call this week. Foolish me, I took it. It seems everybody has my number. With all the talk about rain, and how we need the rain, I feel a little uncomfortable talking about rain. However, rain is on my mind, and there is nothing I can do about it. I'm just glad to have something on my mind. An incident occurred bringing into focus the idea that certain things are inevitable, especially in my life. For example, if I have $18 in my wallet and I go to the grocery store the register will always say I owe $18.02. It seems in life I am always two cents short. I don't know why, because the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage is always giving me her two cents worth. I needed to go across town and make a certain purchase. It seemed like a simple enough task, and so I prepared to run the errand and make a quick trip of it. I got into the car and as I drove across town, there was not a cloud in the sky. I arrived at the parking lot of the store and as usual, I parked as far away as possible to force myself to walk. It's a noble idea most of the time. It fools me into thinking I'm exercising and I'm not that easily fooled, I assure you. My wife is forever encouraging me to exercise more. "You need to get out and exercise more," she is always saying to me. I'm not sure she has an interest in my health or just wants me out of her way for a few hours so she can get something done in the house. Either way, I try exercising as much as possible, which is why when I go to a store I endeavor to park as far away from the door as possible. I don't know if this has ever helped me, but at least I'm trying, and I can report to my wife, “I took a walk today.” Getting out of the car, I briskly walked to the entrance of the store carelessly whistling some odd tune. It was such a beautiful day for a walk, and I was rather pleased with myself. I love it when a plan comes together. Let me point out that when I walked into the store not a cloud graced the sky. Finishing my business, I headed out the door to my car. Just as I was about to leave one little raindrop fell upon my head. I smiled a knowing smile, confident the rain would not come before I got to my car. A person has a seventh sense about this sort of thing. After all, what is a little sprinkle? My confidence was about to suffer serious reassessment. The more I walked the faster the rain fell. Soon, raindrops kept falling on my head. Still, I believed I could make it to the car in good time. If you keep good thoughts about you, so I've been told, nothing adverse will happen. However, my plan began falling to pieces. About halfway between the store and my car, the heavens opened and it began to downpour; an old-fashioned gully washer. I was in a dilemma. To go back to the store would be the same distance and time as to go on to my car. No matter what I did, I was going to get wet. I decided to press forward at all cost. Both arms were clutching packages from the store and I was running as fast as I could toward my car, determined to make my destination. By the time I reached my car it was raining as fast as it could, and I was getting soaked to the bone. I grabbed for the door handle, and much to my surprise, it was locked. I had my keys, but they were in my pocket and both hands were hanging on to my purchases. I couldn't set the packages down because water was everywhere and I couldn't reach the keys in my pocket because of the packages. The more I struggled the harder it rained, and the harder it rained the wetter I became, and the wetter I became the angrier I got. Situations like this require a cool head, but at the time, mine was as hot as a barbecue grill. Have you ever noticed the more frustrated you are the less coordinated you become? After a few moments, which seemed like hours, I was able to jostle the packages around, reach into my pocket and retrieve my car keys. With a little balancing act, I maneuvered around and unlock the car door. Just as I opened the car door, the rain stopped and the sun came out smiling menacingly at me. I had a blue clear sky all the way home. The incident reminded me of a passage in the Bible. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 KJV ). Rain is inevitable, God’s grace is indomitable. ~~~ The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, 1471 Pine Road, Ocala, FL 34472. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores . Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com. Copyrighted © 2007 James Snyder. All rights reserved |
Believer's Bay
Sharing the Love of God with Common Sense