THIS IS THE LIFE

Well, I’ve said very little about the recent surgery on my carotid artery. It’s not because I don’t like to talk about it…I do. I’ve not said much publicly because there are better things to talk about. Other people go through a whole lot worse things, but hardly say anything about it. You know what? Things happen!

I am not sure I even know whether some things are good or bad. I’ve experienced some “bad” things and looked back on it to discover that it really was good for me. Other times I outright rejoiced over “good” things that happened, to later realize they were bad for me.

I’ve decided to rejoice concerning whatever, knowing that God will harmonize everything that happens to me so it will work for my good. I’m not saying that a person is to develop a fatalistic view of life nor is one to let the enemy treat them like a doormat. There are some things we wouldn’t have to go through if we had developed a habit of talking to the Lord with a listening heart. The Father wants to lead us in such a way that we might be able to avoid a lot of hurt. However, I need to have regular attitude checks in order to keep an attitude of gratitude.

Let me end this important reminder with a true story. Syble’s mother and dad lived with us for a few years during the 1990s. Her dad had always been a happy, active, and pleasant man.

During his 90th year we became aware that he had a very serious heart valve problem. It was so serious he was restricted to a wheel chair. He also required an air compressor machine that we placed in an empty bedroom because of the unpleasant noise it produced. It had a long clear plastic air hose that could stretch into almost any room in our home so he could wear it for much needed oxygen.

One cold day in late February I was home studying. Since Syble and her mother had to go grocery shopping I moved into the living room to do my studying so I could be near Aaron, her dad, in case he were to need assistance.

The day was beautiful. It was clear and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. It was freezing outside so I had a good fire built up in the fireplace. At Aaron’s request I had gotten him a large slice of coconut cream pie from the refrigerator, which he could not have had if the women had been home. He had asked that the drape for the front room bay window be pulled back so he could see out.

Suddenly he said, “Ahhh! This is the life.” There he was…no strength to walk…in a wheelchair…an air compressor hose attached to his nose like a tether, in order to have life-giving air and he said, “Ahhh! This is the life.” I looked at him with an expression of surprise on my face and said, “What do you mean, This is the life?”

I’ll never forget his answer as long as I live. He said, “The sun is shining, it’s a beautiful cold day outside, the fire is roaring in the fireplace, I’m eating my favorite pie and you’re studying the Word of God...This is the life.”