March 25, 2006: Saturday - Flats called Jobs

While I was in an anxious mood, I called our daughter. She was puzzled. Why was I going through ups and downs when the beautiful promises given me over the past few weeks should be giving me a calm assurance?

I explained that this experience is a journey where the trip is not along a 'flat road.' Our experiences in life, generally speaking, and in particular through trials aren’t meant to be like this ______ (a flat road). Life is full of ‘hills’ and ‘valleys’. If it wasn’t, would we know really, what happiness is? If all our experiences were the same, how would we know, how would we recognize when to be grateful, etc?
(Moses 6:55 -- ... "the children of men... taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good."

Much later, my sister, Roberta, sent a forwarded email. It was graphically illustrated and summed up nicely what I tried to explain earlier to Lisa.

The road to success is not Straight.

There is a curve called Failure,
a loop called Confusion,
speed bumps called Friends,
red lights called Enemies,
caution lights called Family.

You will have flats called Jobs.

But, if you have a spare called Determination,
an engine called Perseverance,
insurance called Faith,
a driver called Jesus,
you will make it to a place called Success.

(Philippians 4:13 --- "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.")