Get out and walk... hiking with Job!

Hello everyone!

I am the Great Procrastinator! I am slow to getting around to... just about anything. My intentions are, of course, well-intentioned, but I often need encouragement, a better perspective, and a nudge.

The other day, just as things are going terrifically ho-hum, Cari (Mrs. Stickman), came home from work with potential automotive issues. Seems that when she let up on the gas, the lights would dim considerably. Well... I'd look at in in the morning, in daylight. It was probably just a loose belt... I hoped.

Nope! Lots of anti-freeze all over the alternator, belts, etc., obviously a job for my trusty mechanic. Off I went to Wilkinson's Garage, for a water pump replacement, and a one-mile-ish hike home. I was thankful for the hike, and thankful that my troubles are small. (Can you believe a couple of muscles were just a little bit sore?!?)

I got to thinking... my troubles really ARE small.

I started reading the Bible start to finish, (one-year plan), the other day, but chronologically. I have started reading the book of Job. I suppose many of you know the story of Job, but I would like to share part of that story with you...

"JOB 1:13 One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house,
JOB 1:14 a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby,
JOB 1:15 and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
JOB 1:16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
JOB 1:17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
JOB 1:18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house,
JOB 1:19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!""

Now, there's a man with TROUBLES! (and that was just the beginning of his troubles!) But, what did he do? How did he handle it??? You can bet it was the wrong day to head to Las Vegas!!!

"JOB 1:20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship
JOB 1:21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.""

He PRAISED GOD! WOW! Isn't that the way we should be? We often don't even give God the Praise that is HIS when things are going "gee, golly, swell!".

...so we had to juggle a bit, with the truck, to get us both to work. Big DEAL! It all went well, Cari drove me to work, (Skowhegan Agway this week), for 8AM. Then she came home. She picked me up at Agway at 2PM, I drove her to the Hospital, to her work. I commented to her that I had considered that our troubles were nothing compared to Job's... I told her I loved her, and drove off. ... ...

I was returning to finish my work at Agway, when the truck started to pull to the left. Flat tire!?! Another hike!?! My blood pressure went up a bit, as I wasn't ready to hike! I swung it in to Irving's to get a shot of air, and as soon as I stopped, I realized the problem. I had a driver's side front brake hanging up, and it was getting HOT! (BP still going up a bit...)

I managed to get the truck back to Agway, a couple of places up the road. I only had a few minutes left of my lunch period left, so couldn't really work on it. I told myself... my troubles are small... I will Praise God!

I was really starting to think that ol' Job and I might be treading on some of the same trail. I was also giving some thought as to how I was going to get home, and, more importantly, how was Mrs. Stickman getting home? After all, it would be about an 8 mile nighthike. (I know that the Appalachian Trail is a wee bit longer, but still,... 8 miles...)I prayed that the brakes would release once it cooled down.

No nighthiking on this night. I finished the day, went to the truck, and LO, and BEHOLD, the brake had released once cooled down. I took it for a test drive... picked up the better half, picked up the car at Wilkinson's, and came home.

PRAISE GOD!

I know I really need to give more consideration to God. He deserves my Praise all the time. He deserves it even when it seems that He has forgotten to Bless me and mine. I will continue to pray for God's Blessings on you and yours. 'Till next time, Praise God, and God Bless you!

P.S. Check this out, Bible in a Year ... http://www.bibleinayear.org/signup.asp

Stickman