By Dr. James L. Snyder
As
long as I can remember, and at my age that does not go back very far, I have
always been an early riser. I do not like to stay in bed any longer than I have
to. So much I want to do and so little time I need an early start every day.
This
past week an event happened that challenged my “early to rise” regimen.
As
usual, I rose early and headed for the kitchen for my cup of coffee. There is
no way I can start a day without first indulging in my early morning cup of
Joe.
Stumbling
to the kitchen, I stubbed my toe twice walking down the hallway and then tried
to turn on the kitchen lights.
When
I flipped the light switch, nothing happened. I mumbled to myself that the
light bulb probably burnt out.
I
tried several light switches in the kitchen and the dining room and none
worked. “Well,” I thought to myself, “I will start the coffee.” I fumbled my
way to where the coffee pot was and turned the switch on. Nothing happened.
There
was no electricity at all in the house. My challenge was to make sure the
electricity works before my wife got up. I could not let her know that we had
no electricity.
Then
it happened.
My
wife came stumbling down the hallway and the first thing out of her mouth was,
“Turn the lights on.”
I
explained to her that there was no electricity and nothing was working in the
house.
Fortunately,
I had my cell phone and was able to call the electric company only to find out
that the electricity in our neighborhood was out and the restoration in our
neighborhood was estimated to be at around 10 o’clock.
How
in the world can I survive without my cup of coffee until 10 o’clock in the
morning? The whole world is in danger!
I
never realized how important electricity was. I just took it for granted, paid
the bill every month and just enjoyed the appliances and the lights and most
important of all, the coffee pot.
As
much as I love my coffee pot, it does not work without the electricity. I had a
few words with the coffee pot, but it did not do any good. It wanted
electricity and would not work until it had electricity.
How legalistic!
Then
my wife said those terrible anticipated words, “Why don’t we go out for
breakfast this morning?”
Being
married as long as I have been, I realized this was not a question requiring an
answer, but rather it was something she wanted us to do.
What
I want to know is, will the electric company reimburse me for my early morning
breakfast? After all, it is their fault that we had to go out. If I ever miss
paying my bill, they always charge me late fees. Turnabout, I believe, is fair
play.
I
appreciate what David said, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD
will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk
uprightly” (Psalms 84:11).
Many
times, we never miss something until it is no longer available. I do not want
that to happen to me concerning God’s grace and mercy in my life.
