"My life is a real mess!" He said. "I either have highs or lows, Great things
happen or bad things happen."
"There was a point in my own life I thought the same thing. There was no average
day. When things were great they were super. I didn't have to worry about a
thing. Well, there was always one thing," I said.
"What was that?"
"I always knew that things would soon come crashing down all around me."
"That's it. That's what happens to me," he said pointing his finger at me.
"Like suddenly coming into some extra money. Before I could get to enjoy it, it
was gone," I told him.
"Yes, like something would go wrong with the car. There goes the money. I'd get
a tax refund and the hot water heater would break," he said.
"Right! Isn't that great?" I said.
"Yes. Wait a minute. What's great about it?"
"Well, a great thing happened and then something bad would happen. That's
great."
"How's that great?"
"Funny you should ask. What would have happened if you didn't get the tax refund
and the water heater broke?"
"Well..."
"What would you do if your car needed repair and you didn't have that money?"
"That's not right."
"You are looking at the extremes and not seeing the balance," I said.
"What?"
"You are choosing to see what was taken from you rather than what was given to
you. Instead of cursing the fact that you had to use the money, why not be
grateful for the fact that you had the money at just the right time?"
"Sure."
"Really. Imagine for a moment what this conversation would be like if you never
had the "highs" and only knew the "lows." You didn't get the money and still had
the car problems and the hot water heater broke."
"Okay, so that would be tough."
"What I had to learn was that God sometimes gives you the gift in advance of the
need. He gives you great days to get you through the not so great ones. He sends
you money before you need to spend it."
"I know you are right."
"This is what I call "balancing the extremes."
"Hmmm."
"It also applies to other things in life, like work, marriage, and family. We
are given so much to make up for all we need to sacrifice. We need to
acknowledge the gifts and be grateful for the extremes."
He sighed and then said, "Wait until I tell my wife the great news. She needs
new tires for her car and her muffler's shot."
"You're kidding right?"
"Just thought I'd catch you off balance," he said laughing.
Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com
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