Troubles never come singly.
Misfortunes seldom arrive alone.
Calamities come in flocks.
Yes, I’m trying to dress up the age-old cliche “When it rains it pours.” Maybe the best upscale version is from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”: “When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions.”
Life in our household has recently exemplified this thought.
– Two drains stopped up – one in a bathtub and one in a bathroom sink.
– Two outdoor lights inoperable.
– Three toilets functioning improperly.
– One vehicle leaking water onto the floorboard.
– Another vehicle with a transmission that’s been replaced within the past two years, an axle that broke within the past few months, and a water pump that bit the dust within the past few weeks.
– A garage door that wouldn’t open.
– And a cooktop with multiple burners that are malfunctioning.
Yeah.
In the midst of reciting these woes to friends, I soon realized a new “take” on the situation was needed. Otherwise, I would just sound like a whiner – and that’s not something most people aspire to.
It was then that another saying from the past popped into my head: “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” It’s often attributed to Helen Keller, though its origins can be traced back to a proverb from a Persian poet.
Of course, when examined, it clearly underscores the importance of gratitude and perspective, illustrating the idea of appreciating one’s blessings and not taking them for granted, and suggesting that we should be thankful for what we have rather than focusing on what we lack.
Aaah. That definitely puts a different spin on the situation.
Instead of griping about three toilets not working, I should be thankful for having even one toilet, albeit semi-working. Many people in this world don’t have even that. And I should be thankful that there are experts available to fix the problem – and they have. And that we have enough means to take care of the situation.
Same thing with the stopped-up sink and tub, which are also now repaired. Yet even when they were not up to par, we had clean running water, a dishwasher that worked and another shower that was functioning fine. Thankfulness should be oozing from my pores. But for the grace of God, I could be one of the homeless.
The outdoor lights have also been revamped, the garage door now responds obediently to our commands, and the vehicles are dry inside and no longer make horrible screeching noises.
Which leads to this thought: Only 18% of the world’s population own an automobile – and we two scholars in the school of life have three, even if they are seasoned by the sands of time. Surely additional prayers of thanksgiving are in order.
As I continued my ponderings, several Bible verses came to mind that shed even more light on the situation.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
“… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” – Philippians 4:11-12.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” – James 1:2-4.
“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” – 2 Corinthians 4:17.
So in the face of our daily trials and tribulations, let’s not forget to express thanks for the blessings we often take for granted. After all, it should be our goal not to be just passengers on this journey of life, but navigators charting our course with grace and gratitude. Let’s embrace the showers, for they are just a precursor to the rainbow that awaits us.
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Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.
