October 21 – “Roller Coaster”

Have you ever had one of those roller coaster days?  You know, everything that happens is either great and awesome and best-ever, or it's terrible, disappointing and depression-inducing.  Welcome to my world.  Or at least to my day today.    We got up early and went to the Galveston County Dog Racing Track in LaMarque.  No, we didn't decide to blow what money we had left and bet it all on the dachshund that reminds us most of Heidi.  That's where the Texas Windstorm Agency had set up shop.  We were among the first ones there – Yeah!  But we couldn't figure out how to get to the proper entrance – Awww!  After a kindly old security guard took pity on us and explained how to get there ("Take four lefts when you leave.  Left.  Left.  Left.  Left.  That last one you should be by the bank over there.  See it?").  Well, we could see it, but he never turned around or pointed.  Guess he was just making his speech of the day.  Following his directions, we found the entrance – Yeah!  But now there were even more cars in line – Awww!  We got in the check-in line, got to the front fairly quickly, and showed our policy – Yeah!  That meant we were ushered to a chair outside and told to wait until our number was called.  Awww!  A lady came out and said she was the bearer of bad news.  It seems the computers in Austin were down, so no paperwork could be filed – Awww!  Unless, of course you already had a confirmation that you had filed a claim – Yeah! (We had one).  We were moved up in line and were seen within about ten minutes – Yeah!  Then we were told to wait again – Awww!  Then our name was called and we were presented a check for Extra Living Expenses – Yeah!  But we had been there for two hours – Awww!   We finally talked to our contractor, and we got the guy we wanted – Yeah!  But we were still in the yellow zone, so he can't get permits yet – Awww!  Our neighbors Larry and Sandy came by with permits to do some work on their house.  Maybe there is hope for us – Yeah!  They are eleven feet, three inches above the mean flood plain.  We are only eight feet, three inches.  And the dividing line for issuing is eleven feet – Awww!   Up and down.  Up and down.  How long is this going to keep up?  Stuff like this makes me tired on the best of days.  With all this accompanying stress and pain and physical exertion … I'm tired.  Again.  But I know that – through it all – "it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."  (Philippians 2:13).   Father, I'm dizzy.  I've about reached the point where I just want to get off the roller coaster.  Could you give me some substantial good news soon?  Thanks.  Amen.