God’s Plan in Trials and Tribulations

I had been feeling set upon the week before I got to CH Spurgeon’s devotional for the morning of May 22^nd. I had made a pack with myself to read some religious material each day instead of the giant cram sessions I am famous for. As age proceeds, I don’t have the energy or attention span that I did when my steel trap mind wasn’t rusty.

His first sentence said eloquently what I was whining about to myself all week: “Changeful experience often leads the anxious believer to inquire ‘Why is it thus with me?’” It’s been a long time since I had a true “pity party.” Pastor Spurgeon’s writings have been having a calming effect on me so this is what just what the doctor ordered. I mean, God.

He digs a bit deeper “Is this part of God’s plan with me?” he rhetorically asks his audience. He answers himself with a resounding Yes. Over the centuries, hundreds if not thousands of religious leaders and counselors have tried to explain this answer. I’m sure most people heard of Kushner's book “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.” Spurgeon is one of the few I’ve read that hits the spot for me. The old English works for me though it might not for others. He simply says “These trials are for the testing and strengthening of your faith…they are winds which waft your ship the more swiftly towards the desired haven.”

He concludes with this lovely verse “Oh, think not, believer, that your sorrows are out of God’s plan; they are necessary parts of it. “We must, through much tribulation, enter the kingdom.” Learn, then, even to ‘count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.’”

Source: http://www.gospelweb.net/MESpurgeon/MESpur0522.htm

My Close Encounter with the Prince of Wales

My first real job after college was as a junior programmer at the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) in Chicago. Ron and I lived in the suburbs so he could play golf as much as humanly possible. I would accompany him sometimes so I had a basic sense of golf courtesy.

One Friday afternoon, my co-worker Carol Z. asked me if I had ever been to a polo match. Bostonians do not do polo matches I summarily informed her. Carol was not deterred. She added that Prince Charles would be playing in the match. I’m an American and don’t do royalty. Plus, there’s the whole Boston being the heart of the rebellion thing. However, I was intrigued by taking the rest of the afternoon off from work, and, more importantly, the promise of drinks afterward.

We went to my apartment to change into our polo finery. For me, it was a $20 polyester sundress, $20 pair of white high-heeled sandals, and a free pair of nylon white gloves from my mother-in-law. Carol was a dancer in another life. Tall, thin, and elegant. We thought we were the cat’s meow. So, off to see the wizard. I mean the Prince of Wales.

The polo match was held at one of the suburban golf courses in Oakbrook and Carol found parking for her old Chevy Nova on one of the luxury side streets. (We’re lucky she didn’t get towed!) We walked across the greens poking high-heel holes in the soft ground. (I kept thinking Ron would have a stroke if he knew.) Unfortunately, all the cheap tickets were gone. Not wanting to waste the trip, Carol and I skirted the fence behind the courtesy tents. That’s where the rich and famous hung out drinking libations I had only heard about from TV.

Carol asked me if I spoke any foreign languages so I decided to babble in pseudo French. I was young so it didn’t occur to me that the folks in the tents would know it was not really French. Anyway, we came to an open area with a gate, probably used to get the horses in and out. They players were flying back and forth and we were both excited. Not too long afterward, six Illinois State Troopers showed up. The oldest asked “What’s the matter, you girls can’t afford to buy a ticket?”

Normally, I would have spazzed big time at being called a girl. But it finally dawned on me that what we were doing was not Kosher. I was also outnumbered and outgunned so I sucked up my pride and said “Yes. Only the $50 tickets were left.” They let us watch a bit more of the match so I got to see Prince Charles, then they shooed us away.

For the next adventure, we went to Bennigan's and drank Gallo burgundy until we couldn't stand up. What happened next is a story for another day…