Vol.XVII No.IV Pg.8
June 1980

Stuff About Things

Robert F. Turner

One morning I arose from bed, half asleep, and slipped my foot into a boot. A jolting, searing stab of hot pain brought me fully awake and aware that there was a scorpion in that boot, unhappy about his crowded condition. I removed my boot, promptly!

For several days afterwards I made elaborate examinations of my boots before putting them on — and then I rebelled at the slavery to fear created by that one unusual happening. The first time I dressed without checking my boots gave me a shaky moment, but all has been well since then. Mature people should not allow "accidents" or trivial circumstances to become the mold for life patterns.

A salesman approached the president of a large retail chain with his pitch for a green bean special. He reminded his prospect of the label's good reputation, of the special sale price, and then he opened a can of the beans and poured them into a bowl set before the president. There, on top of the beans, was a large green worm that had been inadvertently canned with the product. Yes, it can happen, but is very rare, indeed. The salesman was horrified, and without another word began to gather papers and samples to leave the office. But the president said, "I'll take 500 cases of those beans." Hardly believing his ears, the salesman made out the order and then, as he was leaving the room he turned to say, "Mr.______, I'll never forget you."

The president knew about canned beans, what we ought to know about human relations." Time and chance" happeneth to the swift, the strong , the wise, etc., (Eccl. 9:11). We demand perfection or nothing we will get nothing. If there is no room in our plans for unexpected, unusual, or even "undeserved" turns, we are being unrealistic. Successful people do not cry over spilled milk — they call and fatten their cat. But there are times when there seems no winning solution.

Perhaps this element in life has some deeper purpose; reminding us that we are never completely in control — that we wrestle with forces greater than our own — that we must have faith in the God of this universe, and be thankful for mercy from Him who careth for us (1 Pet. 5:7).