I can’t believe it!
Look at the nations and watch — and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. – Habakkuk 1:5
We have all heard that wisest of sayings, “If it is too good to be true, it probably is.” I learned that lesson on the fairgrounds in Centralia, Illinois. It was July 4th and we drove into town for the fireworks. On our way to find the perfect place to view the fireworks, we passed by a booth with a man promising fortune with the roll of the dice. The game consisted of casting five dice into a box. The sum of the dice would indicate what prize one would receive. The promise was $100 for $.25 – how could one go wrong? I paid my quarter, rolled the dice and promptly lost my quarter – but not before the operator informed me that I could use that sum, pay some more money, roll again and win big. I paid, rolled and lost. Each time I lost I was promised that just one more roll would put me into the winners circle. I paid, I prayed, I played….. I lost. Ignoring the sensible woman at my side, I continued to loose our rent money – one quarter at a time. It wasn’t until I lost all of my money that the fever left – reality set in and I learned the full meaning of “If it sounds too good to be true, it is.”
However, other events in my life would seem to run contradictory to the saying. I was 10 years old and living in Hempstead, Long Island. My dad worked in Manhattan and drove his car to the railroad station each morning to catch the train into the city. A boy of 10 living in the suburbs of New York City found many ways to fill long summer days. There were trees to climb, snakes to catch and deposit bottles to exchange for candy. On this particular summer morning, the day loomed sunny, bright and adventurous as I wheeled my brand new, 10-speed, English racing bicycle out of the garage. I was on top of the world! My three-speed, narrow tired, black bike was the envy of every boy in the neighborhood. I felt on top of the world and ready for any adventure!
Now, the downside of my bicycle was that it was a 36-incher and I had a 30-inch body. Dad had screwed 2” x 4” blocks on the pedals to give me more room, but it was still too big. Dad duct taped a pillow around the bar so that I could sit in that and still reach the pedals. My dignity suffered, but I could still go riding! The only way I could mount the bike was to walk it next to the front stoop, place one leg over the seat, jump up and try to make sure I hit the pedals with both feet. Most times I missed and a little more than my dignity was wounded.
It was this background that I wheeled my bicycle up to the stoop just as Dad headed out of the house to his car. My ten year-old mind had a thought – wouldn’t it be cool to race Dad to the corner and show him how fast my bike is? I jumped on the seat – hitting both feet on the pedals – and raced out to the sidewalk. I headed south and saw Dad head north – bummer. I had to make a quick U-turn. Turning was a skill I hadn’t really mastered, so I maneuvered into the closest driveway to head out into the street. Picture this if you will – young boy on a too big bike turns into thaws e street between two parked cars without checking for traffic because he was intensely watching his father’s card back out of the driveway.
I heard my mother’s scream, the screech of the tires, the blaring horn and the neighbor lady’s piercing howl at the same time I felt the car bumper hit my leg. I placed my foot on the car bumper, looked at the ashen-faced driver and jumped off my bike. It was too good to believe – I had raced in front of a moving car and the car had defied every law of motion. The car stopped in a distance that can be described as nothing short of miraculous. I was unhurt. I should have been lying under the wheels of a 1952 Ford, but instead, I walked my bike into the back of the garage – to stay until I grew another 12 inches.
Even today when I share this story – it is unbelievable.
Such events may be unbelievable in the world’s eyes, but they are very believable for the Christian. For our Heavenly Father watches over His children – He sends His holy angels to watch over us, protect us, guide us. Does that mean that we purposely ride into the street without looking? No, we are commanded to watch. It does mean that when we fall short, God is there to watch – to protect.
Today I rejoice that I am here at Our Savior Lutheran School. God has gifted me with a remarkable staff – a talented staff – a caring staff. I may be in the hospital drinking barium, but I can rest assured knowing that God’s Lambs at Our Savior are being feed and cared for. I thank God He has led me to a place that I can experience healing. The medical doctors and surgeons have been outstanding in their plans, care, compassion and accommodation. I have spiritual comfort given by the pastors, I have a Christian wife by my side – it is too good to be true. I am humbled to count the blessings God has given to me – today.
Yet, do you not see His hand in your daily walk? Do you not see the child brought to faith by a Scripture or a story you shared? Do you not see the child discover the meaning behind the squiggly lines and call it “reading”? Do you not hear the “please” and “Thank you’s” spoken by polite young students? Do you not cry with their prayers and rejoice with their successes? Do you not see that God gives you the unbelievable – every day?
I thank God for all He has given to me – all He will give to me – and especially, today, this morning, I thank God for His unbelievable power and deeds.
Look at the nations and watch — and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. – Habakkuk 1:5
We have all heard that wisest of sayings, “If it is too good to be true, it probably is.” I learned that lesson on the fairgrounds in Centralia, Illinois. It was July 4th and we drove into town for the fireworks. On our way to find the perfect place to view the fireworks, we passed by a booth with a man promising fortune with the roll of the dice. The game consisted of casting five dice into a box. The sum of the dice would indicate what prize one would receive. The promise was $100 for $.25 – how could one go wrong? I paid my quarter, rolled the dice and promptly lost my quarter – but not before the operator informed me that I could use that sum, pay some more money, roll again and win big. I paid, rolled and lost. Each time I lost I was promised that just one more roll would put me into the winners circle. I paid, I prayed, I played….. I lost. Ignoring the sensible woman at my side, I continued to loose our rent money – one quarter at a time. It wasn’t until I lost all of my money that the fever left – reality set in and I learned the full meaning of “If it sounds too good to be true, it is.”
However, other events in my life would seem to run contradictory to the saying. I was 10 years old and living in Hempstead, Long Island. My dad worked in Manhattan and drove his car to the railroad station each morning to catch the train into the city. A boy of 10 living in the suburbs of New York City found many ways to fill long summer days. There were trees to climb, snakes to catch and deposit bottles to exchange for candy. On this particular summer morning, the day loomed sunny, bright and adventurous as I wheeled my brand new, 10-speed, English racing bicycle out of the garage. I was on top of the world! My three-speed, narrow tired, black bike was the envy of every boy in the neighborhood. I felt on top of the world and ready for any adventure!
Now, the downside of my bicycle was that it was a 36-incher and I had a 30-inch body. Dad had screwed 2” x 4” blocks on the pedals to give me more room, but it was still too big. Dad duct taped a pillow around the bar so that I could sit in that and still reach the pedals. My dignity suffered, but I could still go riding! The only way I could mount the bike was to walk it next to the front stoop, place one leg over the seat, jump up and try to make sure I hit the pedals with both feet. Most times I missed and a little more than my dignity was wounded.
It was this background that I wheeled my bicycle up to the stoop just as Dad headed out of the house to his car. My ten year-old mind had a thought – wouldn’t it be cool to race Dad to the corner and show him how fast my bike is? I jumped on the seat – hitting both feet on the pedals – and raced out to the sidewalk. I headed south and saw Dad head north – bummer. I had to make a quick U-turn. Turning was a skill I hadn’t really mastered, so I maneuvered into the closest driveway to head out into the street. Picture this if you will – young boy on a too big bike turns into thaws e street between two parked cars without checking for traffic because he was intensely watching his father’s card back out of the driveway.
I heard my mother’s scream, the screech of the tires, the blaring horn and the neighbor lady’s piercing howl at the same time I felt the car bumper hit my leg. I placed my foot on the car bumper, looked at the ashen-faced driver and jumped off my bike. It was too good to believe – I had raced in front of a moving car and the car had defied every law of motion. The car stopped in a distance that can be described as nothing short of miraculous. I was unhurt. I should have been lying under the wheels of a 1952 Ford, but instead, I walked my bike into the back of the garage – to stay until I grew another 12 inches.
Even today when I share this story – it is unbelievable.
Such events may be unbelievable in the world’s eyes, but they are very believable for the Christian. For our Heavenly Father watches over His children – He sends His holy angels to watch over us, protect us, guide us. Does that mean that we purposely ride into the street without looking? No, we are commanded to watch. It does mean that when we fall short, God is there to watch – to protect.
Today I rejoice that I am here at Our Savior Lutheran School. God has gifted me with a remarkable staff – a talented staff – a caring staff. I may be in the hospital drinking barium, but I can rest assured knowing that God’s Lambs at Our Savior are being feed and cared for. I thank God He has led me to a place that I can experience healing. The medical doctors and surgeons have been outstanding in their plans, care, compassion and accommodation. I have spiritual comfort given by the pastors, I have a Christian wife by my side – it is too good to be true. I am humbled to count the blessings God has given to me – today.
Yet, do you not see His hand in your daily walk? Do you not see the child brought to faith by a Scripture or a story you shared? Do you not see the child discover the meaning behind the squiggly lines and call it “reading”? Do you not hear the “please” and “Thank you’s” spoken by polite young students? Do you not cry with their prayers and rejoice with their successes? Do you not see that God gives you the unbelievable – every day?
I thank God for all He has given to me – all He will give to me – and especially, today, this morning, I thank God for His unbelievable power and deeds.