The Rough Side of a Bargain
December 21st, 2008Low Prices Sometimes Result from Pain
I appreciate all the helpful tips on the table saw. I hope it works out. I believe the main reasons for the good price are that nobody around here wants a big saw, and very few people have a circuit which will run a 5-horsepower motor. I guess the good Lord had something on his mind when I went crazy and put three 220 circuits in the garage.
I don’t want to miss the more important issue here. The seller no longer needs the saw, because his business went under. That is a very sad reason for a bargain. And he is not alone in these tough times. The other day I learned that a family I know has been under great financial strain.
In the past, when I prayed for people, I just prayed that God would fix their problems. I now think that’s wrong. Aaron informed me that one of the Jewish words for prayer really means something more like “self-examination.” Problems are often the result of the way we live. Virtually everyone has something in his or her life that needs to be made right. These days, I pray that God will help people with their adversities, but I also pray that he will help them search themselves and change and come to serve and know him better.
Maybe you could join me in praying for those things today, for the guy with the saw, and for my friends.
Today my sister and I are going to Wayne Cochran’s church. She’s disappointed because they’re putting on a Christmas play. She wanted to hear him speak. Oh, well. It sure beats what we were doing on the Sunday before Christmas last year.
December 21st, 2008 at 10:17 AM
“The seller no longer needs the saw, because his business went under.”
Thats a tough deal, Steve. I’m sure it makes you want to give a little extra (No… don’t tell me…).
Times are tough, and I feel they are going to get alot tougher. It seems that when things are going too good, people have a hard time handling it. Likewise, when things are going too bad.
Can’t we have just a little moderate prosperity for a change, hmmmm?
December 21st, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Prayer? Read John 2:1-10. Note how Jesus’s mother NEVER ASKS HIM FOR ANYTHING. She lays out the situation, and instructs the attendants “Do what he tells you”. God know what we need, and what we want, and what we ought to have. Our part is to acknowledge our dependence on Him, and our resolution to accept what He sends us.
That’s the Orthodox way. Take whatever action you think is appropriate.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:48 AM
Steve? – God knows. In faith, and even through the worst of times (I contracted Lyme recently: but not recent enough to make the cure a sure bet) you just hold on and figure the Big Guy knows what He’s doin’. We go on. All of us. Enjoy the saw …don’t practice guilt over it. It’s a blessing (funny how that works out …or ironic: depends).
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:01 PM
The seller was lucky to find you, and you him. Pray for him but don’t feel guilt. And you might let him know you pray for him, sometimes that does help to know you are being prayed for.