Upside to a Downside

The Downside

For a while, now, my wife has been having some health problems. As a matter of fact, every time we make a trip to the pharmacy at Target I am reminded of my vow – “in sickness and in health.” I just wish there was a little more of the “health” part.

Because of my wife’s health, she has finally had to go on short-term disability. She is just not able to work regular office hours anymore. Her pain becomes too unbearable. And because of her lost income, our family is having to seriously cut back in all areas (not that there was much room to cut).

In short, my wife is out of work and shall be receiving a little each month from her disability policy, but our already limited lifestyle is going to be more limited. I will continue to pastor and work a second job, but we’ll be OK. God has everything in control. If nothing else, I am finally going to have my wife at home where she wanted to be all along – just flat broke.

The Upside

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

So…..today we had family over for dinner after church. My wife prepared a wonderful meal, including one of my favorite deserts, banana pudding. Now, my wife makes good banana pudding, but she has never made it like my grandmother (God rest her soul) in Alabama did. It’s not just her, either. Few people have ever made banana pudding like my dearly departed country granny.

But today my wife nailed it!

One spoonful into my mouth was all it took to make me cry out, “THAT’S IT!” Something was radically different from what I expected, for my wife made banana pudding just like my granny did (bless her, Lord).

“What happened? What’s different?” I asked.

“We’re poor,” said my wife. “I had to make it from scratch.”

There evidently is an upside to every downside.  

In all things praise the Lord!