Oftentimes I make broad pronouncements that come back to bite me in the – well you know.  I had just finished speaking at a great Ladies’ Tablescape Event at Southside Baptist Church, Southside, Alabama, where I had talked about how we could have joy in good times and bad ones. I asserted that attitude was more important in having joy than were circumstances. So often, God tests my sincerity.

The gym was the only place at the church that would hold all the gorgeous tables. Therefore, a high portable speaker’s platform was provided, along with steep steps to ascend to it. I’m not sixteen anymore and my knees know that.  As one of the men serving approached our table earlier, I asked him to assist me when it came my time to speak as there were no handrails. He did and then was Johnny-on-the-spot to offer his hand when I was ready to descend. Thank God for watching over me and for giving this gentleman supernatural strength for the moment, for I stumbled and almost “bought the farm” when I started down. Somehow, he steadied me and prevented my tumble.  I couldn’t help but wonder how “joyful” I would have been had I fallen. My mind traveled to my disastrous zip line misadventures several years ago when some words came out of my mouth that shocked me and were not becoming to a Christian. They weren’t joyous ones. (See “Bucket Lists” on my web site – www.barbaraeubanks.com)

This experience reminded me of another time my words were tested. It was several years back – the last time the stock market bottomed out. I was hosting our Lit Chicks (our literary critique group.) It was our December meeting, so the ladies were decked out in dressy Christmas attire, and I had prepared a luncheon fit for the dining room and good china. After we finished dessert, the conversation drifted from our latest writing accomplishments to how our portfolios (or at least theirs; I’m not sure I have enough to call it that) had taken a hit. I piously proclaimed, “I’m thankful my security doesn’t rest in material things.” About that time, I looked down and cried, “The diamond is missing from my ring.” All of the well-dressed ladies crawled around under the dining table helping me look for it to no avail. My security may not have rested in material things, but I was distressed, to say the least.

I thought about these trials today when I made another bold proclamation. I was discussing the Corona Virus and how it was hitting people my age hard. “If I perish, I perish,” I calmly said. Let’s hope this serenity and statement aren’t tested.

 In all seriousness, let’s join in prayer asking God to give us mercy, not justice, during these pandemic times; for if he gives us what we deserve, it would truly end this world.