Of mice and men

I can identify with John Steinbeck's book entitled "Of mice and men"
That sums up my worldly experiences heretofore today.
Last night when I arrived back at my humble abode the power was off.
At first I thought there must be a power outage but the other folks at their respective residences didn't seem to be experiencing a lack of power.
So I checked the power cord connecting my trailer and the adjoining linkage.
Alas, it wasn't unplugged.
So I slumbered restlessly amidst the heat without a fan to cool me off.
I even dreamed I awoke and figured out my dilemma and power was restored. Only in my dreams!
Alas, I awoke and didn't have a clue why I was powerless.
So in the doom and gloom of a pitch-black environment I trod for Fayetteville.
Much to my chagrin it was only 3:10 a.m.
Nevertheless, I boldly traipsed to the University of Arkansas and recharged my phone.
So, I theorize a mouse chewed on the power cord ensconced in my trailer and cut off the power.
I purposely didn't eradicated the little creature because of one of the 10 commandments: Thou shalt not kill.
Now I wish I'd offed the little varmint.
Maybe he was getting revenge on me for playing my television too loud!
Maybe he was reeking revenge on me for not leaving the fan on all day!
Who knows what lurks in the mind of a measly mouse?
So I daydreamed nightmares of my future plight.
There's nothing to look forward to anymore when I get home.
No fan.
No DVD player to entertain me.
No more coffee in the mornings.
No more nuking food with my microwave.
No more reading without a light.
Why me!
Then, some friendly folks intervened and offered me some Good Samaritan deeds.
I got a ride from Community meals to the library.
Another kindly soul is going to give me a ride home later.
I even won "fictitious" money on Zynga poker.
So now I just gotta figure out how to find another power cord to restore my creature comfort of electricity.
And I've got to figure out whether it's nobler to slay the mouse or just forgive and forget!

Be an Andrew

In Central United Methodist Church today Senior Pastor Tony Hollifield challenged his parishioners to be an Andrew this summer.
He was referring to Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, who approached Jesus and Jesus saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the 10th hour.
One of the two which heard John the Baptist speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
He first findeth his own brother Simon and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is , being interpreted the Christ.
And he brought him to Jesus and when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jonah: thou shalt be called Cephas, (Peter) which is by interpretation, A stone.
So, Rev. Hollifield challenged us to make a list of seven people who need Jesus.
He implored us to Look Around and make that list.
II. Look Up! Pray for the welfare and the natural opportunities to approach these seven welfare cases.
III. Look Out! Invest time in these people and help them.
IV. Look Forward! Build bridges and go the extra mile for these wannabe Christians.
V. Look After! Stay close to them and encourage them. People don't care what you know until they know you care.
Be an Andrew!
Build a relationship and bring these people into the fellowship of your church.
Indeed.
I have a friend named Andrew who bestows his love on me by offering me a ride home during this long, hot summer.
Now it's my turn to pass it on to some of my fellow men who desire a better life.
That's my challenge this  summer.
I want to be an Andrew!