Coffeetime: “BAD TIMES BUDDY”

Jim sat down at his desk that morning only to be immediately summoned into his supervisor’s office. Where he was assured that while he had been doing good work, he was also told that due to the company’s economic struggles, he was part of the layoffs in one month.

That evening still in shock, he slumped into the house, hugged his kids, and went into the kitchen where his wife was cooking dinner for the family. Reluctantly giving her the bad news, he saw her eyes widen in disbelief, and fill with tears. Then he watched as his normally upbeat and optimistic wife limped over to a barstool at the island, and began sobbing.

When she finally could speak through her hiccups, Jim learned that the iffy brakes on her car had finally failed at a busy intersection and she had caused a three-vehicle pileup that day. Her own visit to the emergency room had revealed only strained muscles, but the drivers of the other cars weren’t quite as fortunate. Broken limbs and car repair estimates were a part of their own lives for the next few weeks. 

Then she looked up through red-rimmed eyes and chokingly admitted the rest. Due to their financial difficulties in the last year, their car insurance payment hadn’t been paid for the last three months, so undoubtedly their insurance company would deny coverage of the accident.

Jim comforted and reassured Rhonda the best he could and then retreated to their bedroom to begin absorbing everything. And to start trying to wrap his trauma-fogged mind around unpaid bills, updating his resume, and job hunting. 

No other thoughts penetrated his world at that point. Not until he heard his oldest daughter scream a warning aimed at his six-year-old son. His head jerked up at the frantic sound in her voice, and then the yelp of their little dog. Leaping off the bed, he raced down the hall to the living room, where he was accustomed to seeing his son playing his strictly enforced one hour of computer games.

Not today.

Today Brian had decided to entertain himself by leaping from the back of the couch to chase their dog through the house. But the little dog had darted left instead of right. Brian had landed squarely onto top of Bama, who now lay moaning painfully on the floor. 

Their vet gravely pronounced surgery was next on the list for the day.

That night his best friend, Brad, came over to the house. He listened to their horror story, then assured Jim and Rhonda of his help through it all.

Reminds this writer of another Friend. “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not dismay, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41;10.

Horrible times do come, but He has promised His friends that He will be there. To never abandon us.