Ups and Downs

First let me start with saying that the Joy Group had a wonderful trip to the Applewood Farmhouse Grill this past Saturday. Everyone that went talked very highly about how good the company, conversation, and food was; but I think the one thing that was highest on the list was the apple fritters they served.
I would also like to to say a big thank you to the Joy Group bus driver, Eddie Humphreys, who is always willing to take the group just about anywhere.

This past week has been a very interesting one for me and my family. I know that in life we all have our ups and downs, sometimes those ups and downs can be small and almost unnoticeable; but every once in a while those ups and downs can be so big that they take us on a major emotional roller coaster ride. For me this has been a roller coaster ride.
It all began last week with a very sick young man. See on Tuesday and Wednesday our son had some kind of stomach bug and was unable to go to school for two days (that's a down). Then by Thursday and Friday he was much better, able to go to school and even football practice (that's an up). Though by Saturday my wife wasn't feeling very well and may have possibly gotten the same bug (that's a down). Sunday I was scheduled to preach at Tacoma Church of God in Johnson City, and I love to preach (that's an up). Unfortunately after me and my wife returned to Greeneville to get our son we found that his thumb had been injured playing basketball in the gym at the church that night; and after taking him to the doctor on Monday morning we found that he has a hairline fracture in the bone in his thumb (that's a down). The good thing is that it's a very small fracture and should heal very well within three weeks (that's an up). But while I was at home with him on Monday, we started to notice that the house wasn't as cool as it should be; so after checking a few things I realized, the heat pump was not working. And we would have to call a professional (that's a down). Thankfully, in my line of work I have become very good friends with our HVAC repair man; so I called him and he came out and looked at our heat pump. The problem was very small and easy to fix, but the amazing thing is: he did not charge us a single penny, all because of the friendship we have developed (that's an up). All of this has happened in the past seven day time span, and I have to say I'm wondering just what might happen next; the fact is I just don't know.

There is another fact to consider though; that is the fact that no matter what happens, I trust and know that God is in control. No matter if life is up or down God is always there.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.

A servant of HIS,
John Deyton