Trials

Today, I got the news that my dad's dairy no longer has any feed for its cows. And unfortunately, he doesn't have any money to buy more feed. This is the breaking point we hoped wouldn't happen.

But it has.

This is a trial my dad is going through. I feel numb and sad for him. This dairy has been a huge part of his life, even though he hasn't enjoyed every moment because of his parents', brothers', and sisters' abuse over the years. My dad has endured much for this dairy in the past 35 years. Now, he may lose the only job he has ever known.

And I can't be of any help physically or fiancially. But I can pray. So, I prayed hard for my Dad and the dairy and this tough situation that's happening. I pray for my family and the uncertain future that lies ahead. And I pray, above all, that God's will be done.

I'm reminded of a quote a friend once showed me, which was originally told by John Piper. "Life is not a straight line leading from one blessing to the next and then finally to heaven. Life is a winding and troubled road. Switchback after switchback. And the point of biblical stories like Joseph and Job and Esther and Ruth is to help us feel in our bones (not just know in our heads) that God is for us in all these strange turns. God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning it up. He is plotting the course and managing the troubles with far-reaching purposes for our good and for the glory of Jesus Christ."

Right now, my family (especially my dad) faces a winding and troubled road.

But my confidence is in God Almighty, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He manages all things according to his perfect plan for those who love Him. I will trust Him above all.

For whatever is my lot and whatever trials I face, God has taught me throughout my life to say "It is well with my soul." I pray that my Dad will also have this confidence in this trial. He needs it now more than ever.

Happy Cows Universial?

Being on the West coast - smackdab in the middle of California - there is a general promotion to consume products primarily made in California. It's supposed to be a way to help the economy I figure and to take pride in residing in a state that generates a lot of products for the marketing world at large.

Yet there is one specific promotion I always see on TV as far back as I can remember. It has many variations on the context of the commerical, but one thing is always the same: the tagline announced at the end. The tagline says -

"Great cheese come from Happy Cows. Happy Cows come from California. Real California Cheese."

(I know it from memory now and can do a great imitation of the announcer. *winks*)

I wonder if anybody else in the nation or even the world actually have the Real California Cheese from a Happy Cow in a grocery store nearby.

Outside of California, of course. :)