I hate my computer and other inspirational thoughts
I hate my computer and other inspirational thoughts by By Rev. James L. Snyder
The New Year has not started out very well for Yours Truly. After the first day of the new year, my life went south for the rest of the winter. All I can say is, I hope it has a wonderful winter, and don't forget to write.
Speaking of writing, I can sum up my feelings at this moment by saying, "I hate my computer."
Perhaps, you may think the word "hate" a little too strong. Under normal circumstances, I would agree wholeheartedly. These, however, are not normal circumstances by a long shot.
And, believe me, I've been tempted to do some shooting.
Usually, I'm good-natured, and easily get along with everyone around me. I go out of my way to be nice and courteous to people.
At the grocery store, I always hold the door open for people; on the highway, I always yield to the other driver, without employing hand gestures; and in a restaurant ,I always smile at the waitress, no matter how much she messes up my order.
However, everything and everyone has a limit — and I have reached my limit in this matter. The new near has barely gotten underway and already a snag has raised its ugly head in my direction and grinned. And boy, do I despise that grin.
This snag, to put it mildly, has to do with my computer. Oh, how I miss my old typewriter at times. It was such a faithful companion to me in my work. Rarely did it disappoint me or let me down. It always responded to the slightest touch of my fingers.
Then the sad day came when I traded my old reliable typewriter in for a computer. At the time, I thought I had upgraded into heaven. I did not know I was setting myself up for a crash. How could I? Everyone told me a computer would solve all my problems.
In the beginning, it lulled me into a false sense of competency. It actually made me believe I was in control of my computer. And, for a while, it looked like I was.
This past week I was working on several projects. With my computer, I can have three projects open at the same time and work on them simultaneously. I was working on my Sunday sermon, my weekly column and a fantastic article I was writing for a magazine.
I was in high heaven, going from one project to another and making wonderful progress. In fact, I was having such a great time that I forgot to save any of my work.
Several times during my work that afternoon I heard a mischievous snicker coming from somewhere, but I was having too much fun to pay attention to it. In hindsight, I should have stopped right there and pondered the situation.
The sermon I was working on was simply marvelous. I can never remember being in greater sermonic form. Everything just seemed to flow. The ideas opened up right before my eyes, which truly delighted me.
I could not wait to preach this sermon come Sunday morning. I was quite sure my congregation would be delighted with this masterpiece.
When the ideas slowed in the sermon preparation, I simply jumped over to the weekly column and began working on it. Like the sermon, the column was going fantastic. I couldn't believe the roll I was on at the time.
There are times when you know what you're doing is good. Then there are times when you know what you're doing is great. I had never had a column come together so smoothly and quickly as this one. My readers will be awed with such eloquence.
When I was stuck on my column, I switched over to the magazine article I was writing. In a few moments, I was completely emerged in writing the article. Like the sermon and column before it, the article unfolded before me like a rose in June. I luxuriated in the aroma of greatness.
By this time, I was feeling pretty good about myself. This should have been a flashing red light for me. In my defense, I was assuming the new year brought new rules for me.
I've given it an awful lot of thought; I do not know what happened next.
But, evidently, I pressed a button I should not have pressed. In the next second, my computer shut off completely. For several minutes, I just stared, dumbfounded, at my blank computer screen — one blank to another.
When I came to my senses, I restarted my computer. No matter how diligently I searched, those three files were nowhere to be found. The question plaguing my tortured mind was, do files that are not saved go to hell? They surely were not on my computer.
The thing bothering me the most was, I could not remember the details of my sermon, my column, or the terrific article I was writing. It was as if my magnificent trio did not exist.
In pondering my quandary, a scripture verse came to mind. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 KJV.)
No matter how difficult my life seems, Jesus is the "escape key" that enables me to endure.
Rev. James L. Snyder is an award winning author and popular columnist living in Ocala, FL with his wife Martha.
Other Articles related to "I hate my computer and other inspirational thoughts" by Rev. James L. Snyder
•IS GOD A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN? AND OTHER CULTURAL ANOMALIES
IS GOD A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN? AND OTHER CULTURAL ANOMALIES by Rev. James L. SnyderThe amazing thing about contemporary American culture is its predisposition to organize itself into neat little categories. This pigeonhole syndrome, referred to by some as PHS, (not to be confused with PMS), is responsible for much of the stress in our society today.We even categorize this stress, enabling us to compare our stress with people we meet. Some fear they will one day meet someone with the same...
•What Whine Goes With Cooked Goose?
? by Rev. James L. SnyderSome who know me suggest I might be a wee bit absentminded at times. I prefer to think of it as simply being actively engaged in processing thoughts; giving the tiny gray cells a good workout. My motto: Don't hate me because I'm thoughtful.I must admit to a certain aura of preoccupation at times. However, it is not as severe as the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage seems to think. I just have many things on my mind and at times, I am not fully conscious of my...
•AS THE OLD YEAR FADES, SO DOES MY MEMORY
by Rev. James L. SnyderMemory is a very tricky thing, at least for me it is. Looking back, over a year's span of activity my memory seems to pick and choose what it remembers. It amazes me not so much what a person remembers but what a person forgets.Often some old-timer will moan about how much he misses the good old days. I'm not sure if he is thinking of World War II or the great Depression. I'm positive that during the great Depression some wonderful memories were created, but I'm not...
•In My House, If It's Broken I Bought It
by Rev. James L. SnyderOften a store has a sign with the warning, You break it, you bought it. This is to keep people from carelessly handling the merchandise.I'm thinking of another sign, which should be posted all through my house. If it's broken, I bought it. This is not to say everything in my house is broken, but to point out that everything has a breaking point. And, it's not to say I can't fix anything. I just can't fix anything that is broken.A case in point; my easy chair.A man's...
•Hurricanes have gone but political winds are blowing
by Rev. James L. SnyderWithin the last six weeks, that gusty quartet comprised of Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne has lustily serenaded Florida. A repeat performance is not in the foreseeable forecast - I hope.It is not that I do not appreciate good music; it is because I do appreciate good music that I do not wish for a comeback of this quartet. The problem this quartet had, which many musical groups have, is they usually try to drown out the other ones in the group.The damage in life...
•THANKSGIVING POSES A QUESTION OF CHOICE
by Rev. James L. SnyderThe door to my office exploded as hundreds, at least it seemed like that many to me, of children surrounded my desk. My defenses were down and the merry mob held me captive. Wisely, I decided to surrender and throw myself on the mercy of the gang.Simultaneously, and in hi-fi stereophonic sound, the children assaulted me with questions.Pastor, what's ya doin'?Pastor, is that your computer?Who's that in the picture?Pastor, are you working?Pastor, why? ... why? ......
