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Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life
by Tom Kelley
The story is told of a man and his wife who had been fiercely devoted to their work. So devoted were they that they hardly ever had any time to themselves. They decided enough was enough and set a night to go out on a "date" together to their favorite restaurant. The husband even rented a limo for the evening to make the evening that much more special.
The couple were dressed to the hilt when the limo arrived to pick them up and take them to their destination. As they sat eating their meal a man approached them and started jumping back and forth and frantically waving his arms while shouting, "I'm a happy medium!!! I'm a happy medium!!!" This continued for an uncomfortably long time so that the couple asked for their check early and then had to force their way through the man just to get their coats to leave.
By this time curious people had assembled to witness the spectacle as the man continued to harass the couple jumping in front of them and shouting, "I'm a happy medium!!!" Out in front of the restaurant the couple tried to make their way to the limo with the crowd watching as the man blocked their way jumping back and forth and shouting, "I'm a happy medium."
Finally the husband looked at his wife, who was almost in tears, and turned back to the prancing man in front of him. Drawing back his right fist he swung and caught the prancing man right between the eyes dropping him in a heap right at his feet. As the couple stepped over the fallen man to get into their limo a voice came from the crowd. "Why did you hit that guy." The husband replied, "I had no idea how to deal with the fool. I remembered my dad used to tell me, 'When in doubt strike a happy medium.' "
Times will come when it seems that we are unfairly singled out by circumstances and situations. We will want to strike back simply because we are getting tired of the constant furor. "If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. If anyone suffers as a Christian let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter." 1 Peter 4:14, 16 Don't strike back, give thanks that you can bring God glory.
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...He was the Minister of the Minorsville Christian Church located near Stamping Ground, KY.
...Becky and Tom have three children; John, single and in worship ministry in Nicholasville, Kentucky; Sean, married (Jennifer, elementary school teacher) with twins (Grace and Patrick, b.d. 10/31/04) and regional director of Papa John's Pizza in Central KY; Kara, married (Vince Taylor, prison guard) and working with Hospice East in Winchester, KY.
...Tom went to be with the Lord on November 13, 2009 after a lengthy battle with cancer. If you have been touched by Tom's writings please send an email to Tom's son at jkelley@catalystchristian.net
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