Be Careful What You Wish For.....

Looking back on the places I've been and the things I've done, it's pretty easy to think of more than a few times I wished for something to happen for my benefit.  Then, when it DID happen, I was elated............Then, things did not turn out at all the way I thought they would; and the "good" thing that happened to me actually was a bad, or unpleasant, experience.

For example, when I was in college, I had to take a required course:  Religion 101A.  Actually, it was not a difficult course at all.  Just some reading and some memorizing.  My problem was that I was not at all interested in the subject matter and did not study very much.  I got a "D", which I deserved.

The college had a rule that if you made a "D" in a class, you were allowed to take it over and replace the "D" you originally made with your new grade.  I jumped at the chance---yes, I would ace the course this time and expunge the bad grade.  I took the course over. I made another "D".  Sigh.

Another time, the company I worked for was looking for a sales manager.  My ego needed stroking, so I mounted a fierce campaign to get the job.  I worked harder at getting that promotion than I ever did at actually doing my job.  Finally, I did get the job.  I was elated.  Yes, this was great!  I was sure I was gonna "wow" 'em.  I didn't.  My bosses didn't like my ideas, didn't care for my presentations, hated my plans, poo-pooed my accomplishments.  It was the unhappiest time I could imagine.  I couldn't do anything right, it seemed.  When the time came that I was let go, it was a relief.

Of course, things do work the other way, as well---you know, when something happens to us that we think at the time is bad, but actually turns out to be good with the passage of time.

A good example of that in my life was the time I lost a huge order I had worked on for a year.  My competitor was awarded the sale.  I was crushed.  One week later the account called me and told me that the competition could not fill the order to their satisfaction and they were awarding it to me.  Now, I became elated.  I went from the outhouse to the penthouse.  Life is like that, no?

What are some of your remembrances of getting what you wished for and then having a bad experience with it?....Or, of getting something you thought was bad that later turned out to be good?  Do you think there is more that just random coincidence involved?  Could He be calling all the shots?  If so,.........why?

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