It was Needles, California

Have you ever been so troubled
That your life became a drag...
Have you ever felt like Satan's
Favorite personal punching bag?
Have you felt unduly tested?
Have you felt unjustly tried?
Till you find you're even questioning
If the Lord is on your side?

If you're nodding in agreement
Then this poem's meant for you,
It contains a pearl of wisdom
If you'll only read it through.
There's a reason for your troubles,
There's a purpose for each test...
Though you may not see it now,
Your Heavenly Father does know best!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was Needles, California
And a hundred in the shade,
And we'd had nothin' but trouble
When we shoulda' had it made.

First the car broke down 'n' quit on us
And we were forced to sit,
When the car broke down, I nigh did, too,
But Guy just wouldn't quit.
While he rigged-up some new tubing
That a fella gave to us,
I just questioned God in silence:
"Why the problems? Why the fuss?"

That new tube was not the problem
So we found ourselves a store,
And we bought a radiator cap
'N' then we prayed some more:
"Thank You, Lord, for givin' us this chance
To 'Praise You Anyway' ~
All things pass, and so will this, Lord,
Trials and tests don't come to stay."

That new cap was not the answer
And Guy started to get vexed,
Desperation and frustration!
A new water pump was next.
Well, we stopped at ev'ry waterhole
In ev'ry one-horse town,
And Guy hosed the radiator
In a try to cool it down.

We were almost into Kansas ~
Just in front of the state-line,
When Ol' Smokey pulled us over
With a friendly little fine.

When we finally got to Cheney
My big brother saved the day,
For he traded us an engine
That was "gettin' in his way!"

With one mishap on another
We were anything but bored,
Our vacation was a prime time
Just to learn to Praise the Lord.
When we die and get to Heaven
God will make us understand
That each single trial and mishap
Was direct from His own hand.

For this earth is but a dressin' room
To fit us for above,
And we have to learn the hard way
'Bout our Father's endless love.
God must teach us we can trust Him
So He gives His children trials,
And ol' Satan goes bananas
If we face those tests with smiles!

So when God sends you a problem
That's handtailored just for you,
Don't bemoan your situation,
Don't be angry, don't be blue.
Don't "Why-ME-Lord," don't go bonkers,
Don't go wishin' you were dead ~
Raise your voice and yell out loudly
One big "PRAISE THE LORD" instead!

For each test that's sent is only meant
To teach you how to praise,
Mark my words, you'll thank God later
For His wise, unfathomable ways!

--Connie

Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered
at the fiery ordeal which is taking place
to test your quality,
as though something strange
were befalling you."

(I Peter 4:12, The Amplified Bible)

[ by: Connie Hinnen Cook (cjcook@mynewroads.com) -- from Connie Hinnen Cook ]