Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Most Problems Really Just Strength Builders

Don’t cry over spilled milk.

That old, often-heard comment is true, but frequently forgotten when the milk glass tips over. Best thing to do is call the cat or dog in, but if pets aren’t allowed inside, next option is to spoon up as much as possible in their bowl and put it on the doorstep. Only other choice is to mop up the white mess and forget it.


We can’t milk cows very good, but we’ve been around a few times when another has, and ole Bossy kicked the bucket sending her production astray. That’s worse than a glass going over, but the only solution is keep on milking.

Likewise, it is in many situations of life. There really isn’t anything one can do after an incident occurs that we prefer it hadn’t.

As we’ve become lazier in maturity, we daily haul buckets of grain on the pickup to mares in the pasture; we used to carry them out on foot. In our scurry, every few weeks we’ll turn too fast and or at such an angle so the buckets spill off the flatbed. We grunt, kneel down; scoop up what we can and promise it won’t happen again; until next time.

Flat tires are one of our pet peeves. We have our share of flats, partly because we run them to the belts before breaking down to get new ones. On the road, what can one do? Just pray the spare is inflated and make the change. The faster it’s done, the quicker we’re back on the road. No use ranting and raving about the predicament.

So unimportant in the whole realm of life are these minute aggravations. A friend evaluates such situations correctly, although not always heeding his own statement: “What difference is it going to make a day from now, even in an hour, let alone a year or a lifetime?” None whatsoever.

Many folks seem to make “mountains out of molehills,” when their problems are quite unimportant. Most things that happen to us and make our blood seemingly boil at the time are really insignificant in the wide spectrum of things that can and do occur.

If we have a roof over our head, food on the table, clothes on our body, we’re livable healthy and close family is the same, then what else do we need? We’re in great shape compared to much of the world’s population.

Sound advice is given in Romans 5:3: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.”

Best solution though comes in Psalm 27:14: “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

+++ALLELUIA+++

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