By Dr. James L. Snyder
This past week the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage was complaining she had a headache and did not know how to get rid of it. At first I thought she was referring to the other person who lived in the parsonage with her, but I soon discovered she had a headache and it seemed to be very painful.
She was complaining about this headache and so I thought I would step in or step up, whichever the case, and tell her, “Don’t worry about your headache. It’s all in your head.” At the time I did not know what I was saying.
When I did say it, she glared at me with one of “those” glares. Every husband knows exactly what I am talking about.
This just shows the compatibility of our household. Every household, every relationship needs glue to hold it together. This is our glue. She gets headaches and I give them.
I suppose the reason I do not get very many headaches is because there is nothing up there to ache. If I would clutter my head with all sorts of things I would run the danger and possibility of acquiring a headache.
When my wife gets a headache she takes medication, lays down on the couch, puts a heating pad around her neck and before she closes her eyes she looks at me as though daring me to make a noise.
Two weeks ago I had to take a two hour trip on I-75. Now, the speed limit is 70 mph. Normally I can handle that, I just said my speed control thingamajig and go cruising (or is it trumping?) down the highway.
The headache came when there was an accident which brought the traffic to an amazing 2 mph. I do not mind stopping, but when it is moving 2 mph, it is really a headache.
Then, coming north on the same highway there was another accident, but this time we were going 3 mph.
Talk about a headache.
The problem with my headache on the highway was, I could not take any medication, lie down and put a heating pad on my neck and go to sleep. I had to stay awake and watch where in the world I was going even though I was not going very fast.
Of course, there is always the idea that I cause headaches. And I suppose there’s not much I can do about that. Except, maybe, try not to cause a headache. But when you’re person like me, you don’t know you’re causing a headache until you’ve caused that headache.
What would life be without headaches either getting them or giving them? I suppose that’s what life is all about. If you think you can live your life without getting or giving a headache you are in for a truly severe migraine.
As I thought about this I was reminded of a very special verse of Scripture. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
In this life you can’t get away from headaches, but I have something to look forward to and that is what God has for me.
The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.
