I need a do-over

Last Monday I started a seven-day fast (the beginning of a no-such-thing-as-coincidence week)
Last Tuesday I was rear-ended by a way-too-huge-pick-up-truck
    while driving home from the ... wait for it
    --chiropractor!
Last Thursday I was laid off ...
Last Friday my computer wouldn't work
    what the...

On that Tuesday I cried
On that Thursday I cried harder
On that Friday I got up and had me some "retail therapy," lots of media therapy with a couple of chick flicks thrown in - not just one mind you, but an old Doris Day/James Garner, Norb would say shoot me first, kind of movie AND Notting Hill -Thank you very much!  In the middle of the blasted day mind you.

Today it's the next Friday ...
   Slowly my body is recovering from feeling like it's been hit by a truck - pun intended
   I got my computer to work - 1st world problems
   The fast is long over ... it was good, it was right, it was necessary ... the praying that goes with the fasting hasn't even paused.

This week (should I say it) has been harder.

I've written a couple of other blog posts in the middle of this harder. But they're not the kind I can actually post right now. Maybe some day. Posting them now would make us another reality show ... no thank you.  With my body having been pummeled by a truck and my self-esteem being trounced on by a lay-off ... that's what I call a bad week. That's enough bad week right now.  Anyway, Netflix is calling me.

Jacob, whom I have chosen...

“You’re Jacob ... 

I pulled you in from all over the world, 

called you in from every dark corner of the earth, 

Telling you, ‘You’re my servant, 

serving on my side.

 I’ve picked you.

I haven't dropped you.'

Don’t panic. I’m with you. 

There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.

 I’ll give you strength.

 I’ll help you.

 I’ll hold you steady, 

keep a firm grip on you.

 Count on it: 

Everyone who had it in for you 

will end up out in the cold— 

real losers. 

Those who worked against you 

will end up empty-handed— 

nothing to show for their lives.

 When you go out looking for your old adversaries 

you won’t find them— 

Not a trace of your old enemies, 

not even a memory.

That’s right. 

Because I, your GOD,

have a firm grip on you

and I'm not letting go.

I’m telling you, 

‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.’

 

Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob? 

Don’t be afraid.

 

Feel like a fragile insect, Israel? 

I’ll help you.

 

I, GOD, want to reassure you. 

The God who buys you back, 

The Holy of Israel. 

I’m transforming you from worm to harrow, 

from insect to iron.

As a sharp-toothed harrow 

you’ll smooth out the mountains, 

turn those tough old hills into loamy soil. 

You’ll open the rough ground to the weather, 

to the blasts of sun and wind and rain. 

But you’ll be confident and exuberant, 

expansive in The Holy of Israel!”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:8-16‬