Presumptive By Dr. Juan Harrison

I’ve told some of you over the years how my chemistry professor in my freshman year at Texas Tech broke down the word “assume” for us.  He said to assume anything in his class or the outside world would make an Ass out of U and Me.  That one has stuck with me over the years, especially when I’ve let that snake bite me.  Think how many times you’ve heard someone think or say, “I just presumed” or “I assumed” so-and-so.

Maybe in days gone by we could presume or assume something and it be so.  Most of us have lived long enough to have that dog bite us a time or two.  So, if it’s not always a good idea to take somethings in life for granted, then there must be a pearl in the oyster or a pony in the pile of horse poop.  Stuff happens.  We learn from it or not.  A wise man once said to suffer through a bad experience and not learn anything is the saddest thing in our lives.

If we learn that we can’t always count on stuff being there like gas in the gas pump or milk on the grocery shelf, then life seems to be suggesting that maybe for even the most basic things we might want to express a little gratefulness or appreciation for the times that the mail lady got our mail to us or the lights came on with the flip of a switch.  Anyone having your water cut off for repairs to be made or trying to sleep in darkness in a storm with no power for the ceiling fan or bathroom light are quickly reminded that we can’t take even the most basic things in life for granted. 

Then I’m reminded of the love of my mother growing up.  I think about my son’s words as he played ball including in his college days when he said he knew if he looked into the stands he knew his mom and I would be there.  I too can still remember my mother’s shrill cheers for me at my high school games after her long days sewing blue jeans out at the H D Lee factory.

Up the ante a bit when we may think we’re alone fighting the good fight, only to remember that good old hymn, “No, Never Alone.”  We’re told He will never leave or forsake us when we claim Him for our own.  Think about poor Jesus in a miserable physical state asking God why He had forsaken Him as He took on all the sins of the world.  Thankfully, we can have reassurance on a daily basis that we can assume our Heavenly Father does love us.

By Dr. Juan Harrison