OUT TO PASTOR: I don’t believe in superstition… but

I don’t believe in any of the superstitious nonsense that seems to be going around these days.

Some people have a fear of numbers like 13 and 666. What in the world does a number have to do with anything?

When I am around people who are superstitious like that, I’m afraid I lean toward the naughty side and harass them a little bit. It’s not my fault they’re afraid of some number. But I believe I do have a responsibility to myself to take advantage of situations like that.

Not being superstitious, there are times I am slightly confused about life. Something happens that I don’t feel I’m in charge of. I won’t go to the superstitious side of the road because I don’t believe in that. But sometimes, things happen that I really can’t explain.

For example, the other morning, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage entered the living room, where I was sitting in my easy chair drinking coffee. 

With a huge smile, she said, “I got you an Apple Fritter for this morning.” And she gave it to me, smiled at me, and then walked away.

Now, I’m supposed to accept this as normal?

Absolutely not.

There was no reason she would bring me an Apple Fritter – without something attached to it. 

And for the life of me, I could not figure out what was behind it. 

Not knowing what to do, I took a little bite of the Apple Fritter, which brought me to a wonderful place of enjoyment. I drank my coffee and ate my pastry, and my life seemed to be very spectacular at that time.

When I finished, I returned to normality and tried to figure out what was behind all of this.

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage went about the day as though nothing strange had happened. I decided to go along with her on that.

The following day, I got up, fixed my coffee, went out to my easy chair in the living room and started to sip it very carefully.

As I was getting situated, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage walked in, and I saw in her hand another Apple Fritter.

“Here, my dear, is an Apple Fritter. I think you’ll enjoy this today.”

I possibly could process yesterday’s Apple Fritter, but two days in a row was beyond my processing ability. Something is going on, and I had no idea what it is. Being that as it was, I enjoyed that Apple Fritter to the last delicious crumb.

Again, nothing was said to indicate what was behind the Apple Fritters. I was getting a little itchy, and I wanted to find out what was going on.

But I didn’t want to sabotage my situation at the time. After all, an Apple Fritter is worth the pain.

The day continued normal, and she never mentioned the Apple Fritter.

By bedtime, nothing had been said. It was just a coincidence, and I could not explain it satisfactorily.

Again, I got up the following day, went and got my coffee, and sat in my easy chair. In a few moments, in walks The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, and in her hand is another Apple Fritter.

Obviously, I did not get up this morning and was still in bed, sleeping and dreaming. This does not happen in real life. I was afraid to do anything for fear of waking up out of this dreamland.

“Here’s an Apple Fritter for you this morning. I think you’ll enjoy it today.” She smiled at me, turned around, and returned to the kitchen.

I held that Apple Fritter in my hand for a few moments, making sure it was real, and then began to eat it slowly and enjoyably.

Three Apple Fritters in a row has to be some record. It’s not that I couldn’t handle an Apple Fritter – because I could. It was the fact that someone was bringing Apple Fritters to me – who does not like Apple Fritters. Something was happening behind the scenes, and I was anxious to find out.

The next day, the same thing happened. To have four Apple Fritters in a row was okay with me, but now I was getting to be really suspicious. What in the world was I missing here?

Not wanting to sabotage my good luck the last four days, I kept silent and enjoyed the Apple Fritter. Whatever was behind this, I may never know, but I will enjoy it for whatever it is worth.

I am expecting a day in the future when The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage will say, “Remember those Apple Fritters I gave you?”

I couldn’t help thinking of a Bible verse, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).

Sometimes, the best thing to do is NOTHING and let God have it.

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Telephone is (352) 216-3025, e-mail is jamessnyder51@gmail.com, and website is www.jamessnyderministries.com.