What a lucky break

P.O Box 1540, Albany Western Australia 6331
Phone/Fax: (08) 98 418 418
E-mail: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

What A Lucky Break!
Sally Hampton really got a break! The amazing thing is that it didn't look like such a good thing at first. But to understand what I'm getting at you need more information. Most of us are prone to envy the woman who wins the lottery with a ticket somebody threw away. Or the homeless fellow who finds out he is the last surviving heir of a millionaire who just died. Or the person who is selected for one of those "makeover" jobs and gets straight teeth, a nose job, and a new wardrobe - maybe a new car too. But these folks are a tiny, tiny percentage of the population. Most of us are likely to start out as Sally Hampton did. Something happens to you that doesn't look very promising. As a matter of fact, what happened to her appeared to be an absolute disaster. However, as often is the case, appearances sometimes deceive us. Sally was at a hotel bar in a small town in July, 2004. The bartender called closing time, but one of the younger patrons didn't want to leave. Sally is in her sixties and looks rather grandmotherly. So she put her hands on the young man's shoulder, told him it was time to go, and started walking him toward the door. That's when Sally got her, uh, "break." As the young man wheeled on her and smashed her head with his beer bottle! When she fell to the ground, he kicked her in the head! He was arrested for assault. Sally was transported to the hospital. As doctors put her through a series of tests, they found that her wounds were not serious. But a tumour they found growing in her brain definitely was! It was a life-threatening tumour that had produced no symptoms yet. However, as a result of the assault, it had been discovered in time. Sally has had surgery. She is recovering well. And earlier this year she testified in court against her attacker - who is now serving twelve and one-half years in prison. Friend, Sally Hampton's story reminds the rest of us that our own good fortune often comes in disguise. Ever hear a recovering alcoholic tell you that hitting rock bottom from his drinking was the best thing that ever happened to him? Perhaps you have discovered yourself that losing a job pushed you to learn skills you needed in order to do something more significant with your life? Or you might even look back to see that a failed relationship set you free from a destructive and unhealthy dependence? Sally reflects on her experience and says that God's ways are mysterious. "But he could have let me know a little softer," she says. "That was horrible." Friend, if you've taken a tough blow, don't despair. Your life story is still unfolding. And, as unlikely as it sounds, you may look back someday and see it as your big break. If you've suffered a similar experience to Sally Hampton, perhaps you'd like to write to me and share your story with me. I'd love to hear from you. My address is: P.O. Box 1540, Albany WA 6331. Phone/Fax: (08) 9841 8418 or Email: abl-alb@omninet.net.au Have a great day.

What A Lucky Break!

Sally Hampton really got a break! The amazing thing is that it didn't look like such a good thing at first. But to understand what I'm getting at you need more information.

Most of us are prone to envy the woman who wins the lottery with a ticket somebody threw away. Or the homeless fellow who finds out he is the last surviving heir of a millionaire who just died. Or the person who is selected for one of those "makeover" jobs and gets straight teeth, a nose job, and a new wardrobe - maybe a new car too. But these folks are a tiny, tiny percentage of the population.

Most of us are likely to start out as Sally Hampton did. Something happens to you that doesn't look very promising. As a matter of fact, what happened to her appeared to be an absolute disaster. However, as often is the case, appearances sometimes deceive us.

Sally was at a hotel bar in a small town in July, 2004. The bartender called closing time, but one of the younger patrons didn't want to leave. Sally is in her sixties and looks rather grandmotherly. So she put her hands on the young man's shoulder, told him it was time to go, and started walking him toward the door.

That's when Sally got her, uh, "break." As the young man wheeled on her and smashed her head with his beer bottle! When she fell to the ground, he kicked her in the head! He was arrested for assault. Sally was transported to the hospital.

As doctors put her through a series of tests, they found that her wounds were not serious. But a tumour they found growing in her brain definitely was! It was a life-threatening tumour that had produced no symptoms yet. However, as a result of the assault, it had been discovered in time. Sally has had surgery. She is recovering well. And earlier this year she testified in court against her attacker - who is now serving twelve and one-half years in prison.

Friend, Sally Hampton's story reminds the rest of us that our own good fortune often comes in disguise. Ever hear a recovering alcoholic tell you that hitting rock bottom from his drinking was the best thing that ever happened to him? Perhaps you have discovered yourself that losing a job pushed you to learn skills you needed in order to do something more significant with your life? Or you might even look back to see that a failed relationship set you free from a destructive and unhealthy dependence?

Sally reflects on her experience and says that God's ways are mysterious. "But he could have let me know a little softer," she says. "That was horrible."

Friend, if you've taken a tough blow, don't despair. Your life story is still unfolding. And, as unlikely as it sounds, you may look back someday and see it as your big break.

If you've suffered a similar experience to Sally Hampton, perhaps you'd like to write to me and share your story with me. I'd love to hear from you. My address is: P.O. Box 1540, Albany WA 6331. Phone/Fax: (08) 9841 8418 or Email: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

Have a great day.