Darkest Before Dawn

Typically hard times get worse before getting better, at least that is the case for me.  This could mean becoming more ill before fully recovering; time slowing down waiting for that first payday after experiencing prolonged unemployment; a project that never seems to go right until that breakthrough of success arrives.  Currently I have a bed bug infestation in the apartment.  Ugh!  They migrated from one apartment to another till they finally arrived at the last "house" on the block, so to speak.  The issue came to a head Sunday night/Monday morning when they were out in full force keeping me from a much-needed night's sleep.  As a result, I called in to work knowing I would be worthless to both myself and the company's customers if I tried to work productively.  I hated to burn a personal day, but I felt as if there wasn't much choice.  Later on that afternoon, the exterminator paid a visit to diagnose the situation.  Next Wednesday, he will use a chemical mix to steam clean (treat) both my apartment and the one next door.  In the meantime, he treated the sleeping area: futon frame and mattress, along with the carpet underneath.  As I anxiously await next Wednesday's appointment with the exterminator, I sense that feeling of dread as time slows down.  Is this the darker time before dawn?  We shall see.  Time marches on regardless, and I need to focus on the multitude of blessings my Father God has showered on me.  Doing so will certainly brighten the darker times, making the shadows flee before the Glory of the Lord.  Realizing that is the solution, I dive in by naming each blessing and praising my Lord for them.  In the end, I will wonder what happened to the dark times and realize the experience was bittersweet.  Soon I will miss those times of struggle because they brought me closer in relationship to the Creator of the Universe, the same Creator who ironically made the bed bugs.

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