I know this never happens to you, but it is certainly happening to me more and more these days as time goes on. I misplace things or they “disappear” right before my eyes, even if I'm standing there working on them.

To make a long story short, I misplaced a set of keys that were very important to our household. We literally turned the house upside down and sideways several times looking for them. Dee and I even prayed and prayed that God would allow us to find the keys.

But, in losing them, we found something far greater than the keys. We both lead very busy lives, as most of us do today, and after retracing our steps over and over, I finally, out of frustration, grabbed the Fayette phone book to look for a locksmith. I went down the listings and my eye caught the “Always Safe Lock Company.”

When I read he words “Always Safe,” something inside me just smiled and made me feel glad. The words made me think of our heavenly father and the fact that even though at the time of salvation we are free from the penalty of sin and free from the power of sin, we will still have trials in life.

One day we will be free from the “trials” of sin in Heaven. I called the “Always Safe Lock Co.” and a very pleasant and reassuring voice (Barbie) listened to my demise and said that her husband would be right over after completing another “lockout.” In a very short time, a very friendly man showed up with a pleasant smile and a heart the size of Texas.

Anything having to do with something mechanical has always interested me so I stood around and watched this master locksmith exercise his talented craft. Within minutes he not only opened the locked area, but made me a spare key. I naturally invited him to our church and Lennie Dunn is now attending.

For some reason, it makes me feel extra secure to have someone sitting in the congregation from the “Always Safe Lock Co.” Lennie and his lovely wife Barbie have two beautiful twin daughters, April and Aimee, whom I taught in school at Fayette County High. As I said earlier, even though we get “right “ with God through Christ, trials and tribulation still get us “locked out” at times.

We must always remember that ultimately the believer in Christ wins in the end, either in this life or the next. A friend sent me something that is just too precious to not share about trials and tribulations.

“The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.

On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

After opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles, and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward, he walked me to my car. We passed the tree, and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

“Oh, that's my trouble tree,” he replied. “I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning, I pick them up again. “Funny thing is,” he smiled, “when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.”

Psalm 30:5 states: “For His anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

The Rev. Dr. Knox Herndon is the pastor of His House Community Church (SBC), a substitute school teacher in the Fayette County School System, and a former Army chaplain. The church is currently meeting in the American Legion Log Cabin across from the fountain on the Square in Fayetteville. Prayer line 770-719-2365; e-mail Khern2365@aol.com

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