Sunday, August 26, 2007 Luab: Murphy’s Law By Evelyn R. Luab Light sunday
LAST week I make a complete fool of myself. I signed a contract without reading the fine print. Thinking that it looked familiar, I merely scanned the paper, mistaking it for something else, and affixed my signature on the document.
The document I signed was in July but the collection letter arrived last week. The amount was so big that my jaw fell. It was something I could not afford. It was nearly P100, 000 for an ad good for two years.
This was the first time I was glad that Rod, my husband, was not around. He would have given me a harsh scolding.
After praying hard to my Lord, I tried to rectify my error. After so much tension and worry, the amount was brought down to one-third the original. I could avail of a quarter page ad instead. Believe me, up to this writing I still am smarting from my mistake, which was too costly for comfort.
Normally, I pride myself in being wise in many things mainly because 71 years of being on this earth have given me something of an advantage, experience wise. I just forgot Murphy’s Law.
I learned two lessons from that very costly mistake. I will now read every document assiduously before I sign. The second lesson is closer to the heart. One must be humble to admit that we are not in control of things. No matter how you plan for the future, no matter how you budget your finances, the inevitable cannot be avoided. To quote the old folks: “Naa gayoy lutsan sa kwarta.” (There is always the possibility of unforeseen expenses.)
Parents are really aware that when children get sick, especially from ages one month to eight years old, even colds and coughs can drain the coffers. Tuition fees can rise anytime and the demand for tickets, projects, etc. can come at a time when the rent or light or water bill is due.
About five years or so ago, the main transformer of our establishment exploded in fire. The amount needed to fix it was great. A neighboring rat had managed to get through a crack at the back of the transformer. The rat died and so did our hopes for a better income.
However, I am also aware that we can only do so much to prevent things like these from happening. We have prepared contingencies for any eventuality, but somehow when least expected—boom! A crisis occurs!
I guess we just have to be realistic. Life on earth is full of ups and downs. Thank God we have our ups. A beautiful rainbow comes out of the clouds after the rain. A cocoon will open into a beautiful butterfly.
Cancer patients lately, when treated early enough, especially when accompanied by prayers from friends, have survived. Bankruptcy can be turned around and success can still come rushing in.
I’ve always enjoyed reading over and over the book, Exodus, which was made into a movie starring Paul Newman. I applaud how swamps were turned into farmlands, how a Jew and an Arab became friends, and how what seemed impossible became possible.
We, in Cebu, are proud of the successful summit meeting that was held here recently. We are proud of our south reclamation project. We are proud that we are a united group in spite of seeming divisions among our top leaders. I have faith in our standing up, even when we land hard on our behind.
Murphy’s Law will happen again and again in all places at all times. But it cannot destroy our strong faith in a God that we can turn to. It cannot stop our pleas for help from our Heavenly Father. It must not destroy our spirit! With our God, we cannot be afraid of anything.
