On Amazon and Life

I was just reviewing my Amazon shopping cart for this month. It makes me smile.

A butter dish, hand mixer, and spatulas for my hosts
A heating pad for my back
A docking station for my laptop
Bible marking pens
A cork-backed straight edge

My wife filed for divorce while I was in jail. (Not her fault. I deserved it.) So when I got out, I was homeless. I was able to stay at a Red Roof Inn for several month, so she sent me some of my clothes. That was a great help. After about 7 months, I was moved into an apartment with a roommate. I was able then to retrieve most of my belongings from my ex-wife's home — musical instruments, hand tools, kitchen supplies, etc. Unfortunately, after a few months in the apartment, I had to spend a couple weeks in the hospital. When I left the hospital, my roommate told me I couldn't return to the apartment. Homeless again. I have now been taken in by an old friend and his wife, but so far, my former roommate has been reluctant to allow me to reunite with my stuff. So I am having to rebuild with about $200 per month — that is what is left from my Social Security check after I pay my expenses and buy food.

It's been a long, slow crawl. But God is providing. Refurbished laptop and monitor. Borrowed cables. A small table. Television. Desk light. But I'm getting there.

I have accumulated a pretty nice "desk" setup where I can study and write. I have most of my clothes. I have a bed in a room with a door, blankets, and a fan. I have a television for when I need a break. There is a park nearby where I can walk. All in all, I'm doing okay.

Now, it's little things:

I enjoy cooking and baking for the family I live with. But there are a few accessories that they lack. I want to start blessing them with the little things I can provide.

I have persistent back pain. Not debilitating, just, annoying.

My laptop setup has a few gremlins. It's still adequate, but it can be frustrating.

Right now, I use a gel pen with a credit card as a straight edge to mark my Bible. The gel bleeds through the pages. After several successive underlines, the ink builds up in secret—unnoticed—until I slide the card down to the next line and leave a thin smear to connect my marks. Aurgh! I keep a napkin next to my Bible where I regularly wipe the edge of the card to remove the buildup—which leaves a really cool artsy pattern on the napkin after numerous wipes (it's better than some of the art I've seen at the High Museum in Atlanta!). But every once in a while, I attempt one too many underlines between wipes. Then it's aurgh! all over again. I will survive until Amazon delivers. I get my SSA check early next week. Then I'll place my order. And order will then be restored to my Bible markings. It's just one more silent battle among my long list of battles.

I am winning. And I will win. In fact, I've already won.