One the memorable lines from the movie Bug’s Life, ” . . . that’s our lot in life. It’s not a lot, but it’s our life.”  Sometimes life seems to turn against us.  Consider the life of Charles.

Charles was a young man working in a shoe factory, when an industrial accident removed a finger from his hand.  In the late 1800’s this meant unemployment for a factory worker.  His doctor advised him to go to apprentice for a local pharmacist.  Charles took his doctor’s advice and this experience lead him to attain a  license and in 1893 he began working as a register pharmacist.  His employer, Isaac Blood, retired in 1901 and Charles bought out the pharmacy and before his death in 1939 Charles owned over 600 pharmacies.  Today Charles Walgreen’s company claims over 8,000 locations. (Google Charles Walgreen for more biographical information).

I share this to remind us of a statement Paul makes in his letters when talking about his “thorn in the flesh.”  “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me,”  2 Cor 12:9.  As Christians we cannot live life in a pity party.  We can rely on God to carry us through.  We must not allow adversity to keep us from being and doing our best for God.

– Scott