Mary Haskett / Author

A terrible thing happened to me a few days ago. I inadvertently clicked a wrong command and deleted all my files. Since then frantic efforts on my part, and more calming efforts by a savvy computer friend, left my “save as” cupboard bare.

Initially I said to my husband, I am not going to lie awake stewing over the loss, I’m not going to think about my master pieces—at least in my mind—that are gone for good. I have to focus on the future, pick myself up and start all over again.

Not only did I lose everything, the internet refused to cooperate, a page would pop up telling me the web page was unavailable and to check this, that and the other. This meant I couldn’t even email friends and grieve my loss with them. After all we are told to share one and others burdens and this burden required much sharing. It was so heavy.

Well today is the first day of my start over. This morning with my computer tucked under my arm— it’s a lap-top, my husband and I drove out to the store where my two and a half month old machine had been purchased. It’s probably not very polite to call this technological marvel a machine, but there you are. I confessed my errors to a very smart young man in the service department. He told me he wouldn’t be able to retrieve my losses. There was an inkling of hope lurking in the back of my mind. However, he told me with confidence that he would reinstall the two drives that worked the internet and he’d be done in five minutes. “If you’d like to wait over there,” he said, indicating a row of chairs. Mind you I’m old enough to be his grandma, but I thought I should do as he suggested. He was certainly the one in charge. It did take a little longer, because other customers came in and he made note of their requirements. None of them had messed up like me though.

A few days have gone by and I have moments of despair, but for the most part I’m pressing on. Today my step daughter phoned to say how sorry she was and gave me contacts who might be able to help. Plus she prayed with me. This was good, very good, because whether or not I get my files back I know Jesus cares and knowing this the doldrums have departed.

We have so much to be grateful for. I read Fay’s blog about Tim Huff’s book, Bent Hope, dealing with the lonely lost and depressed people of our world. I say again we/I have much to be grateful for.

Mary