That's Good. No, That's Bad. This is Short.

Here is a short commentary leading into what will be my next post, an essential preparation or groundwork, if you please. Are you familiar with a joke format called: That's Good, That's Bad or sometimes the reverse, That's Bad, That's Good. If not, here is a short example culled from The Simpsons: old man: Take this doll, but beware; it carries a terrible curse. Homer: Ooo, that's bad. Old man: But it comes with a free serving of frozen yogurt! Homer: That's good! Old man: The frozen yogurt is also cursed. Homer: That's bad. Old man: But it comes with your choice of toppings! Homer: That's good! Old man: The toppings contain potassium benzoate...Homer: (confused look) Old man: That's bad. Homer: Can I go now? 



Here is a short, more traditional one:



"Did ya hear I got married?"


"Oh, that's good."


"No, that's bad! She's ugly!" 


"Oh, that's bad."


"No, that's good! She's rich."


"Oh, that's good!"


"No, that's bad! She won't give me a cent."


"Oh, that's bad."


"No, that's good! She bought me servants and a big house"


"Oh, that's good."


"No, that's bad! The house burnt down." 


"Oh, that's bad."


"No, that's good! She was in it."



Probably could do a whole sermon on priorities, relationships and commitments among other issues based on that joke, but we won't. It is just here for illustration. If you chuckled at it... nevermind. Those jokes get me thinking about life and how events really fool us. Something happens that makes us happy and we believe that's good. Something else happens that makes us sad and we believe that's bad. But is that actually how life is. Are good things that happen to us always good and bad things always bad? When we are healthy and prosperous is that always good? And when we suffer sickness, loss or disaster, is that always bad? Something else to think about.