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By Dr. James L. Snyder

One thing I have learned in life is there are times when things do come together.

Just the other day, I finished my manuscript for my publisher and sent it in, and I was in great relief that that job was done. I sat back in my chair and just enjoyed the feeling of being caught up.

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and some girls in the family had taken a two-day trip out of town for whatever they were going to do. I have learned not to get involved in what the girls are doing. I know from The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage’s side that it has a lot to do with thrift store shopping. If there is something I like less than thrift store shopping, I have never met it yet.

So I was leaning back in my chair, celebrating this situation and rejoicing over this thought that just came into my head.

This thought dancing in my head had to do with a fresh Apple Fritter or two. I cannot celebrate any better than with several Apple Fritters, particularly one in each hand.

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage is not too happy with Apple Fritters. For some reason, she thinks they are bad for me. On the other side of the table, I believe there is nothing better in the entire world than an Apple Fritter. After all, it is a fruit.

But that idea of an Apple Fritter was very alluring to me. I couldn’t get it out of my head. Three blocks down the road, I could get a fresh Apple Fritter. I could even walk there if I wanted to.

Since the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage was not home, I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted. When she left the other day, she said, “You behave yourself while I’m gone. Do you hear me?”

Boy, did I hear her? I’m only thinking t whether she heard what she said. If I’m going to behave myself, I will behave like myself. When I have an Apple Fritter in each hand, I behave myself better. I am more myself with an Apple Fritter than anything else.

With great delight and anticipation, I got into my truck and drove down to Publix, where I usually get my Apple Fritters. The problem was that everybody in that public store knew my wife and her thoughts about Apple Fritters.

However, across the town, about 15 minutes away, is another public store that sells Apple Fritters. The thing about this Publix is that nobody knows my wife.

That evening, I sat in my easy chair, leaned back, sipped some hot coffee, and began nibbling on my Apple Fritters. As I was nibbling, I couldn’t help but think how wonderful it is to get caught up in life’s projects and then celebrate with the most amazing treat: the Apple Fritter.

I thought of one of my favorite Bible verses. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).

It’s very difficult to find someone with a “merry heart.” There is so much pain and stress in this world that a merry heart is absent. It doesn’t matter what’s on the outside if my inside (heart) is focused on Christ as our Lord and Saviour.

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Telephone 1-352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com, website www.jamessnyderministries.com