Happy Face Outcome

A number of years ago,

we had an inexpensive but functioning printer

that progressed through a series of beeps and groans

and gear grinding noises

to accomplish its intended purpose.

One day, I decided to see just exactly how long it took

to make one copy.

So, I drew a happy face on a piece of paper,

placed it upside down on the glass

and closed the lid.

Then, pushing the start buttons

on the printer and my stopwatch simultaneously,

the two of us proceeded with our routine duet

of vocal and mechanical harmony;

a sort of file clerk beatboxing practice session,

one that should never, ever be witnessed or recorded.

When the overture emitted its grand finale

and the copy of my happy face landed in the tray,

the actual time proved to be

..... *drum roll*.....

twenty-three seconds!

That's a long time to wait for a happy face...

... but I knew it would eventually come out.

Daniel was a very patient man,

serving under several arrogant, self-centered rulers,

who proceeded through their own series of beeps and groans

and gear grinding noises,

displaying extreme measures of manipulation and aggression

to flaunt their powerful authority

and feed their insatiable pride.

Yet, throughout the book of Daniel,

every interpreted dream,

every miracle of protection and provision,

every confounding of earthly wisdom and power,

was another well-placed slam of the spiritual sledge hammer

which drove the spike of Proclaimed Truth firmly into place...

"The Most High God

is ruler over the realm of mankind"

~Daniel 5:21

Daniel served God faithfully,

all the while establishing a trustworthy reputation

as a confidant, a dream revealer and "chief of the magicians" (4:9),

risking his life to relay God's disagreeable prophecies

to blasphemous ruling powers;

Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, Cyrus.

That's a long time to wait for a happy face,

but he knew it would eventually come out.

"Your Word is Truth,

and every one of Your righteous ordinances

is everlasting.

Princes persecute me without cause,

but my heart stands in awe of Your words."

~Psalm 119:160,161