STILL LOOKING FORWARD

​Weekly Encouragement 

   Allow me to start with a general encouragement for everyone.  Stay warm and safe. The first week of 2023 is here and it is already shaping up to be a memorable one.  As I write this there is a ground blizzard occurring due to high winds mixed with occasional snow.  This in itself should not be surprising considering the time of year and my location. Still, it is a little disconcerting when you simultaneously hear the howling wind assail the 95-year-old house and see the roadway disappear in a cloud of white.  A good day to stay inside if possible.  A sure affirmation is when the dog, Maggie, who loves staying outside, is back scratching at the door after five minutes to be let back in.  The look she gives says it all, “Enough of that, close the door.”  It is still
early in the season with more to come
   There was also supposed to be a reported change to the way things were being done in our nation's capital beginning this week.  Sure enough, the change occurred, but not quite as expected.  This is day three of what seems to be a binge-watching of re-runs of All in the Family to see who gets the coveted role of Archie Bunker to preside over a
dysfunctional family.  Stay tuned as history is being made and this is something our grandchildren will have to see to believe.  Popcorn, please!
   As another way to commemorate a new year we often acknowledge our mistakes more readily.  Rest assured this too shall pass.  A good friend admitted on New Year's Day that they had made an error and stated it was the one allowable for the entire year.  If only we could all be so fortunate.  As the comment was being said I wondered when my own first mistake of the new year would make its presence known.  Unbeknownst to me, I had already made my first 2023 mistake in November 2022.  Why wait I say.  In November of last year, I thought I was wise by switching our dental services from Duluth to a local establishment.  This would save a 70-mile round trip twice a year.  I visited the new establishment and inquired if they accepted the military retiree dental program I belonged to.  I was assured they did and made two appointments for both Cathy and
me on the same day.  They enhanced the service by offering the appointments at the same time as there would be two hygienists available.  All was right with the world.  Fast forward to Tuesday of this week and the first appointment with our new providers.  First, the appointments did not coincide but were consecutive as there was a miscommunication when the appointments were originally made.  This necessitated my canceling a weekly appointment for visitations.  Lesson learned.  Second, I had to pay a substantial co-pay x two for our services received.  Note, I have not had to pay a co-pay for the past 25
years.  Something was amiss. The next day I confirmed that I should have been more specific in November by asking if the dental practice was in the network I belonged to.  Alas, they are not.  Further investigation revealed that the only providers, 50 plus, are located…wait for it…yes, in Duluth, requiring a 70-mile ROUND TRIP.  There are none within the immediate area.  By the way, the local provider has outstanding hygienists and the location can't be beaten.  The office insurance specialist did ask if we would consider being clients if the practice became a member of the network.  I affirmed we gladly would and please advise accordingly.  The good news is that I made my first mistake of 2023 early, learned a valuable lesson on succinct communications, and have at least six months to obtain a network-approved dental provider. Often attributed to Augustine of Hippo is the saying, “Leave the past to the mercy of God, the present to the love of God, the future to the providence of God.”  I think I will try to make this one of my goals for 2023.
Our encouragement verse for this week is: Psalm 23:6  (NIV)“Surely your goodness and love will follow me, all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” May you be blessed by God's word.    Chris