Winning

By Bob Hansen

I don’t really believe in luck. But, if I did, I would think of myself as a person lacking luck. Want proof? In our hometown the local radio station gives away a “Wonder Truck” every year. I have often entered to win—but I never have. How could I be so unlucky?

In truth, I’ve never won anything.

I’ve signed up for drawings at the fair. In a few days, I receive a call of congratulations, informing me that I am a lucky winner. In each case it turns out that I have only “won” the opportunity to listen to an intense sales pitch. Lucky me.

One year, in an effort to concentrate by luck, I signed up for only a single drawing. I had first scrutinized the offer, determining that it was not an all-inclusive contest with a pitch. I was wrong.

My wife is lucky. She once won a winter getaway at the Inn of the Seventh Mountain, near Bend, Oregon. In that case, I was lucky in a secondary way, since I was chosen to go along. But it wasn’t me winning.

My lucky wife also won a two hundred-dollar gift certificate at a jewelry store. And she won a prize at McDonalds—a meal a week for an entire year. As a loser, I ate some of the cheeseburgers, shakes and fries. But it wasn’t the same as winning.

Years ago, one of my kids luckily won, “Breakfast with Bozo the Clown.” The meal was served in the Space Needle. Again, I was fortunate enough to go along and enjoy the delicious food and the top-rate clown entertainment. But I hadn’t won it.

.

You’d think it was my turn—you’d think.

At a recent writer’s conference, my name was called out from the stage. My heart nearly exploded with joy as I went forward to receive a prize. Only later did I realize that everyone who filled out an evaluation form “won.” It didn’t count.

My wife says I’m lucky—lucky to have married her.

She’s right, of course. Though, previous to that comment I had believed there was something more at work than blind luck (my good looks and enchanting charm, perhaps).

It’s a good thing I don’t believe in luck. The most special things in my life are not products of chance, but flow from divine mercy and blessing. Shall I list a few of these undeserved benefits? My wife says, “Yes.”

I shall speak of family: a wonderful wife, four perfect-in-every-way (almost) children, two adorable grandchildren. (I could use several more.) And, lest you think I don’t realize the greatest mercy, I will mention what God has done for me. A sinner miraculously turned to serve the living God. A rebellious man, saved from self, saved from death, appointed unto life. All these benefits, undeserved, gifts that any person may find—if they wish.

Oh the wonder of God’s mercies, the boundless span of His grace, the dizzying depths of His love!

Bob Hansen writes from Chehallis, Washington. Bhansen6@juno.com