MOM: Well, Butch, how was your birthday yesterday?

BUTCH: It didn't go quite as well as I had planned.

MOM: I'm sorry I got called into work. I really wanted to be there for you.

BUTCH: That's okay, Mom. I know you couldn't help it.

MOM: Then you had a good time?

BUTCH: The first thing that happened after you left for work was that Grandma called and said they couldn't come because grandpa had fallen and was in bed for a day or two.

MOM: I'm glad to hear it wasn't serious.

BUTCH: And if you remember, it snowed all day. That stopped my skateboarding.

MOM: But you don't sound too disappointed.

BUTCH: After all those set backs, Dad suggested I call Jeff.

MOM: Didn't Jeff's father die just a couple of months ago.

BUTCH: That's right. I invited him over and he was excited about coming.

MOM: That's really nice.

BUTCH: I was really surprised to find that the two of us had so much in common.

MOM: Now you have a new friend, huh?

BUTCH: Yes, I sure do. Then at bedtime, just before you got home, dad and I had a little talk.

MOM: What did you talk about?

BUTCH: I was telling Dad how I expected my birthday to be perfect and then everything went wrong. But I found out that things don't have happen just one certain way in order to have a good time.

MOM: That is an important lesson. I glad to hear you say that.

BUTCH: So was Dad. He said that some Christians figure that once they accept Christ as Savior, everything will be perfect, and they won't have troubles and trials.

MOM: That's dreaming.

BUTCH: Dad said it just isn't so. Jesus doesn't guarantee an easy, happy life, but He does promise to be with us. And if we'll allow Him, He'll use what seem like trials to bring us blessings.

MOM: That should make us happy every day.

BUTCH: How about you, boys and girls? Have you found that things don't always happen the way you think they should? Remember, Happiness comes from Jesus, not from circumstances. Bye everyone. Bye mom

MOM: Bye Butch. Bye boys and girls.