SICK DAYS: 
Back in my working days.. I would sometimes say with a smile.. "I never met a sick day I didn't like." And let's be real, no one wants to waste a sick day with strep throat, or a 102 fever. It makes more sense to be 'a little under the weather' and call in sick when the sun is shining.

Looking back I realize so many followed MY LEAD that Human Resources departments across the country coined a more user friendly term.. PTO (personal time off) days.

So I personally believe I was the catalyst in the creation of PTO. No more calling in and fake coughing.. no more intentional weak voices. Now with PTO you can simply call in to work with a strong voice and say .. "I'm not gonna come in to work, there is Netflix binge watching that needs my attention.
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So for all of you that have benefited from PTO ..

YOU ARE ALL WELCOME.

Don't look at me that way.. Are you saying you never feigned a sick day? Hmm.. how about did you ever take such a day off and called it a 'mental health day'?  Ok then, at least I was not claiming to be 'sick in the head' .. LIKE YOU! 

PANDEMIC DAYS: 
But more far reaching than any random sick or PTO days you may have there is a much more concerning is the today's headline where Coronavirus (aka COVID-19) has been declared a global pandemic by the Center of Disease Control, and the World Health Organization. This sobering bit of news has put our lives on hold until further notice.

In response to COVID-19 were are closing of schools, stores, restaurants, sporting events, churches, and  about everything else you can think of.  The practical affects of this  troubling news are the shortages of canned goods, cereal, and.. toilet paper.  TOILET PAPER? 

​side note: I heard  someone say if you are hoarding TP you most likely have a greater 'problem' (rogue IBS?) than catching COVID-19.

ETERNITY:
​Also, I have heard it said more than a few times.. 
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• We listen intently to the CDC when it warns us there is a pandemic. We must take precautions to minimize COVID-19 from taking lives.  BUT
• ​We don't listen intently when the Bibles warns us the wages of SIN is death. Wide is the road that leads to destruction, but narrow is the path to Heaven.

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I am concerned that our society and even the church is more focused on a possible pandemic than a pending panDAMNit. (Maybe a poor choice of puns, but you get my point.)

Low-Batt Signal sounds like a problem in Gothom City where the Joker, Riddler, and the Penguin are on a Crime Spree and Commissioner Gordon needs Batman and Robin NOW but the Bat Signal needs to replace a couple AAA Batteries.  Hence the Lo-Bat signal 

​Ok, today I am not concerned about that low Batman Signal, but I can experience trouble with a Lo-Batt Signal in my 'spirit'.

Let me explain..

Then Monday comes, followed by it's evil sidekicks  Tuesday - Friday.  The Good News shared on Sunday is replaced by  24/7 Bad News channels.  Oh good does happen but that does not sell ads for CNN, FOX, CBS, NBC, or ABC. 

So my Sunday 'No Perfect People Allowed' is hijacked with a slogan that resembles a 'What happens in Vegas , stays in Vegas'. attitude. and.. there is rush hour traffic!

Monday through Friday replaces the generosity found when the offering plate is passed on Sunday with a land of greed.  Greed in the work place, and greed in a society where wants are more important than needs. 

Oh yeah, I almost forgot almost every Monday-Friday after working 8 hours I am TIRED.  It's November now and within an hour after getting home from work it is getting dark, and I live in Minnesota so it goes without saying it is getting cold.  All this is draining on my spirit and creating in me a LO-BATT condition.

Ok, as 'per usual' I do embellish a bit, but I do not think I am the only one who feels drained by the week and wondering where that Sunday Spirit has gone. So what's a lo-batt fella like me supposed to do?   
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My Painful Introspection.. by Jeff Larson

1.  Pain.. it hurts,
2.  I don't like hurting,
3.  I bruise like a peach, and
4.  If it is said most of the important lessons learned in life are through our failures and our pain.. then I would be OK with skipping a few.

For those of you that know me, aches and pains have been my lifelong complaint.  I have migraines, a bad back, and as get older arthritis is my constant companion. Of course PAIN IS a relative experience, as I know the headaches, and bad back I suffer with are trivial by comparison to what others suffer with.  None the less they are MY pains and THEY DO HURT... and this is MY blog. :)

Ok there were no 'documented' insurance claims in our Bibles but I would like to share a few moments where it would have come in handy.  I will call the following.. The Aflack Apocrapha .

Let me share a few bumps and bruises that Aflack could have helped with.

• Goliath is an obvious candidate after showing concussion symptoms.
• Sisera and his splitting headache that Excedrin would not touch.
• Everyone on that Jericho Wall was built in compliance to OSHA regulations.. so Aflack would be nice.
• Abimelech.. though he refuses to give details on exactly what happened, but was covered by the accidently rock on head clause.
• Eutychus.. who had a great fall but recovered.

Other probable insurance claims I noticed a  need for are..

• Lost digit insurance had a place in the OT.
• Eglon was a good candidate for back surgery... to have a 'SWORD' removed
• Insurance when you are seriously, VERY SERIOUSLY sick
• Coverage for loss of home, family, and health, and your name is Job
• and even pet insurance

So there you have it.. The Aflack Apocrapha .  I am pretty sure this illustrated blog/writing will NOT become an addendum accepted part of the canon of scripture, but I am ok with that.

May God bless you with health and good insurance.

Jeff