Act Two, Scene Four: In which my life replicates the next to last scene of The Christmas Carol.

Sometimes my life seems like those last scenes in 'A Christmas Carol', where the ghost of Christmas Future is showing the future to Ebenezer Scrooge and he sees the street people of London pouring over his property after he is dead. It has been kind of strange to see people walking around the office discussing what stuff is whose and what is going to leave and what stays and where the new offices will be located. It is interesting, in a scary kind of way.

I have never had the feeling that I am in complete control of my life. The mark of other hands have seemed evident around me. But recently, I feel more in the control of others.

Now, I don't mind when I feel the presence of God's hand. I would quite prefer it. There is something comforting to me when his presence is felt. But when other humans seem to be directing the play, it feels a little out of control. I don't necessarily trust the directors and producers at hand.

But we are all in the control of the judges and juries and title insurance companies. And doctors and dentists. And barbers and plumbers. And the government and the IRS and the Department of Revenue. So, I don't know why I should feel any different now than at any other time.

And the legislature is almost in session. And the President will be sworn in later this month. And all those new legislators and administrators and bureaucrats. Yikes! No wonder I feel this way.