Is God an aggravating, discouraging, disheartening and exasperating Dad?

Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.

Prepare your tiny violins, crying baby imitations, and other expressions of "Just get over yourself."
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So I just helped scores of neighbors get the money to charter a bus to travel safely through winter weather (see the two preceding posts). You know what? It made me feel good. I won't lie. I was even - gasp - a bit uplifted and proud of my efforts.

Within 48 hours of that, my snow blower, which had been fully serviced prior to the winter, broke down as I tried to clear my driveway and sidewalks.

Even better, my car is losing traction on even the least bit of ice or mushy snow - several near accidents and exciting post-red light slides through intersections. It's also emitting a burning aroma and losing power going up hills.

The story is told of St. Teresa of Avila, stuck with her broken down cart on a muddy path, shaking her fist at God and snarling, "If this is how you treat your friends, it's no wonder you have so few."

I'm with her at the moment. The predictable "No good deed goes unpunished" crap of the last few days is, well, predictable.

Some will say, "Maybe it's not God, but the devil lashing out at you for doing what God wants." That leaves the same problem in place, though. It's like the Almighty sent me out to shovel the snow while he watches some Bowl games - and won't get up from his recliner when the local bully shows up to pelt me with snow balls and ice chunks.

That verse from Colossians, telling dads not to discourage their kids, gets really troubling when we look at Jesus' portrayal of the heavenly Father:

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13)

I know, I know. All of the adversity is good for me for one theological reason or another...