Little Gus is pulling his old, beat-up red wagon down the sidewalk. 

A local preacher is walking along the same path just a few feet behind him.

As they’re walking, one of the four wheels on the wagon falls off.

Gus stomps his feet and yells,
“What the hell, damn it!” 

The preacher sees this as a perfect teaching moment.

He says,
“Gus, as we go through life, things happen. Sometimes things are good, and sometimes things are bad.”

“But the good news is that the good Lord is with us at all times.”

“And for that reason, we should say ‘Praise the Lord’ when good or bad things happen. Do you understand?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” replies Gus, as he picks up the wheel and tosses it into his wagon. “I guess I should be glad I still have three wheels left.”

The two continue on their way.

A few minutes later, another wheel falls off.

“What the hell, damn it!” yells Gus.

“Gus, I think the words you’re looking for are ‘Praise the Lord,’” says the preacher. “For He is with you and looks after you during your times of distress.”

Gus shrugs, picks up the wheel, and tosses it into the wagon. It’s awkward pulling it with only two wheels, but at least he can keep going.

Not long after, a third wheel falls off.

“What the hell, damn it!” pouts Gus.

“I think what you mean to say is ‘Praise the Lord,’” says the preacher. “Things may seem tough, but the good Lord is watching over you. These trials and tribulations will come and go, but you will survive.”

“I know,” replies Gus. “I was just shocked again. I’ll try harder next time.”

He bends down, picks up the wheel, and throws it into his wagon with the others. Now he’s pulling it with only one wheel, using both hands and struggling.

Just as Gus is so tired he can hardly continue, the last wheel falls off the wagon.

He stops and looks at his poor wagon, which is clearly beyond pulling now.

Gus takes a deep breath and, with much enthusiasm and sincerity, says,
“Praise the Lord!” 

Suddenly, the wagon floats up into the air. 

One by one, the wheels reconnect themselves securely in place. The wagon gently floats back to the ground, fully repaired.

The preacher’s jaw drops in awe and says…

“What the hell, damn it!”