Gradually, then Suddenly: Hemingway’s Warning

There’s a line in Hemingway’s book, The Sun Also Rises, that I’ve been reflecting on recently. “How did you go bankrupt?” Bill asked. “Two ways, Mike said. “Gradually, then suddenly.”

Have you ever looked up and wondered, “How did I get here?” You suddenly realize your health, finances, or marriage is a wreck. It happens to all of us. It’s the way habits work. It’s the way, canyons, beer bellies and bankruptcies are made. One drip at a time.

The good news is it can work both for good or for disaster. It’s also something that the wise (or at least aware) man can sometimes spot coming while they’re still in the “gradual” part. They can mend their line or recast.

In my life, I went from gradually drifting away from my first wife to suddenly finding myself in an affair with another women. By the way, God graciously used my eventual divorce to suddenly get my attention and to make a decision to follow Christ as my Lord and Savior. God found me when I was suddenly shipwrecked, rescued me, saved my life and also gave me a life of significance.

Fast forward…In my life I also went from gradually reading God’s Word and spending time around other Christ followers to suddenly hosting weekly dinners and weekend retreats and book studies for other divorced guys that had also found themselves gradually, then suddenly divorced.

I was wondering, “What about you? Can you relate to what I’m saying? Do you have a Gradually, then Suddenly story you can share on the FATC FORUM that might wake up or encourage another FATC guy? Or would you like to get together to talk about it face-to-face?” I’m a good listener. Give me call.