IN RESPONSE TO OUR CIRCUMSTANCES

Life can be tragic, comic, or one of a million other circumstances, situations or incidences. How courageous we are doesn't depend on how we react to tragedy, sorrow, pain or any of the negative things that can happen to us- but rather our attitude to the things that happen! Death in the family, a fire destroys our home, tornado, earthquake... things happen. Things that we can have no control over. A car accident... someone else hits me... or you.

I pray that whatever comes my way, that I will have the presence of mind to know that God Himself is in control of my life, my mind and my heart/attitude!

Life is so routine. Ordinary, event-filled days. Work, school, night courses or classes, sporting events, social activities, church activities involving youth, adult, both or whatever. We have to go to the grocery, to gas up the car, to pick up the dry cleaning... too many things to do, and not enough time to do everything we wish or would want.

Routine can be interrupted by tragedy or accident that is not tragedy but interrupts the flow of our lives.

We have to deal with things we would rather not. With people we would rather not have to deal with.

But the fact is, we have to deal with things, pleasant or not. Some are forced on us, or maybe not but are unavoidable. Sometimes people do things to us that are not right.

Life is not perfect and we shouldn't expect it to be. But what we SHOULD expect, is that God will help us to practice a mindset that will transcend all circumstances.

I am not perfect, myself.

But I continually pray that no matter what may happen, He will give me the attitude He wants me to face problems with. That He will give me the grace to face horror and pain, if not with understanding, then at least with a heart of acceptance that He dwells within my heart and mind and enables me to endure all uncertainty with patience and His lovingkindness.

A pretty tall order?

We can fold, fight or run...

Or we can stand and stand in His arms, His hands, His shadow, His mercy and grace.

And forgive others, no matter what they have done to me.

I heard on the radio that those young ladies whom Imus had offended, have publicly announced their forgiveness. They go on with their lives.

Many neither forgive or go on with their lives. They make this whole situation one in which they fully intend to remain- and go on "yelling" about how wrong the jerk is and how wrongly he has treated those young ladies.

The group of young girls shot to death by that gunman, months ago, in that religious community of the Amish... how horrible and tragic. That community has forgiven that gunman and his family- and they go on with their lives. Even though they may be living lives full of pain and sorrow, they go on.

And yet America is full of Christians who neither forgive or forget. Let alone attempt to go on living and moving through life in a positive, productive direction.

As a nation we should be ashamed that we do not forgive and forget.

Not each other...

Not anyone else outside these borders.

I will not rant about war or peace.

My support of U. S. troops is strong! I support them spiritually and morally, and emotionally. But I can see no reason to live a life and mind full of hate for other cultures.

I would like to think there is a place for me in heaven.