War could be looming. Bombs are going off in Israel and Iran and London is looking less and less like the western world and more and more like a busy mideastern metropolis. There is unrest in the United States with all of the issues front and center from high inflation and interest rates, that make it hard for the day to day life of American households. Parents have concern for their children both young and adult children who live lives financially more difficult than those their parents did. Safety is of high concern and with a porous border, thousands of illegals are flooding into our country. We are giving benefits equal to or greater than those of our own citizens. Many are undocumented and some looking to nefarious activities. The country is divided politically a candidate for President, a former President, experienced an assassination attempt at a rally while one spectator was murdered and two seriously. The agency there to protect him appears to be extremely unqualified and incompetent yet, no one has lost their job and this is seeming to be a common denomination across the government agencies with a “screw-up, move-up” hierarchy in play and a current President forced to drop out of a Presidential race, in coup like form. This is not the way we do things in this country. A wise person would assess that the issues facing our country and world wide are not sustainable and are leading to a great deterioration in the quality of our world. These problems will have to be addressed eventually and the longer they go on, the larger they will become and harder they will be to manage. This does not sound like a bright future or optimistic reading selection, I agree. Hold that thought…
On Sunday morning, sitting in a worship service, thinking, as the pastor wrapped up a study of a book from the Old Testament, human nature is the same generation after generation. Government corruption is nothing new, people make poor choices, good choices, people get jealous, angry, commit crimes, commit adultery, murder, look out for their neighbor, raise children, get married, celebrate joyous occasions and experience hardship and tragedies. How is it that people, survive the calamities that come their way to live to celebrate the festivities of life? That is the way it is, you know. No body promised us a rose garden or that life would be a bowl full of cherries. In fact, it says in the Bible that we will experience trials and tribulations on this earth. It’s always surprising to me that people sometimes ask themselves when a tragedy comes their way, “Why me? What did I do to deserve all this?” I’ve heard more than one sermon from different pastors at different churches ask “And why not you?” If you live in the western world, you’re most likely very fortunate to be able to live a life with enough food, clothing, shelter and an education as well as many luxuries like a car to drive a warm bed to sleep in and other factors that are in many places in the world, not possible. Sometimes we forget how very fortunate we are. My dad used to say that for someone to have a good life there was somebody along the way who had to struggle and suffer and in many ways I think that’s true and I’ve written about this before. As humans, we can get used to a nice comfortable life. Maybe that’s why it’s very easy to ask when something goes wrong. “Why me?”
I do think that some people handle stress and the calamities of life better than others. Maybe that’s just the way they’re wired or maybe they are people who just have a thicker skin. I also believe that part of getting through a tough time, is making the choice that you’re going to make the best of a bad situation and you’re going get through it. I think that these people have a thorough understanding of the concept that this is part of life on earth.
Another factor, I believe that helps people get through the difficult times in life is something I have observed over many years of life experience and reading, is that some people whether they realize it or not, live with the attitude that they are going to “Live in the goodness of God.” When you decide to live in the Goodness of God, you realize that there is good even in the worst of situations. These are the people play music in Auschwitz and it gives them hope to survive another day (remember the movie, Playing for Time, with Jane Alexander and Vanessa Redgrave. They see the Blessings of a life well lived in faithfulness to the Lord when faced with the loss of a loved one or the lessons learned when their patience is tried when they go through a long illness or hardship.
Living in the Goodness of God, requires, the constant attitude that the glass is half full, that there is a lesson to be in every bad situation that the hard times make us appreciate the good times and they realize that the world is not a perfect place. Living in the Goodness of God means looking for the good in people and when we they are attacked, disrespected or treated poorly, they understanding that sometimes there are people or situations that are best to walk away from, praying for these people to find their peace and goodness but not allowing themselves to be negatively brought down by the bad apples. Some influences are best left out of our lives, influences that can cause us to react or behave in a way that is out of character for ourselves, at times, putting ourselves or those we care for at risk. Best to move on, wishing the best for all.
Jenn Johnson, who made “Goodness of God” a hit on the left and Detroit born, CeCe Winans, who recorded a recent version of this very simple, yet grand in meaning song, “Goodness of God”
…At the end of the service last Sunday morning, the song “Goodness of God” was the closing hymn. As the lyrics appeared on the screen, I sang and tears ran down my face as I listened for the first time to this very simple, yet beautiful song described exactly how I feel about the gifts God has given me over a life time. I didn’t immediately look up the song, but as I completed this week’s essay, I did. Originally written, Christian worship singer and pastor Jenn Johnson, her husband, Brian Johnson, Ed Cash, Ben Fielding and Jason Ingram. The song was inspired by Jenn singing how she felt as she adopted their fourth child as she drove in her car. Many other singers have recorded this song, most recently, CeCe Winan, who’s video I saw first. A woman about my age, looking back on the gifts of family in her life.
People who live in the Goodness of God are a peculiar bunch. They cannot imagine living any other way. They too get frustrated, get disappointed at times, experience the normal ups and downs of life and get their feelings hurt. They are human too. Others may say that they look at the world through rose colored glasses and maybe they do at times. Some people have a hard time understanding how they can be so positive in a world with so much uncertainty, negativity and darkness. They try to find humor in tough situations, they make lemons out of lemonade, they are there for the friend who thinks they can’t go on and they sit with them. They hold the hand of a loved one as they leave this earth and are glad they were there so they weren’t alone and know they will see them again. They are there when a friend gets bad news and they know that sometimes words are not needed, just company to sit with.
People who live in the Goodness of God love their neighbor for who they are as a human being. Where they come from or what they believe is not relevant, they know that love is the universal language. Those who live in the Goodness of God hurt when another human being hurts, even if it’s someone on the other side of the world.
“All my life you have been faithful,
All my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God…
I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
And in darkest night You are close Like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me…”
In my own personal experience, God has blessed me with so much more than I deserve, in terms of my family, friends, the patients to get through the tough times, a healthy body that allow me to be active, the ability to be creative, to cook, travel to places I could have only imagined. At one time, an illness could have robbed me of being healthy enough to raise our children and could have meant that I would have not been around to see our kids graduate from high school and two get married and start their own families. Surviving to be able to be around for these monumental milestones in our life as a family give me a unique perspective. People who have similar experiences may feel the same gratitude. I wake up every morning grateful of the many gifts that God has given to me, gifts not to be squandered by any means. In addition to the gift of time and life, the gift to teach, impart wisdom and creativity are gifts to be utilized to the best of my ability. There is a constant sense of gratitude for what I have been given. I feel the joyous weight of gratitude each and everyday that makes each day brighter and every smile bigger…
So, maybe if you are feeling a little down, a little negative, a little pessimistic, give it a try. Here’s how you do it; think about the good in your life, the special people who love you, then consider the things you take for granted, like a beautiful sunset after a rainstorm, a beautiful flower, a delicious dinner enjoyed with good company, classical music that stirs your heart (or any music that inspires you), a piece of art that is pleasing to the eye, a handmade dessert or letter written by a special person. Consider the gift of a good night sleep on a comfortable bed, the miracle of a new born baby. The text or call from a dear friend, the memory of a good time with a grandparent a sibling or a childhood friend…Do you see where I’m going with this? To marvel at the gracious factors of life, might lead to you saying…It’s a Great Day…I hope so.
