Have there ever been times in your life when you thought that you had your activities pretty well planned out and things were under control?
Then “BAM,” things changed on a dime.
If that has ever happened to you, then you will know why one of my favorite has been and continues to be: “Man plans while God laughs.”
Where am I going with this?
A couple of days ago I finished--or at least thought I had finished--my Word of Encouragement for this week. But then somebody sent me this picture. Suffice it to say that it was a “game changer” that literally stopped me in my tracks.
Truth be told, before seeing that picture, I thought my day had been pretty challenging. Maybe it was because I started off by having to fill up my car with gas, paying $4.68 per gallon--up from about $3.10 just one year ago. Then the traffic going to downtown Chicago was just awful--really, really awful. And once in the city, a driver cut me off, snuck into the parking garage ahead of me, and stole the primo parking spot that should have been mine, forcing me to walk a couple hundred extra steps. And that was just for starters!
Woe is me, my life is so tough and challenging--or so I thought.
And then I saw this picture of a five year-old sister helping her four year-old brother who is battling cancer and the effects of chemotherapy. As the post noted: My problems just got smaller.
Perhaps some of you who are reading this note can empathize and identify with me about those times when we need to have an “attitude adjustment” or, as my friend Steve will occasionally remind me, “Pick up the clue phone, dial reality, and recalibrate your perspective.”
Seeing this picture also reminded me of relatives and friends who are dealing with life-threatening health issues or personal challenges with a spirit that is both humbling and inspirational. For example, my friend Mike’s wife Ruthie, a.k.a. the Norwegian Princess, is in an epic battle as she beats back cancer.
But when I read Mike’s Caring Bridge notes (which are both beautiful and touching), Ruthie isn’t retreating or giving up. She is visiting her son, meeting with her girl friends, and living out her faith. In other words, I don’t think she has time to bemoan high gas prices, lost parking spots, or worry about other things that are truly inconsequential.
I also thought about a friend and former neighbor who recently succumbed to ALS after a two year battle. At the funeral, as his daughter read a beautiful farewell note that Pat had authored prior to his passing, everyone in attendance was reminded about the things that really matter in life: Faith, Family and Friends.
Several years ago, I heard a great message that was built on this theme: “Don’t let it steal your joy!” It’s a message that is more timely than ever, because the “it” in this message is really all the “stuff” that is going on in the world, or on a more personal level for me, “stuff” like dastardly people who cut me off in traffic and steal my coveted parking spots 😊.
At the end of the day, is this “stuff” that can periodically knock us off our game and get us upset and emotionally charged up really that important? The speaker closed his message by encouraging us to focus on the things that lift you up instead of dwelling on the stuff that will bring you down. Personally, I can do a better job in this area.
How about you? Are there things that are draining your energy or dragging you down?
If so, perhaps this advice from a friend of mine can help: “Change the channel, look around, and see the incredible blessings that God has poured in to your life!”
In Philippians, Paul wrote: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Seemed like good advice back then. It’s even better advice today!
