What happened to those ambitions conjured up during the college years of a grandiose, idyllic life? Well, they were merely desires that could have taken root had there not been the competition of 500,000 people vying for the same jobs. I was just too naive to understand or too idealistic in faith to know that it would take many cracked backs to stand on in order to climb to the top.
What happened to the "blissful" years of marriage? Well, that's just a case of too much Hollywood and myopia of youth to look long term or heed the advice of people who have been down the road—a lot like telling a 12-year old why something works the way it does.
What happened to the step-by-step outline one makes in his head, on paper, or both, to get to the lifestyle that sets one above the plane of worry? Well, one finds that it all depends on what he's willing to sacrifice or compromise on or let go altogether or doggedly fight for. And those matters are all what is in one's world view or religious faith or both.
What happened? Life. No one's prepared, some more than others, but no one fully. And arriving at a full understanding of life never happens either. So, it's tempting to be like the Old Testament character of Job, questioning, demanding an answer from a deity. But it's better to take the Great Teacher's advice:
25 This is why I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth much more than birds?
27 Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? 28 And why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow: they do not work or make clothes for themselves. 29 But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. 30 It is God who clothes the wild grass---grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won't he be all the more sure to clothe you? What little faith you have!
31 So do not start worrying: Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes? 32 (These are the things the pagans are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. 33 Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things. 34 So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.
Matthew 6.25-34
So, it seems that a day-at-a-tme attitude is a better way of looking at life than to muse over the track of the past. It would be better to change the question from "What happened?" to "How can I show forgiveness, compassion, friendship, honesty, integrity, and deep love?" (Kingdom of God matters). It's the best advice.
What happened to the "blissful" years of marriage? Well, that's just a case of too much Hollywood and myopia of youth to look long term or heed the advice of people who have been down the road—a lot like telling a 12-year old why something works the way it does.
What happened to the step-by-step outline one makes in his head, on paper, or both, to get to the lifestyle that sets one above the plane of worry? Well, one finds that it all depends on what he's willing to sacrifice or compromise on or let go altogether or doggedly fight for. And those matters are all what is in one's world view or religious faith or both.
What happened? Life. No one's prepared, some more than others, but no one fully. And arriving at a full understanding of life never happens either. So, it's tempting to be like the Old Testament character of Job, questioning, demanding an answer from a deity. But it's better to take the Great Teacher's advice:
25 This is why I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth much more than birds?
27 Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? 28 And why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow: they do not work or make clothes for themselves. 29 But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. 30 It is God who clothes the wild grass---grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won't he be all the more sure to clothe you? What little faith you have!
31 So do not start worrying: Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes? 32 (These are the things the pagans are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. 33 Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things. 34 So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.
Matthew 6.25-34
So, it seems that a day-at-a-tme attitude is a better way of looking at life than to muse over the track of the past. It would be better to change the question from "What happened?" to "How can I show forgiveness, compassion, friendship, honesty, integrity, and deep love?" (Kingdom of God matters). It's the best advice.
1 comment:
Really enjoyed your last 2 blogs.
I wish I could put my thoughts into words as well as you do.
Love you ,
Mom
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