A Modern Woman's Perspective On The Kingdom of God on Earth


April 13, 2013

Saturday Morning Thoughts

     This Saturday morning finds me in a contemplative mood.  I just couldn't write today on anything specific .... to be honest, I didn't want to face the headlines.  Gun control legislation; increased threats from North Korea; the horrific abortion trial in Philadelphia; the fact that I don't even recognize my country anymore .... there are days it is all too much.
     I keep thinking about what one of my readers, Lisa, said in a comment.  In essence, she expressed that it was nice to read about our trip to Fisher House instead of another post on something else gone wrong in the world.  In other words, we sometimes need to take a break from the bad news; and I know exactly what she meant.  Our time at Fort Sam Houston was the mental break both PLW and I needed. We could escape all the negative noise of the world for a couple of days and immerse ourselves in giving to others.
     But then we returned to reality --- and the problem with finding something uplifting to write about.  Because, from my perspective, I'm not seeing a lot of good news out there.  There are the occasional news stories of everyday heroes who rescue a stranger; or reports of uncommon kindness shown by a fast food worker to a handicapped child who wanted her hamburger "fixed"; or we cling to the newscasts that defy our culture's norm and dare to introduce God into a storyline.  We are that hungry for good news!
     I  have come to realize that the state of this world is not going to provide much good news; at least not the kind of good news that feeds my spirit.  We are living in a declining moral state.  By no means do I think goodness and morality have disappeared!  I see it in you, the readers of this blog, everyday.  I still believe in the inherent goodness of people who know the Lord.  I'm just seeing the increasing power of those who don't (or won't) make the effort to know Him.  And that lack of knowledge of the One who created this world leads to a selfish, greedy and corruptible force that moves humanity towards ruin and destruction.
     So that's where all the bad news comes in.  Civil wars, religious radicals, failing economies, and vanishing freedoms are all the result of mankind seeking their own supremacy and dominion.  It's all about control!
     Now, I realize that you might be among those who are still living comfortably and you don't feel the oppression that others of us do.  Prosperity is still part of your existence and your stability allows you to ignore the shifting sands of security.  But I urge you to pay attention and heed the signs of uncertainty in the world.  Things are definitely changing!
     Since I seem to see things through a darker lens, I have to admit that I'm not seeing much movement towards reversing this trend of societal decay.  So I have decided that it is up to me to make my own good news.  Mind you, it won't be headline grabbing, but it is not intended to be.  I just want to give myself permission to celebrate the small things that are positive in my life and try to focus --- if just for a few minutes each day --- on the good things in my life; kind of like a mental vacation from the reality that awaits me.
     So each morning before that first cup of coffee, before I open my Bible, or take a glance at the news crawlers across the screen, I sit for a few minutes and give thanks for the things in my life that are good. They aren't things that are of monumental importance to anyone else but me, but they are what is within my grasp.  Here's the list from this morning:  the man I share my life with, my wonderful husband; the rain we've received this week and the effects it has had on my garden; the cool mornings, because I know the South Texas summer heat is not far off; the joy of spending time with friends that make me laugh; we have our health (for now); that unexpected commission that came through for PLW; the sounds of the birds singing outside my window; the anticipation of friends coming to visit .....
     I know that all this probably sounds trivial and trite, but I find that it actually gives me a positive mindset to start the day, and helps me to face any discouraging messages that the world throws at me during the course of my day.  It's kind of like giving myself an inoculation against a bad virus;  it strengthens my defenses against a world that seeks to defeat my faith, my hope and my self-reliance.  And with this positive start to each day, I am persuaded, more than ever, that I can face whatever is coming.  There IS good news in this world, and it starts with us!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18       "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
       
   

2 comments:

  1. This post really made me think. I have never cried when I read a post, but this just really made me think. Thank you.

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    1. Your comment touched my heart! We are all facing the same spiritual conflicts and we need to make concerted efforts to see the good in God's world and encourage each other. I hope you are blessed in your contemplation.

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