WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

This year Friday, the 13th came just before Valentine's Day. You had a day celebrated as being unlucky, followed by a day where people celebrate love and sweethearts. School children even had their Valentine's Day parties on Friday, the 13th.

What a difference a day makes.

The older I get, the more I realize that one day can make a big difference. Sometimes a good day is followed by a bad. Other times it is a bad day that is followed by a good one. Either way, it is important to be prepared.

 Lately, I've been having some trouble with illness, back pain severe enough it has affected my walking. I was in constant pain. In time, however, the pain was only present as I moved. Then the pain was only present during and after exercise. Exercise was always necessary or I wouldn't be able to walk properly.

Oh, I was so tired of constantly hurting, of pain with every step. When I was able to walk with a cane and return to work, I still came home to a messy house. I barely had the energy to make it up the steps to my bedroom to rest. I was so weary of the nagging pain and messy house, I was always close to or in tears.

--But each day I saw a new improvement. I could stand to work a few more minutes on the Nu-Step elliptical machine at the YMCE, or I could walk a step or two without my cane. I was sleeping through the night a little better. Yes, each day was an improvement.

Life is like that. There is a constant ebb and flow to things. One day can make a drastic difference in one's situation and perspective.

I once heard a PSA for a suicide hot line that said, "Don't try to solve a temporary problem with a permanent solution." Wise words.

I know I have gotten through a lot of hardship by remembering the famous last words in Gone With The Wind. "After all, tomorrow is another day."


How very true.

LEGALISM VS KINDNESS

The death of actor and comedian, Robin Williams, took most people by surprise. He was brilliant. His work touched millions.

The second surprise was the response to the suicide. I don't care how worldly people respond to such a thing. Non-Christians are not expected to have the same lens by which we view the world.

What did surprise me was that so many Christians threw out opinions without thinking about the feelings and sensitivities of others. They didn't consider that other members of Facebook or their message boards might also have known others who have committed suicide. They could have been tactful or helpful. Instead, they chose to run their mouths.

One person posted that anyone who commits suicide will go to Hell. I asked her to give me a Bible verse upon which she based this belief. Many people have said that, but no one has given me a verse. She never got back to me on that one.

There was one site where a person posted some things that made me feel that she, also, might be battling depression. I began to message her advice. She has struggled in the past but said she was presently stable.

What happened next surprised me. I received many comment that singled me out for showing a helpful, positive attitude toward someone in need. In a short time, the post received over 45 likes. I stopped checking after that.  Most people said that they were bothered by so many legalistic comments and it was refreshing to see someone show concern for another person.

This saddened me. Showing kindness. concern, and helpfulness to others should be the rule, not the exception. As Christians we are to be known for our love even when we don't understand why people do what they do.