THOUGHTS ABOUT WAR ROOM

I'm always the one late to the party so I just went to see War Room Saturday. I found the movie well written, the acting was good, and the characters seemed true to their personalities. I say that because many religious movies lack those qualities. I laughed and I cried. On one occasion I was laughing while I cried.

While I watched the movie I thought back to my own marriage. Yes, I spent a lot of time trying to fix my husband, but I did also pray for him. I do believe in free will so I know my prayers do not have the power to make someone do my will. Prayers are not about making God give me what I want, either.War Room was all about prayer and how prayer is important in relationships.

Not every marriage can be saved by prayer, but prayer will make the praying person stronger, so that he/she might more easily survive the inevitable. Prayer is always the best choice.

My son will soon marry and I suggested that he and his fiance watch the movie, War Room so they can start the marriage right. I guess that is the best possible recommendation I can give the movie.

ONE NEVER KNOWS

I saw another news report about the baby, Aniston Walker. As I wrote in my last blog post, the baby's death still haunts me. We are limited individuals. We don't know what's going on around us.

Sometimes I forget to stop, look about, and ask myself, "What's going on around me? How's the other guy's life?"

A few years ago I drove a route past one school to work at another. On my way to work, I regularly passed a particular crossing guard. She was a woman with a lot of pep, even early in the morning. Whether in the sunshine, rain, or frigid weather, she always had a smile on her face as she directed traffic.

I didn't suspect it at the time, but I later came to know that woman, and that all was not as it appeared.

That woman was a single mother raising two sons almost completely on her own. During that year I drove passed her on the way to work, her family lost their home and all their possessions in a flood. By the end of that year she was diagnosed with cancer.

--And all the while she smiled as she directed traffic before and after school.

I pray that I will be more sensitive, aware that those around me have needs. It may cause me to remember to say a prayer and offer a little kindness to those who cross my path.

Memorial Day

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. In the U. S. it is a day set aside to honor and remember those who died on the battlefield. Mostly, children today don't even know what the day is about, except that school is almost over.

Our President has asked people to stop at 3:00 PM for a moment of silenced to remember those who are on the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan. I suggest we do one better. Why don't we stop for a moment of prayer for those soldiers and all other soldiers? A moment of prayer will do much more good than a moment of meditation.

Ask a soldier which he would rather receive, kind thoughts or prayers.