LIFE AS WE KNOW IT

Once there was a fellow named Dan....I have a grandson called Dan.  He was named after the great Daniel of the bible. Daniel's bible story is quite interesting, I think.  His story occurs during the years when God told His people that if they didn't obey Him, they would be captured by the Babylonians and their homes in Judah would be destroyed. Just as God said, Daniel found himself with many others captive in Babylonia.  Daniel never strayed from his faithfulness to God and God gave him the gift of prophesying and being able to understanding the visions of the king, Nebuchadnezzar.




My grandson, Dan, is a great guy.  He has done a fine  job in the last couple of years in trying to overcome a horrific addiction. In spite of situations that were beyond his  control, he is on the mend. We are all very proud of him, and his love for his family and his God will continue to be a gift to the world. What he has overcome has been tragic and yet, he, too, has found a faithfulness to God that will be his forever.




But let's concentrate of why you and I need this gift of faithfulness to God.  Today, our world is full of chaos, hardship, and insecurity.  This is September Eleventh, and even the words bring to mind the horror we all felt in the year 2001. Two planes flew into New York City and crashed into two twin skyscrapers killing hundreds. Those of us alive at that time will never forget the sickening horror and the sorrow that never goes away. So many died. So many families left fatherless or motherless.




Then, too, drunk drivers kill.  Their passengers, those in oncoming cars, too, can die or become injured. Guns are sold to those who intend to use them for harm.  School-children are afraid of strangers, yet those they know may harm them first. Horrible deaths occur from new diseases.  Old-age can bring hardship and Alzheimer's.  Anger is used against children and pets. There is no place to hide from the evils of the world.




Yet, God is here among us to protect us, to help guide us through a tragedy, and sometimes to hold us close while we shed our tears. God is always here.  He is always among us.  He may be in us.




We cannot expect a perfect, unblemished life.  We are here in the world, this world! We can do as Daniel did and trust God through any circumstances we may encounter, even through a tragedy.




We must not expect a perfect life. But we can expect a life perfected by the Spirit of God.


To all those remembering the hurt that came this day so long ago.......


GOD IS HERE.  GOD IS AMONG US!


Thanks be to God!


Jo in MN