Somewhere, deep within the sadness of an inner-city homeless shelter,
a woman provides a blanket and a bowl of soup to a young boy who lies
sleepless late into the night. He was so hungry. The day had been so
long and cold. “It gets better,” she whispers over and over. “Everything
is going to be okay.”
Elsewhere, in a quiet room in a lockdown
memory unit, a caseworker holds the hand of an aging woman at bedtime.
There is no recollection of what was had for dinner. But a discussion
about the old days rages on like it happened just yesterday. “Your dad
taught you how to drive when you were fourteen? You’ve never told me
that story. Tell me all about it.”
Right here, in our little
corner of the world, an attorney skips lunch so she can counsel a victim
of domestic violence. There is no money for a retainer. And the case
will be complex. “I can’t thank you enough,” the client comments. “I
really need an attorney. I really appreciate you making the time for
me.”
In the darkness, a light shines.
Though the worst in human behavior is often the lead story, goodness exists.
In truth, the good outweighs the bad.
…
…
SHE WAS TOO young to die. She had such a loving heart and a promising
future. To her grieving parents, the two months since her passing has
felt like twenty years. But in the midst of their pain, a local pastor —
a longtime family friend — is always there. He does not pretend to have
all the answers, but he lends comforting words, a reassuring
presence…and hope.
The father of two thought the pain in his
lower back was the result of working too hard in the yard. But the
x-rays showed a mass, and the biopsy confirmed it was malignant. The
days after chemo are the worst. And yet they are the best, too. That’s
when the Cancer Care group floods him with text messages, all with a
familiar theme: “We’re with you every step of the way.”
They
needed a miracle worker, but what they got was a hard-worker who had
boundless enthusiasm. Last year they won only one game, but so far they
have already won five. The new coach mixes discipline with unconditional
love, dedication with sincere appreciation, and fundamentals with a
winning perspective. “One play, one moment, one game at a time,” the
coach says. “That’s how winners do it.”
The Temptations sang, “I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day.”
Forrest Gump said, “Miracles happen every day. Some people don’t think so, but they DO.”
Christmas celebrates the birth of a little boy who one day conquered
all worry and stress, even death. He said, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light
of life.”
…
…
IN EVERY DISASTER, most people are seen running
away, but first responders are seen running in. In conflict situations,
cynics perpetuate the turmoil, but peacemakers try to find harmony.
I don’t buy in to stereotypes, which often focus on negativity. There
are welfare recipients who have values, wealthy business owners who have
hearts, politicians who have principles, and young people who have
ambition.
Today, a lonely older woman went looking for a used car, and a friendly salesman treated her right.
Tomorrow, a traveling salesman will be stuck on a highway, far away
from home, and a mechanic will stay late, do good work, and charge a
reasonable price so the man can be home with his family for Christmas.
In the days and months ahead, a movie will be shot, a song will be
recorded, and a book will be written that will literally transform your
entire way of thinking. It will literally light your world.
…
…
THERE IS AN OLD story of a man looking down on a small village that was
impoverished. Its buildings were in disrepair and its people short on
hope.
The man looked to the sky and said, “God, why don’t you do something about that?”
God said, “I did.”
“I made you.”