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| What's right about the world? |
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"Look for what's right about the world." The words echo through my thoughts night and day now, and I find myself thinking about the ways I have always tried to look for what's right about the world.
Childhood. Unemployment, food stamps, and welfare: these thoughts of the past, now come back and take center stage. We ate spaghetti every week—it was cheap—and potatoes with milk; and if we were lucky cheese to go with both. Cheese, now that is what's right about the world. Spaghetti made with tomatoes grown in the garden and then painstakingly canned and stored for the winter—my Mom had to practically pull our teeth to get us to pull the skin off those scalded red beauties—now that is what's right about the world. The long ride out to Brentwood; difficult, but picking those ripened succulent peaches only to steal a bite the first moment I got an opportunity—now that is what's right about the world. My list goes on: I never got big presents for Christmas but I did get that Big Jim Rescue Rig the one Christmas I never thought my parents could afford it (that was the terrible year of welfare), Government cheese was free and we took it gladly—a freebie—but we mixed it with beans and had burritos for dinner (I'll never forget those burritos, they tasted so good), I remember retreating to my room many times after being sad about the lack of dinner and the stress it brought my family and especially my mother; however, in my room I had my cat to curl up with (I listened to her soothing purr and forgot about the food situation).
High School. An expensive yearbook and the AP Exam: distant memories of things I wanted but could not obtain. Senior year. My sister and I had to share a yearbook. I let her have it so she could take it around to her friends to sign. It was more important to her and I gave her a moment of joy. That is what is right about the world. I had AP English, and worked all year to get ready for the AP Exam, but I missed it, my parents couldn't afford it. I had a great English teacher—I was her TA as well—she was what was right about the world. I started going to youth group and became a Christian. Finally, I mattered and someone cared about me; now that is what is right about the world.
College. The ride home I never got: but, what I did receive made a lasting impression. This lasting impression and the memory I have of a parent reaching out; this is what is right about the world. I had been visiting my home and I wondered how I was going to get back to UC Santa Cruz where I had been going to school. I asked my mom for a ride. She said, "Go ask your father." I asked my father. He said, "Go ask your mother." I went back to my mother and she said, "Take BART." I fretted over taking BART because I didn't know how I was going to get from San Jose to Santa Cruz. I was going to miss the last bus to Santa Cruz. I wondered if I would have to sit in a rapid transit center all night with people I didn't even know. I was afraid and fearful. I sucked it up and took BART. When I got to San Jose, I had missed all the busses. So I called my housemates. The only person willing to come was Marla. Marla is what is right about the world. She sacrificed her time and gas and drove to San Jose and picked me up. Feeling unloved and insignificant, I cried all the way back to Santa Cruz. I arrived late that night and went straight to bed. In the morning my Dad called to see how I was. He was concerned and knew I was distraught about the trip. My Dad calling, that is what's right about the world. I love my Dad.
First full time pastoral position after seminary. Minister of Education at First Baptist Porterville: I don't even like to think about that memory. I was fired after a year of ministry. At least I didn't have to sit in front of those church board members and listen to everything I was doing wrong. No more criticism, now that is what is right about the world. I wouldn't have to color code everything I did in ministry and keep graphs of my time spent doing those tasks—Hallelujah! Now that is what is right about the world. The youth I met in that year, still I keep in touch; that is what is right about the world. Best of all, I met John, the love of my life, my honey of a husband and consistent companion of 13 years. Now that is what is right about the world.
I've fallen off many cliffs, gone for many exciting rides, and still I come back for more. Like a roller coaster ride, or a bungee jump, the world can seem fearful at times, and yet at the same time it offers moments of exhilaration and satisfaction. That is what is right about the world. |
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You are an amazing writer.. I'm so glad you shared your story. There are a LOT of things right with the world. It's just a matter of recognizing and not keeping them to yourself. :) Blessings..
carol |
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Loved your blog !!!! Its so refreshing to have someone write .... what is right about this world .... than to list what is wrong. It doesn't take an Einstein to see the "wrong" in life, but to be positive in a negative world ..... is terrific !!!!!
Jesus came to seek and to save.....not to point fingers. |
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| Laura, your comparisons revealed as many right things in the world, as there are wrong things.
I am relieved that you choose to focus on the good things. And I get it - the world is full of wrongs. We need to keep our eyes on the good, the right, and the best.
I am reminded of Paul's charge to us. Especially Philippians 4:8
Stay strong and courageous.
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You have a testimony that God is using and every time
you give it, healing will come to someone and also to you.
God has this world, it is his people that he wants.
Thank you for sharing a encouraging testimony that
God's can get the glory from. Keep writing words of
encouragment for God's people in any form or way.
There is always hope in God, and you are living proof.
I pray that your faith in God faint not! |
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| your poems and articles are a blessing to read.god bless you and continue working through you to spread the message of god's to the world |
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| It is too bad that so many churches are operated under some form of government that seemingly have no big picture view of what Christ would have us do - It sickens my heart to hear you were required to spend so much time graphing and color coding some useless reports when so many are out there without Christ waiting for men of God with His message. I am sorry, but your whole "positive" blog about what is right in the world left my mind when I came to the part about your experiences with the CBFH. I appreciate your attitude to once again look at the blessings we have from God in this world - I hope you are still on fire for Christ as you once were. |
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gloria |
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June 17, 2008 at 8:14pm |
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I loved you article, it proves that all things work to the good to them who love God. There is a lot of sadness in this world but if you love God and serve him he is faithful and he gave you the heart you have now from the experiences you've had in this life, you have been truly blessed because you see with love in your heart and because you have the heart of forgiveness. Thank you for sharing. |
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| I agree...Thank you for sharing this! |
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