Setbacks

Life isn't perfect. If it were so easy, there would be no need for much of anything, right? I'm beginning to wonder what makes life so complicated sometimes. Getting older, seeing what's happening around me, seeing my friends and family go through drama, it all reminds me how imperfect life is. So, it begs the questions, what do you do about it? What do you ask for? What do you want?

For me, it's been a long term struggle, dealing with setbacks. I'm inherently a very positive and upbeat person, but I have my moments, I have my struggles with setbacks, just like everyone else does. I think my biggest problem is that I over-think, hyper-analyze, over-do my setbacks. I let my mind race a million miles an hour over the reasons and justifications, the solutions that don't exist, and the problems that likewise, don't really exist.

I'm sure I'm not alone...

I did learn something the other day, when I was reading/listening to the Bible. We're in the middle of Lent, so it's a good time for this reflection. It was about King Solomon (Kings 3:5-14).

5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

7 “Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

In my prayers when I have setbacks, this is something to consider. Ask for wisdom and compassion and kindness, and a good discerning heart, instead of asking for my problems to simply vanish or be solved. In my humility, I am granted peace, which in the end, is all I am searching for.

Lent - Day 1

For the first time in 43 years, I'm going to observe and experience Lent. Not so much "go through it" like I have in the past, but really take the time to reflect and focus on something more meaningful personally.

Matthew 6:1-16 are the readings for today, Ash Wednesday, which mark the beginning of Lent. The readings are profound in that some advice is plainly laid out. Humility and Generosity, first and foremost, and their combination. When you give, do so without attention, do so quietly. When you pray, pray privately and quietly. When you fast, don't let everyone know you are doing so.

There's a quiet confidence and peace coming from those words, and as I write this "publicly" in my blog today, it's really meant for my personal reflection and not to broadcast to all, more like a diary I suppose. I am thankful for this time and these precious moments.

Luke 6:37-38

Do not judge, and you will not be judged.
Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.
Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Give, and it will be given to you.