Balancing the Challenges in Life
Do we become less tolerant of behavioral quirks in others after we’ve lost our hero? Are we less willing to overlook those annoying foibles in others and just exclaim “get over it already?”
Why is it we feel like this? I think there are two reasons.
a. We resent people telling us to “get over it” so we transfer that resentment to someone else. Didn’t Jesus say, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3-5
How many times did people ask you if you were over your grief or if you had moved on yet? Besides being annoying, that question was simply a reminder of how much our lives have changed. We don’t get over it or move on. We move forward while living a new type of normal. Nothing will ever be the same again. But it is up to us to work through the pain and the adjustments. The whole situation cannot be blamed on anyone else. We cannot be so critical of each other that we forget each one of us has something we are trying to work through, whether it is grief, anger, addiction, or whatever. We need to give each other a break! More importantly, we each have a contribution to make to this world, no matter how large or small. Everyone has value.
b. We realize how short life on this planet can be and truly don’t want others to be so caught up in the trivia of life that they forget to live and forget to enjoy others.
But we are also reminded that each moment in time is important. Don’t let a moment go by without telling someone “thank you”, or “I love you”, or “I appreciate you”. Everyone is special in some way or another and we need to let them know that now.
The ongoing challenge is to live and let live. It doesn’t mean you have to accept everyone’s behavior, especially when hurtful or destructive. But before becoming angry and resentful, why not try to view those people as Christ views them. I struggle with this daily. I get mad on the freeway in traffic. I get frustrated and annoyed at someone else’s behavior. If Christ can see beyond all of our flaws, shouldn’t we be able to see beyond the flaws in others? Can we just look up and take a deep breath before the angry words just tumble out of our mouth? Matthew 15:10-11
There is a balance. We don’t have to agree, we don’t have to be best friends or even friends at all with the entire human race. But we can try to understand that all of us are imperfect; no…”really flawed” is a more apt description. Don’t we each long for acceptance? If God can look past our flawed lives because His Son says we’re OK, can’t we see people the same way? We are humans, we are imperfect. But we are all worth a second (or third, or fourth, or hundredth) chance. We have a God in Heaven who thinks so. So should we.
And with Him, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26
She is also the mother of an American Hero. Her only child, Sgt. Rhys W. Klasno was killed in action on "Mother's Day," 13 May 2007 in Haditha, Iraq. Read her American Hero Tribute Blog and check out her Roofing Solutions Wonderkid Blog
- HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY RHYS - July 16, 2016
- Running the Race - August 4, 2014
- Testing the limits of my endurance - July 4, 2014
Just the other day Cid was telling me a funny story about one day when Rhys was answering the phones at the office. It was one of those days when you really need a good laugh, and Rhys was there for us. How many lives he continues to touch, and he remains bigger than life to me, a young man I have not yet met. I believe we all travel in spiritual circles, and his mother has brought him to my circle. I love and appreciate them both very much.
Comment by Carol and Cid — May 8, 2011 @ 8:38 am