Things Happen

I really wanted the title to be: “When Stupid Happens”; but decided that I also want to be more dignified than this. Especially when others in my life are implicated. I really don’t want to be tacky like what’s just been done or said feels to me.

However, I seem to be out of control of making dignity happen in the world around me. People do things that I don’t understand. Sometimes it seems less than wise or loving. It shouldn’t have been done that way. So, I wonder if its okay for me to do a little straightening up.

I had about four of these situations come across my radar in one week; I was getting sick of it. Two questions kept surfacing. The first question was: What’s wrong with people? And the second, not any more helpful, Is it just me?

I have learned ,though, that “straightening things up a bit” often backfires. I begin to feel really unhappy and anxious with myself for trying, or I get push-back that lets me know that I just stuck my neck out and wasted my time, to boot. Or I simply managed to make someone feel badly.

So what should happen? I’m not willing to carry the whole thing myself and say that it was just me feeling bummed over nothing. Things DO happen. People are heedless and unkind or forgetful maybe out of self-absorption, fear or ignorance. Often we are so busy doing the right thing over in this back forty of our farm that we are neglecting a problem on the front porch at the house. I need to accept that I don’t see the whole picture. It’s not possible for me to read rooms I am not aware of. And a lot happens in our lives these days that is not possible to know about. Good things, and worthwhile.

So here’s my little list of things I can do when bad things happens to me or to one of my 100 people.

• Pray. I must bring Jesus to the room. Nothing else offers as much healthy perspective to these situations.
• Trust. Then I have to choose to trust outcomes to the Almighty. Honestly, for the truly stupid things, God did. He brought Jesus to redeem and to save. I can warn and all that; but God judges.
• Talk to my trustworthy person. This happens to be Elv, in my life. He helps me by listening and understanding. He also has a way of laughing in the right places so that I don’t take myself quite so seriously. He doesn’t depreciate true concern, though.
• Keep breathing and stay busy minding my own business.
• Listen for wisdom and acknowledgement from others.
• Watch for a break in the clouds. Expect God to be working.
• Offer comfort to the hurting without spreading ill will.
• Not give up on people. Change can happen, as well.