Has a simple statement ever changed your perspective? This happened to me recently during a guitar lesson. I either picked or held down the wrong string over and over. My teacher kept encouraging me. I shook my head in disgust and said, “You’re way too nice.” He responded, “No; the world’s way too mean.”
Wow. There’s so much truth and depth in that.
The world’s a vicious place. Mothers know this. Letting go of my daughter’s hand and watching her walk into Jamestown Elementary on her first day of kindergarten was one of the toughest moments in my life. She was my sweet pea, my baby girl. How could I let her go without me, or without a trusted friend or relative beside her? I sobbed as I drove away.
I actually pulled her from school during the third week. I tried homeschooling her. What a disaster. By Thursday of her only week as a homeschooler, I realized if I were her teacher, she’d still be functionally illiterate by seventh grade and probably wouldn’t learn math beyond one-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. She’d never learn a sport or how to play an instrument. Worst of all, she wouldn’t make friends outside our church.
So, after praying and humbling myself to her kindergarten teacher, I sent her back the following week. I’ve thanked God so many times that I did. If she hadn’t gone to school, I’d have robbed her of so many good things in the world: friendships, volleyball, Girl Scouts, and her youth group, just to name a few.
In a world that’s way too mean, I think we need to bless ourselves with reminders of the good. So what’s good about the world?
You know how much I love nature. I relish the sound of wind rustling leaves. I close my eyes and absorb the melancholy beauty of a mourning dove’s song. Nuthatches hopping up and down trees lifts my spirits.
Music. It’s always been one of the best parts of my life. One of my greatest joys in school was learning to play the trumpet. Music still thrills and comforts me. So I play my trumpet and guitar. I sing. I listen to music.
What else? How about toddlers running into your arms or grabbing you around your thigh? Instant smile.
The smells of baking bread and apple crisp, of brewing coffee. Something about these smells soothe me beyond expression.
Best of all, Jesus’ mercy and forgiveness, and God’s gift of life.
Babies, kittens and puppies. Kids (baby goats) jumping and kicking. I’m a sucker for YouTube videos on baby goats. They always make me smile and often laugh.
Laughter. There’s a great one. Laughter’s a wonderful gift in a sad world.
James 1:17 reads, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (NIV)
When the world’s way too mean, look for nuthatches hopping up a tree, listen to your favorite song, brew a pot of coffee, gaze at a baby’s smile, or call someone who makes you laugh. God gives good and perfect gifts. Be a gift to someone today. Blessings!