When I was young, I somehow got the impression that my parents had a easy time of things. I have good parents and, as good parents, they did not share their problems or challenges with me. I was a child.
Somehow, as a result of this, I grew up with the impression that there would, someday, be a time where I did not have things to worry about or take care of or balance out. I never knew what they were doing, so I never knew it was being done. They just lived their lives.
Now, I am an old man with grown children and, you know what, no such life ever developed for me. It also did not develop for anyone I know. Everyone has things to worry about. Everyone has memories that are painful and hopes that were dashed and dreams they will never realize. Everyone with children worries about their children. Everyone with parents worries about their parents.
We are all paying bills. We are all making plans and responding to events and coping with emergencies.
There is almost never a day without its own challenges. As we have been told, sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34. Yet, I never knew this when I was young.
I appreciate my parents more every year that passes.
And, also, I am much more patient with people. Everyone you meet on every single day of your life has troubles. Everyone has concerns. Everyone has something, a wild child, a painful back, a bad job, a mean neighbor, something causes him or her difficulty in their lives. If they are short with me, well, maybe they have a good reason for being that way. I cannot know, as C.S. Lewis taught long ago. So, my duty is to love my neighbor, not to be angry at him for how he acts toward me.
Westey (not John, but the Princess Bride Westley) had it right: Life is pain, Highness! Anyone who says differently is selling something." And everyone you know is living a life. With pain.
So, let's be a little more patient out there.
Somehow, as a result of this, I grew up with the impression that there would, someday, be a time where I did not have things to worry about or take care of or balance out. I never knew what they were doing, so I never knew it was being done. They just lived their lives.
Now, I am an old man with grown children and, you know what, no such life ever developed for me. It also did not develop for anyone I know. Everyone has things to worry about. Everyone has memories that are painful and hopes that were dashed and dreams they will never realize. Everyone with children worries about their children. Everyone with parents worries about their parents.
We are all paying bills. We are all making plans and responding to events and coping with emergencies.
There is almost never a day without its own challenges. As we have been told, sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34. Yet, I never knew this when I was young.
I appreciate my parents more every year that passes.
And, also, I am much more patient with people. Everyone you meet on every single day of your life has troubles. Everyone has concerns. Everyone has something, a wild child, a painful back, a bad job, a mean neighbor, something causes him or her difficulty in their lives. If they are short with me, well, maybe they have a good reason for being that way. I cannot know, as C.S. Lewis taught long ago. So, my duty is to love my neighbor, not to be angry at him for how he acts toward me.
Westey (not John, but the Princess Bride Westley) had it right: Life is pain, Highness! Anyone who says differently is selling something." And everyone you know is living a life. With pain.
So, let's be a little more patient out there.