Friday, January 9, 2015

ImPerfect

 It is below zero outside, it's warm and cozy inside.  What better way to spend such a day?

The temptation this week has been to cover my head and shut the world out.  I feel I am about to give up on it; it's not worth the effort involved in staying in touch with it.

Making an exception, of course, in your case.  I shall always try to find time for you.

Are things really as bad as I made it seem?  Yes, probably.  Maybe worse.  The glass half-full analogy does not apply, for the glass has been tilted mouth-downward, and the last drop is barely clinging to the rim.

Now let me be clear.  There is nothing wrong with the relationship with my Maker, the marital bonds are as strong as ever, and no one is actively mistreating me.

It is the condition of this old world in which we live.  Clearly there is not much, probably nothing in fact, that I can do for it.

Do you suppose I could achieve some peace of mind were I to cancel the subscriptions to the newspapers, cancel my subscription to cable, and shred my library card?





11 comments:

Jim Grey said...

It is painful to watch such awful events unfold in the world as have happened this week. Man's bottomless desire to harm other men is so discouraging. It is easy to forget that God has already had the victory.

vanilla said...

Jim, what a great word. The reminder I need. It is not that God will win, it is that He has already won!

I'll try to get back in character. The only good thing about being "down" is that there is so much to gain.

Secondary Roads said...

I've been in a similar place lately. About a year ago, I stopped watching or listening to broadcast news on a regular basis. It was a good move.

Vee said...

Wondering here if doing the ostrich thing would work. I know someone who does not read or listen to the news because she wants to eliminate bad things from her life. But stuff still happens whether or not she knows about it.

My discouragement comes from feeling that I no longer make a contribution for the good. At one time I found satisfaction in training teachers and knowing they had the skills to teach well; in caring for and shaping the lives of my children; and in participation in multiple church and school activities. Compare that now to a weekly visit to a care center to see a friend who can no longer stand and barely speaks. Yesterday, when we were ready to leave, he whispered, "Will you come again next week?" Maybe I need to stay out of the dark pit and, instead, be satisfied with making a tiny difference during my old life.

vanilla said...

Dhuck, on that issue, I think I'll follow your lead.

Vee, visiting the sick and afflicted is a ministry worth the effort, and no less important than some of those flashier missions we deem having passed us over. Keep the faith!

Lin said...

I haven't watched the "news" in years. Instead, I like the small blips I am fed here and there and I can click for more details if I am so inclined. A person can only take so much news, you know?

Hang in there. This weather has a tendency to wear our spirits down. Emma and I have a puzzle going in the family room. :)

vanilla said...

Chuck, quack. Back here an hour later, notice I misspelled your name. Sorry about that, too.

vanilla said...

Lin, the weather does erode my spirits. Knowing I'm not the only one gives me a sense of community, anyway. ;-)

Sharkbytes said...

Newspaper and cable. Keep the library card. What's the Godfather line? Leave the gun take the cannoli

vanilla said...

Sharkey, thanks for the counsel. I believe I shall keep the library card!

Secondary Roads said...

No problem with the misspell. You were understood. In other words, communication success.