Today a particular homeless man I know who I'll call "Han" arrived here at the Catholic Worker House with his bicycle. I asked him how his day was going. He responded that he had a flat tire.
I replied, "Oh, man. Bummer."
Han noted, "Well, this isn't that bad. If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, this is a pretty good day."
Han makes a good point. When mishaps seem to occur to us, do we keep them in perspective?
When we suffer setbacks, do we keep in mind that anything other than sin can sanctify us, if we but respond to it in the right way? Do we remember that anything that is not sinful can bring us closer to God if we merely react in the correct manner? Do we recall that God works all for the good of those who love Him?*
As apparent misfortune seems to befall us, do we remain grateful to God, conscious of the abundant blessings in our lives? Once we realize how good we've got it, it becomes much easier to give thanks to God always.**
* Romans 8:28
** 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I replied, "Oh, man. Bummer."
Han noted, "Well, this isn't that bad. If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, this is a pretty good day."
Han makes a good point. When mishaps seem to occur to us, do we keep them in perspective?
When we suffer setbacks, do we keep in mind that anything other than sin can sanctify us, if we but respond to it in the right way? Do we remember that anything that is not sinful can bring us closer to God if we merely react in the correct manner? Do we recall that God works all for the good of those who love Him?*
As apparent misfortune seems to befall us, do we remain grateful to God, conscious of the abundant blessings in our lives? Once we realize how good we've got it, it becomes much easier to give thanks to God always.**
* Romans 8:28
** 1 Thessalonians 5:18
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