A headline snapshot from around the world this week…
“U.S. Military Leaders: Strikes in Syria Are Just the Start of a Prolonged Campaign”
“Ebola Epidemic Could Top a Million Victims If Not Contained, CDC Warns”
“Lois Lerner Breaks Silence: I’m ‘Not Sorry for Anything I Did’”
“A Majority of Americans Say Obama’s Presidency Is a ‘Failure’”
“Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti Defends Team, Denies Withholding Information about Ray Rice Incident”
Each of the above gives me reason to pause…
War. Disease. Corruption. Leadership troubles. Domestic violence.
Each makes me stop in my tracks, soberly pondering the reality of what actually happened to substantiate such a headline. Most days, the Intramuralist does just that… ponders the headlines… reads deeper… makes inferences… asks questions. Except for days like today…
… when…
I went to a friend’s funeral…
I witnessed a son’s heartache…
I watched the advancement of an illness in another…
Each puts life into perspective.
Truly the little things matter very little… Being upset about an irritant or annoyance means little in the long run. Worried about a missed assignment or missed opportunity is disappointing but little more. And crying over spilled milk or spilled anything only adds liquid to the plate.
Are we paying attention to what’s truly most important?
Sometimes. Sometimes not.
It hurt my heart to see a young mom die. So soon. So early. But I have confident hope in a life that’s amazingly better. She knew that hope. She will suffer no more.
It hurt my heart to see my son in so much pain. He was wronged. Part of his response was wise — part of it not. I look forward to how regardless, he will grow.
And in regard to my friend who is sick now… that hurts my heart, too. But wow… her attitude of gratitude is amazing… it spurs me on… my turn to grow.
All keep me away from dwelling too much on dreary headlines… (Thank God).
Respectfully…
AR