Sometimes It's Good to Let Go

Sometimes It's Good to Let Go: Sunday Reflections

I look back on my life, and I have led a pretty good life. I have treated other people with kindness and given them the benefit of the doubt. I have made my mistakes, certainly, but I have done what I can to make things right and to seek forgiveness and be forgiving. I feel good about that.

There’s a lot of jealousy in this world, a lot of nit-picking and grudge-holding. Life is much too short for that. It seems like sometimes we must want someone else to pay for our hurts; and that is just so unnecessary, because Jesus has already done that. That’s a good thing to remember. Because Jesus paid for our mistakes already, we should be ready and willing, quickly and frequently, to not ask payment from anyone else, but to forgive those who we consider to be our debtors. We should stop keeping score and free each other.

We continually are meeting new people, making associations, and breaking connections, because we are moving, and learning and growing. Most of the time, the people I’ve been close to have stayed near and dear and close to my heart and I have to theirs as well. But time and distance do move us apart sometimes, both in life and in death. That’s okay. We know that our friendships and our family connections are intact, and when we see each other again, we’ll pick up right where we left off, and continue writing our story together.

But those other relationships, what about those? I mean the strained ones, those who are estranged from us. Sometimes, try as we might, things seem beyond repair. Even if we have love in our hearts, their philosophy may differ from ours. The best thing we can then do is take inventory of our own selves. Are we honest with ourselves and before the Lord? Have we done what is needful and necessary? Are we holding on to the good memories and keeping those alive, instead of festering our wounds? I have found it helpful to remember the good feelings associated with the memories of the good times had together in the past. If it is impossible for us to have a relationship currently, I can savor the past relationship in my memory and wait for the day when things may again be restored.

But I don’t have to force that. It’s a hard thing to accept our ability to be whole without the acceptance and approval of some people in our lives. But with the Lord, all things are possible. He is our help, our support, and our salvation. It is only through Him that we are ever made whole. So trusting in Him, in His timing, and in His loving care becomes the new focus of what is needful and necessary. You can’t make someone think highly of you, nor should you have to. And you don’t have to prove anyone wrong in order to feel right. That kind of right is pride. Being right with the Lord is a quiet humility, and something that I am going to diligently seek after.

These are my thoughts at the end of this Sabbath day. They have been helpful to me. I hope that they will be useful to someone else.

Have a good week. Have a good life!

My Thoughts About Ben Carson

Dr.  Ben Carson answers a few questions at the close of each day. I don't remember any other presidential candidate in my lifetime ever doing that. It seems like here is a man who is dedicated to serving the people. 

https://www.facebook.com/realbencarson


I have read a couple of Dr. Carson's books, and in so doing am convinced that he is a good and talented man, and a faithful Christian disciple. Beyond that, I am impressed with what he's said so far in his candidacy and with his poise and demeanor is speaking with the press.

Things I like about Dr. Ben Carson:

Dr. Carson values life. He is Pro-Life, and he is not afraid to say so.

Dr. Carson stands with Israel. He isn't interested in making deals that would weaken our nation or jeopardize our friends.

Dr. Carson believes in accountability. He doesn't think that government should keep taxing and spending without a clear plan to improve the financial situation of our country. He also believes in fairness; that the workers shouldn't be penalized for working or for providing jobs to others.

Dr. Carson understands the need for good doctor and patient relationships. He also understands why Obamacare is not good for health care and not desirable for our country.

Dr. Carson believes in the history and destiny of our country. He upholds the same Judeo-Christian values upon which the Founding Fathers established this country, and he doesn't feel the need to apologize for virtue.

Dr. Carson knows how to work under pressure without fumbling. He has literally held the balance of life in his hands when fatigued and at his mortal limits, but has been able to rely on inner strength and faith in the Lord to help perform miracles.

Dr. Carson is a virtuous man, and because he lives a clean life, he doesn't buckle under fire. He isn't concerned with the sludge of the political arena, because he isn't part of it.

Dr. Carson values education, and he values womanhood and motherhood. His own mother was the driving force behind his success in school and subsequently as a world-renowned brain surgeon. He knows that hard work opens possibilities that otherwise would be missed. He also knows that God has a plan for each of us, and God honors those who have faith in Him and keep His commandments with blessings that they seek.

Dr. Carson is a friend to truth. He is educated and yet teachable. He is powerful and yet humble. He is a friend to the down-trodden, not by just giving handouts, but by reaching to offer a hand to help others up.

Our Country needs someone who is friendly to America, her mission and her purpose. I believe that Dr. Carson could be that man. I think it is time for us to stop playing politics like a poker game and start voting for those whom we think are wholesome, who are good problem solvers, who will be good leaders, and who will provide both morale and moral direction for our country.

Dr. Carson cares about our future and our children. I think that if we care about those same things, we should vote for someone whose passion it is to serve those purposes.