SUSAN SAYS: This too will pass; it's time for a new day

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

As we close out this year, we are saddened by the tragic shootings in Newtown, Conn. Those who lost loved ones will never forget; but, hopefully, time will help heal the ache of their loss.

I am reminded of the story I once read of an elderly gentleman in the church who had little formal education but spent a lot of time with his Bible and was always finding things in the Scriptures that others missed. At one service the pastor asked those in the congregation for their favorite verses from the Bible. When it was this man’s turn, he stated his favorite verse was, “And it came to pass...” Everyone was puzzled, so the pastor asked him to explain hisselection. He responded, “When trouble comes and I do not know what to do, I take heart that the Bible never says, ‘And it came to stay’ but says in many places ‘And it came to pass.’”

Things are in turmoil in this old world. Many are in financial difficulty, others are in poor health, many are suffering broken relationships with friends and family. The lives of American servicemen and those from other lands are in danger all over the world. But we can be thankful that this too shall pass. We can wait out the conflict by living life one day at a time. One inspirational speaker suggests that when you wake up, get up and when you get up, do something.

One of the first things you should do after waking is to count your blessings. We are given 24 hours, a most precious possession. No

one is given more or less than another person. We should feel obligated to use it creatively, to make every day count. Say TGIT - Thank God it’s today!

Ralph Waldo Emerson had some great words on each day. “Finish each day and be done with it,” he said. “You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and with too high a spirit to be cumbered by your old nonsense. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear, with its hope and invitations, to waste a moment on yesterdays.”

Yes, it will soon be a new year, filled with work, worry, commitments, confusion, unknowns, frustrations, but dreams,possibilities, blessings, challenges and opportunities. We are resistant to others who are always trying to change us, but what’s wrong with changing ourselves by trying to do better? Look upward, have confidence, develop a desire to accomplish and you will find a purpose in life. You will be too busy to worry about your children in today’s violence-ridden schools or family members stationed overseas. Place them in God’s hands and they will be cared for.

I’ve enjoyed receiving letters from family members and friends in recent days. Cousins at Highfill and in Texas are enjoying getting acquainted with new grandchildren. Jim’s sister in Missouri has a new great-grandson. Distant cousins in Arizona welcomed a grandson’s new bride in a June wedding. A former high school classmate is looking forward to reduced working hours after 20 years on the same job. But there’s the down side too. Another cousin in Texas lost her husband recently. The daughter of a friend in Florida still struggles with health problems and has been on oxygen over two years. We must just take life as it comes, place ourselves in God’s hands and trust in His guidance.

Our library commission members, library volunteers and staff enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Senior Center on Dec. 11 honoring all those who give of their time and talents to make Gravette Public Library such an asset to our community. Then, last Thursday, I joined friends from Sulphur Springs and fellow members of the Jolly Good Times Club for another scrumptious holiday meal at the Senior Center. We are so fortunate to have this center to serve area citizens with nutritious hot meals and opportunities for socialization.

In closing, I’d like to share the closing paragraph from my Arizona cousin’s letter. It seems to offer an appropriate focus for us all: “We close out this year with hearts full of thanksgiving to our Lord Jesus Christ ... thankful for relatively good health, considering that we’re not getting any younger ... thankful for the love of our family - and that all our kids and grandkids live nearby ... thankful that life is neither boring nor uneventful, but a little of those in 2013 might be welcome! ... thankful that our God keeps His promises ... always ... Blessings to you all.”

Susan Holland, an employee of the Westside Eagle Observer, is a lifelong Benton County resident. She can be reached at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 6 on 12/26/2012