Challenges of Past & Uncertainty of Tomorrow Fuel Actions of Today

I recently became aware of a very courageous young man, Lt. Col. Gregory Gadson. In May 2007, he lost both legs when his vehicle passed a roadside bomb in Baghdad. As he dealt with his injuries, he thought his future looked bleak, but he decided not to give up. His grit and determination landed him in the public eye - with positive results.

Assistant coach Mike Sullivan of the New York Giants invited Lt. Col. Gadson to a game. From his wheelchair, Lt. Col. Gadson delivered a pregame speech to the team. Although the Giants had lost their first two outings that year, they went on to win that game - and the 2008 Superbowl.

Lt. Col. Gadson played the part of a double amputee in the movie Battleship.  Not only did he take the challenge, but to the amazement of everyone around him, performed his own stunts.

Lt. Col. Gadson considers his primary role to be that of Director of the Army's Wounded Warrior program, saying, "As a service member, there are a lot of people who have endured what I have, but their paths won't be highlighted. I want to speak up for them. I know we're not promised tomorrow. But there is a road ahead."

Lt. Col. Gadson reminded me of Franklin D. Roosevelt who served as President of the United States from a wheelchair. The limited use of his body did not slow him down nor did it affect his leadership abilities. Certainly mobility adds to enjoyment of life, but it is not life itself. That has been proven daily by many who have limited use or no use of their bodies.

Lt. Col. Gadson is just one of many brave men and women who have fought in our wars and lost their limbs. Others, like him, have demonstrated that their courage was not just in the field of war, but also in the choices they made to continue to live life to the fullest and to contribute to society.

It doesn't take physical mobility to be able to move on in life. It takes determination and a realization that each day is important. Accepting what has happened in the past and  knowing that there may be no tomorrow puts a proper perspective on the present.  Like Lt. Col. Gadson, it is good to know that we are all traveling on a path of influence.

Other challenges of the past may include cruelty or abuse, a debilitating illness, a tragedy or any other circumstance that severely limits options. Perhaps our own bad choices caused pain and devastation to others as well as ourselves. Sometimes those memories overshadow everything else, even when circumstances have changed for the better.

How we deal with issues - pleasant or unpleasant - is a choice. We can actually get stuck on a point in our own time line - something in the past that stops us from moving on. When that happens, productivity in the present and subsequently in the future will be substantially curtailed. As has been proven by Lt. Col. Gadson and others, however, that does not need to be the case.

My husband says, "We are not promised tomorrow. We are promised eternity." He is so right. God makes it clear that at any moment we could be called upon to face Him. Tomorrow is uncertain. Eternity is promised to those who trust in Jesus. 

...you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away...(James 4:14). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish (John 10:27-28).

Politics as Usual

During election years in the United States (or other democratic societies), there are things to be thankful for and others to be grieved about. Living in a country where you are able to choose your leaders is a great privilege. It does give people a voice.

However, the process can be exceedingly painful. What candidates do to each other leading up to the election is sometimes nothing short of character assassination. It appears that nothing is sacred. Often a candidate's campaign staff hunts for something juicy on the opposing candidate and offers the morsel up to the media. It is patently obvious that such a search has taken place when supposed indiscretions reach all the way back to childhood or high school.

The candidate cannot get away from his history, but he also has to be extremely careful about every word he says. So many comments have been taken out of context that "damage control" is a common term used after a candidate has made a speech.

Many times a candidate's approval rating has nothing to do with him, but everything to do with the political party he is associated with. The political party itself has a reputation. In the United States, the Republicans are known as conservatives and the Democrats are known as liberals. Mike Huckabee recently said, "when a Republican changes his mind, he's a flip flopper; when a Democrat does it, he's evolving, and showing courage."

Johnny Carson was the host for the Tonight show for thirty years. Many politicians came and went during his tenure. Johnny Carson did not want to be identified with a political party. He must have been fairly successful at that attempt. A television special on his life indicated that no one could really tell whether Johnny was a Democrat or a Republican because he poked fun at both of the parties and its members equally. Johnny Carson said, "unlike communism, democracy does not mean just having one ineffective political party; it means having two ineffective political parties."

It all comes down to a matter of trust. Seldom can we imagine that a politician is really doing something just because it is the right thing to do. The nature of politics is that people question the motive of the politician. Many times the words they say and the actions they take are so that they can get elected or reelected - politics as usual.

God, on the other hand, is totally trustworthy. He is in control. He says what He means, means what He says and does what He says He will do. Examine His background and His reputation stands true. Love is His motivation behind all His actions.

In fact, even though when I vote, I often am just choosing the lessor of two evils, I don't really have to worry about the damage that politicians do to each other and ultimately to their constituents. The best choice we can make is to elect to trust God, serve Him and pray for those He allows to be in authority for a short time. Ultimately, God is in charge and He will make all things right.

I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity (1 Timothy 2:1-2 NAS).

Therapeutic Writing

I enjoy writing. My self-imposed schedule of once a week articles, once a month devotionals, frequently updated Bible studies and always working on a book keeps my mind occupied. If and when adverse circumstances come along, I have discovered that because I have a writing schedule, I can keep thinking positively instead. Not all stress is bad. The tension that comes from having to write something at least once a week is a good thing. 

As a result of this writing schedule, I view things a little differently than before. Even something trivial - a stepping stone, sunrise, walking through the woods or poison ivy (not so trivial when you have a reaction to it!) or something more substantive like working with my husband on a project or becoming interested in Chinese New Year because I now have a granddaughter adopted from China - all these are potential subjects for articles.

I created a blog in order to interact with others, but the benefits I have received from being faithful in writing it have far exceeded even the potential of what it might do for anyone else. My blog is titled One Focus. It has done just that. It has kept my mind focused on what is really important.

The fact that I am constantly thinking about something to write has saved me from other distracting thoughts. Each of us experiences self-talk - talking to ourselves in our minds. What dominates our thoughts eventually comes out in our actions. Choosing to think constructive thoughts will prevent the negative thoughts from crowding in.  Or so it has for me.

The beauty of writing a blog is that you can do it from practically anywhere. I travel a great deal, but my laptop is always with me. If I have an idea, I can start on a post even when the internet is not available. In fact, I seldom sit down and post in one sitting. I need to mull it over to make sure I am communicating what I really want to say.

I have come rather late to writing, blogging and maintaining a website. There is always something new to learn about putting your thoughts “out there on the web.” It is a wonderful medium, however, when used to help others.

Whether you share your thoughts with others or keep them to yourself, your thoughts define who you are. You are not the only one engaged in the conversation that goes on in your mind - God is as well.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect...Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things... for the righteous God tries the hearts and minds (Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8, Psalm 7:9 NAS).

Background Software

Like practically everyone else, my life seems to be contained in my computer. I use it for work, for reading, for socializing, for writing, for shopping - you name it. I have stopped using my heavy dictionaries or encyclopedias. If I need to know something, I can search for it online.

I write a lot of Bible studies and often have a scripture in mind that I want to refer to. The problem is I can't remember exactly where the scripture is located in the Bible - the chapter and verse. I used to use my concordance exclusively for this purpose. Now I often "goggle" the verse.

Tied very closely to my use of information on the internet are the software programs on my laptop. Some programs I have chosen to install. Many of them are just necessary for the operation of my computer. What I am able to accomplish by using my computer are tied to software programs that run in the background. Being technologically challenged, these run in ways that are mysterious to me.

Even when I am unable to log on to the internet, my software programs enable me to keep working. Since I carry my laptop with me practically everywhere, I often even record reminder notes on my computer rather than using pad and pencil. The time saving possibilities are endless.

Since using my computer has become such a normal part of my life, I often forget the background software is there. I just take advantage of it and its functionality.

God created our brains to hold all the data we could possibly use. We load them with all kinds of information - some good, some bad. That "background software" can be useful or harmful, depending on how it is accessed.

Unlike computer software, data stored in our minds cannot be uninstalled. It can surface at any time. Satan can use the information for evil. God can remind us of something for usefulness. It is even possible to forget that we input something that will later be harmful or useful, so good judgment is called for when acquiring any new information.

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You... Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning... Wise people store up knowledge...For as he thinks in his heart, so is he...  (Psalm 119:11, Proverbs 9:9, 10:14, 23:7).