Jerusha's Advice
"You know, Daddy, it isn't the big troubles in life that require character. Anyone can rise to a crisis and face a crushing tragedy with courage. To meet the petty hazards of the day with a laugh, that requires character."
The line comes from the musical "Daddy Long Legs", now playing at the Gem Theatre in Detroit. I highly recommend it. It's a delightful musical based on the children's book about Jerusha Abbott, an orphan girl who turns into a powerful young woman through the help of an anonymous donor.
I reckon you could question Jerusha's first assumption. The "big troubles" are hard to handle and they do require character and not everyone can summon the courage to face a crushing blow. But I think she has a point. Most of us do rise to the occasion when life demands it. I've seen it in families who were able to rally together and find the strength to deal with unexpected emergencies and immeasurable losses. I've seen it in the response to national disaster and personal tragedy. And sometimes it really is the seemingly little things that undermine our courage and drain our joy. To "meet the petty hazards of the day with a laugh" and to do it again tomorrow and the next day really does require character. And I've seen that too. I've seen pastors in seemingly unrewarding ministries and unrecognized places who deal with daily disappointments and setbacks with joy and hope. I've seen tired nurses who show up every day when you think they would just want to give up. I've seen it in school teachers who, especially today, are underpaid and seldom praised, yet they throw themselves into their teaching day after day because of their commitment to their students. I've seen it in school board members and public officials who are demonized and criticized, but still continue to try to do their best for the sake of the community. I've seen it in folks who carry on day after day in seemingly boring and unfulfilling tasks because it is their job and they do it with pride.
"To meet the petty hazards of the day with a laugh..." I'd like to learn to do that more often. The Psalmist says "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning." Morning after morning, to discover the joy even in the face of daily hazards.
Next Sunday we begin our fall stewardship campaign around the theme of "Bless This House". I hope you will be in worship to share in giving thanks for "this house", this family, this community of faith and to ask God's blessing on what we attempt to do in his name. Together we are stronger, and we really can find the courage to face the daily hazards with a laugh.
See you in worship.
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