Another Brick in the Wall?

"We don't see things the way they are. We see them the way we are."

~Talmud

Greetings!

   I ran into a long time friend the other day. I heard that her ex-husband had recently been killed in a tragic accident and I expressed my sympathy.

   I don't know Sally (not her real name) well but she and I always exchanged pleasant conversation whenever we met discussing recent books we had read or local events. I knew that she had been divorced for over twenty years and had never remarried but that was about all I knew.

Sally is an attractive educated woman in her 50's and I had wondered about her single status, but it was none of my business. At least that's what Caroline says.

When I mentioned her ex, I saw Sally's eyes fill. "I would never wish that on anyone, but he hurt me in ways you can't imagine." As she raised her eyes to the ceiling she said, "he caused me to build a very high wall around my life." As she poured out her story to me my mind was racing with thoughts of choosing, influence and compassion.

          At first I was a little uncomfortable with our new rolls but then I felt honored that she was comfortable enough to share these feelings with me. I listened intently until she was quiet.

   "Sally, you are an intelligent woman and I know you know this but maybe you need to hear it again. The problem with building walls is, they don't just keep other people out. They block our view of the wonderful life God has for us. If we let them stand long enough our view gets so distorted we can't trust our own eyes anymore."

My encounter with Sally really started me thinking about attitudes we choose. We don't usually think we are doing the choosing but we are. Often we think of ourselves as victims or "in the wrong place at the wrong time".

   We can't choose what other people do to us or things that happen to us, but we can choose how we respond to those people and events. I'm sorry if this sounds like a broken record but I'm going to keep talking about it till I get it right. :-)

I love you guys,

Don

Road to happiness Movie

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

You've seen my post asking for prayer for Phoebe for several months now. Phoebe is Zig's Great-granddaughter. She is my friend, Julie Ziglar Norman's Granddaughter.
Julie told me Phoebe is doing better but she still needs our prayers. You can read Phoebe's story here.

Phoebe Fair