Friday Freelance: Find Good

I'll always call the cup half full. It's a running joke at my house—an ongoing dare to find good in this situation.

Good isn't always visible. But I walk by faith, and faith is the "evidence of things unseen."

Consider this story.

Sisters Corrie and Betsie ten Boom were imprisoned in 1944 at Ravensbruck concentration camp for protecting Jews. Betsie thanked God for the fleas there, out of faith in Paul's admonition "Give thanks in all circumstances." Corrie complained, "Betsie, there's no way even God can make me grateful for a flea." Betsie answered, "Fleas are part of this place where God has put us." Then God in His goodness revealed that freedom to share His Word from a contraband Bible existed because guards feared the fleas in the barracks.

And so my children often hear, "If Betsie thanked God for fleas, I can thank God for ..."

I thank God for the election results.

I don't yet see good in them. Our nation has affirmed an unworthy agenda to increase dependence on government. Socialism devastated the Soviet Union and it will fail as miserably here. A nation which contends against a strong military or "legislating morality" invites anarchy. A people which names government provider, protector and principal potentate cannot then demand God step into those roles.

John Adams said, "We have no government armed in power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."

Examples of impotent government abound. It cannot save from economic collapse, hurricane, terrorism, violence, disease, death, or fear. God saves from all of them. If we must be brought to our knees by utter failure in order to understand this, then failure is good.

That much I can see.

Note: Within an hour of my writing this, my husband phoned from work with news that he received a transfer with a substantial pay cut. I take a deep breath and say, "You are good, God. Thank You for this transfer and the good in it."

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy