A few years ago in mid-October, Mike and I were driving home from the Landmark Center near downtown Indianapolis, where Mike performed the wedding of a friend of Anna's from high school and college. Although we only knew the bride, we had a great time visiting with family members and guests at our table.
We were thankful to end the day with a happy occasion because we spent the morning visiting two separate families prior to funeral services for a beloved grandfather and young son. Less than a week ago, we attended another funeral for a colleague of Mike's who died swiftly from a rapidly spreading form of cancer.
Mike and I discussed the events of the past eight days, mentioning the question that appears repeatedly when unfortunate circumstances come into the lives of people - "Why do bad things happen to good people?"
Mike said, "Why don't we ask - 'Why am I blessed? Why do good things happen?' We have no better answer to when good things happen than we do when bad things happen."
His comment brought a shift in my perspective. When unfortunate and unexplained things come our way, we struggle and ask, "Why?" When we travel safely to work or to the store, when we share fun times with family and friends, when we have a healthy annual physical, when we read a book with an interesting plot that helps us relax, when we take a walk, when we have a day where everything goes smoothly, do we ask, "Why did good things happen today?"
Do we thank God for our good life or do we take for granted uneventful moments and roll them into the folds of our heart with nonchalance?
How do you respond when good things happen?
Prayer: God, our days can be a mixture of challenge and peace. Help us give thanks at all times knowing you are with us to celebrate and care. Amen.
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