I often wonder how my weekly TGIF messages will be received. Each week, I trust the messages that I believe God had put on my heart, but I still wonder (worry ?) how you all will react. When a message seems to elicit some of you to respond to me, I conclude the message was likely useful to most people. After last week’s message, I may have gotten more positive responses than ever before, so I took that as a sign the message was OK.
My thought shortly after sending out last week’s message was to go to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and read the editorial written by Peggy Noonan, as it appears each Friday morning. Peggy is a very accomplished writer and has been a long-time editorial writer for the WSJ.
I was very surprised, when I read her column that day, which was indeed about the upcoming election. Here is how it began.
I can’t shake a feeling of peace. As I said, we’ll get through it. No one knows what’s going to happen Tuesday or Wednesday, or what will follow a close election in the weeks and months to come. But yes, I believe our institutions will see us through, not because they are strong – they’re battered old things shot through with the ideology and self-seeking – but because they’re strong enough for the moment. Our courts, our laws, the free press, the academy, the military – all have taken hits the past decade, many self-inflicted. But they stand, and can do the job. Many unsung heroes see to this each day. There’s more health in our sick structures than we can see.
There was then a lot more discussion from Peggy about the individual candidates and their respective parties, but I will skip all that because I want my message to remain apolitical. However, I was wondering what influenced Peggy to that day have such a forward looking response to such a brutal and negative campaign. I found my answer at the end of her article.
We’ll know more soon. I close with the peace I can’t shake. This week, my own October surprise. A text message, a hospital, a baby due in November decides he wants in on the action now. The family grows, a grandson comes. I hold him for the first time and I hum to him chords and he looks at me with huge-pupiled infant eyes and the chords come from my chest and throat. They are of a song I haven’t thought of in years, “My Cup Runneth Over”.
A friend of decades calls. We started out together, were young together, and he’s just seen on his phone the picture of the baby. There are tears in his voice. “In all the chaos, all the noise, something splendid God has done”. Amen.
It’s what we all know is the real news, always: life happening.
Peggy began her editorial and also ended it with peace in her heart. Peggy is an accomplished political writer who was able to compartmentalize the election to see the bigger picture – life happening!
God is still in control, we need to continuously share our gratitude for all He continues to do for us even during grueling election cycles! Peggy got a new grandchild, and Cindy and I continue to watch our granddaughters grow up and our children and their spouses grow in their respective careers! Let us all focus on getting back to God and following His plans for us!!!!!
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.