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In the days when sailors depended upon wind to carry them to their destinations, it was not uncommon to hear that someone was “sailing by ash breeze.” The phrase referred to the fact that, when winds died out, sailors often progressed toward their destination by rowing. Oars, at the time, were often made of ash […]
Sometimes endings bring sadness, longing, even regret. Whether finishing an especially good book we wish were longer, winding up a vacation that we would like to prolong, or facing the greater challenge of saying good-bye to a loved one, we often feel downcast by the end of things. But our souls can take comfort in […]
Life may seem to flow on steadily, the same as it’s always been. But if we look back and review what life was like years ago, we see that there are dramatic differences. Like turning a giant ship, steering begins long before change is seen. It takes time. And only by small increments does society […]
Treating others with respect is an important and timeless virtue. Beginning with something as fundamental as the Golden Rule, respect is among the most essential values of life. It is known by many names: common courtesy, civility, esteem; but the simple definition taught to children is perhaps the most meaningful—treat others as you’d like to […]
Families have become increasingly far-flung in recent years. Once, children typically grew up in one home and then, upon reaching adulthood, moved not too far down the lane. Today’s families often end up scattered across counties, countries, and continents. The world likely will never return to what it once was. Even though the logistics of […]
How difficult it is to forgive those who have injured us. When we have been wounded, anger, silence, or bitter words can be the weapons that keep quarrels alive. But there is no peace in the nursing of a grudge. The French writer, Guy de Maupassant, told a story about a grudge that led to […]
Great nations are made of great people, willing to be inconvenienced and ready to defend the liberties they hold dear. The constitution, government, natural resources, or historic victories alone cannot ensure freedom or prosperity. Ultimately, a nation’s strength and promise are found in its people.
The port city of Barcelona, rimmed by the bright blues of Mediterranean sea and sky, offers her citizens and visitors alike a sumptuous visual feast. In particular, the stunningly unique architecture of this grand city—from the ancient Barcelona cathedral in the heart of the Gothic Quarter to the famous modernist church known as Sagrada Familia—continues to capture the eye and hold the heart of all who linger here.
What is the spirit of Geneva? What magic has made the name of this city on a lake a byword for peace? We speak of “the Geneva accords” and “the Geneva conventions”—the word itself has come to stand for a process of mediation and compromise, the reasonable resolution of unreasonable disputes. Robert de Traz describes the “spirit of Geneva” as “a practical, down-to-earth belief that peace does not come through major declarations . . . but rather through hard, unglamourous work . . . cooperation in a hundred different areas . . . expecting no miracles.”1
It’s impossible to visit London and not be mesmerized by the magic of this city. As poets and writers have flocked here to write stories that are loved worldwide, we have all come to know London’s streets and spires, her clock towers and cathedrals, her palaces and cottages—owning them, in a way, as we own favorite authors and books.
Because we have all felt sadness and sorrow from time to time, we can learn the ability empathize with others. Although our individual difficulties are unique, feelings of disappointment, loss, and suffering are universal. Yes, we may not have been in the same situation or have experienced the precise problem of another, but we have all felt the sharpness of pain, the heaviness of heartache.
The lily, a flower celebrated in both scripture and song, is known throughout the world for its exquisite grace and beauty.
Life teaches us some of its most important lessons by forcing us to learn to say goodbye. At almost every stage of mortality, the nature of life itself causes us to move ahead—sometimes without the people, the places, and the capacities we once enjoyed. Because such events are inevitable for all of us, we must develop the faith and the fortitude to be stretched and strengthened each time life asks us to say goodbye.
A woman vacationing with her children was convinced by them to visit a popular tourist attraction—a cave filled with many wonders of nature. She had experienced the trauma of claustrophobia in the past and was hesitant to go in with her children. Since they were in their teens and a guide was leading the tour through the cave, she knew they would be safe and decided it would be best if she waited outside. The children were disappointed. They wanted her to be with them to enjoy the beauty of the cave. They persisted with their encouragement until she consented to join them. After traveling several minutes inside the cave, she began to feel as if the walls were closing in on her. In near panic, she froze in her tracks and said to her children, “I can’t go on.” One of her sons replied: “Mom, look up. See the light coming through that hole? Just look up at that light and you’ll be okay.” As she looked up at the light, the panic left, and she was able to continue on with them.
The world, in all its wisdom, has yet to adequately describe the noblest position and responsibility in the world—that of being a mother. We tend to lack the ability to explain the significance of motherhood; but, when we think of our own mother, we easily recognize what she is to us. We realize that she is at the very core of our existence.
Life is rich with symbolism. If we look carefully, evidence of God’s love is all around us. The very passing of time—as night unfolds into dawn—reminds us that, even in our darkest hour, we can know that despair will not last forever and morning will surely come.
Very few attributes in life are as important as a sense of humor. A chuckle of amusement can become the healthiest and sanest response we can make to life’s calamities. Laughter can defuse a tense confrontation, produce a sense of humility and perspective, turn enemies into friends, build courage in the face of life’s sternest trials. We recall former American President Ronald Reagan cracking jokes with the surgeons who were about to remove an assassin’s bullet, or we recall the gallant courage of Shakespeare’s Mercutio, who responds to a death wound with puns and wit. Laughter in the face of great tribulation is perhaps the best indication we have of character.
Beauty has been called the handwriting of God.1 Something of the divine is in us when we recognize, appreciate, or create beauty. It lifts, enlivens, and gives meaning to life.
The great glad tidings of Easter proclaim, “He is risen!” Throughout the Christian world, bells ring joyously, and congregations sing the good word, “Christ the Lord is risen today!” Perhaps, amid the solemn festivities, we might pause to ask: “And what of us? Have we risen to a fullness of joy in the Easter message?”
On “the most memorable Sunday in history,”1 Mary Magdalene and other women set out at dawn for the Lord’s tomb. Upon arriving, they were consoled by an angel: “Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus.”2 And then, a little later, the Lord himself comforted, “Be not afraid.”3
Sometimes it takes a serious jolt in life to open our eyes and see the glory of an ordinary day. Such was the case of one woman who recently faced a life-threatening illness. Through major surgery, though disfiguring, her life has been prolonged. Those who call to give her comfort are surprised when they hear her say that she is so blessed—that each morning when she awakes, she is so happy and thankful to be alive. For this woman, every ordinary day is now an extraordinary day that she greets with hope and enthusiasm.
One of the most difficult dilemmas of life can occur when we sense that a loved one or friend needs help, but we’re not sure how to provide it. Perhaps we see a child crying. Something has upset her; but, when we ask what’s wrong, she quickly replies, “Nothing.” Maybe a friend has lost his job, and we want to show our support and sympathy. But it is often difficult to find the right words. Perhaps a neighbor has suffered a loss, and we want to provide what comfort we can. But we are also reluctant to intrude inappropriately.
There is something about looking upon the stars lighting the black night’s sky that gives rise to dreams and wants and wishes. Perhaps it is the infinite range of the heavens that suggest what we hope are our own limitless potentials. Maybe the unknown and unexplored make us wonder what lies ahead for us to discover. Or, possibly, we feel a connection with the divine that helps us seek to transcend life’s limitations.
We human beings are, for the most part, strong-willed creatures. We want to do things our way, make our own decisions, follow our own path. But, when we have lost our path, when we stumble and feel mired in confusion and despair, then we yearn for someone to lead us. We long for a kindly light to give us wise and sure direction.
Life’s true treasures are those we can share with others without ever reducing our own supply.
A critic of modern culture once asked, “Why do so many people pray to acquire good fortune, and so few pray to acquire good judgment?”1
One of the most frustrating, but important, aspects of life’s journey can be the search to find our place in this world. We all need to be needed. We want to serve, and we want to feel as though we’ve made a difference. We all know that we’ve been given talents, but too often we are at a loss as to how to use them.
Throughout the scriptures we are encouraged to praise God. The arts, for example, are filled with works which celebrate His goodness and His glory. In countless paintings, songs, poems, and sculptures we experience how artists pay tribute to the Creator and inspire in us feelings of reverence and gratitude.
Long ago, the prophet Samuel was taught: “. . . the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”1 This passage of scripture is familiar to many. But, like Samuel, we may find it difficult at times not to be distracted—or even misled—by appearances.
After World War II a statue of Christ that was damaged in the fighting was painstakingly restored—except for its hands, which could not be repaired. Instead of crafting new hands, the addition of this powerful phrase gave the statue new meaning: “Christ has no hands but ours.” While earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal, it is our opportunity to lift and bless the lives of others. Acting in harmony with the best we know, we can become the hands of heaven.