Who knows?

When times are good, be happy, but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future!...Ecclesiastes 7:14 Well, 2020, has brought us good as well as bad times, mostly bad. As we look back at this year we cannot help but feel sad, depressed, lonely and isolated. Why did so many have to die from COVID 19, and why did so many have to lose their businesses. Many young and old have commited suicide out of desperation, all around the world. The highest it has ever been. Why have we had such division in our country, and why has the election caused such mistrust among the voters? These may be questions we all ponder. We wish we had answers, but we don't (at least partially, we don't). Once I read a Chinese story. A man had lost one of his prized horses, and a friend expressed his sincere sorrow. However, the man was not worried or concerned. Who knows? It may be a good thing for me, he said. Surprisingly, the lost horse returned after a while with another horse. This time his friend came by and congratulated him. The man replied: who knows? It may be a bad thing for me. As it turned out, his son rode the new horse and he fell and broke his leg. This seemed like it was a bad thing, until the army came to the village to recruit all abled-bodies to fight in a war. Because of the son's injury, he was not recruited, which ultimately was a good thing, because it may have saved him from death. This is the legend behind the Chinese proverb which teaches us that sometimes a tragedy can be a blessing, and sometime, a blessing can turn into a tragedy. This ancient wisdom also expressed in the Old Testament of the Bible. In Eccleciastes 6:12, King David observes "Who knows what is good for a person in life?" Very true. none of us know the future and why things happen. An adversity, such as what we have experienced this year, might have some positive benefits. We have been able to make a vaccine in record time, which nobody thought was possible...From now on we can combat other health issues faster. If we did it once, we can do it again. On the other hand, a good thing may end up having a bad outcome. You get the idea. Galen, my husband, when things happen and I get frazzled, always says to me: calm down. Was this a good thing or a bad thing? Only time will tell. Indeed, only time does tell. Every day offers new opportunities, joys, struggles and suffering. All we can do is trust God through the good, the bad and the ugly. Like King David said 3000 years ago, God has made the one as well as the other. Things always work out at the end. We sold our home in California and moved to NW Arkansas permanently. The escrow took a lot longer than we had anticipated and we were getting frustrated and discouraged. However, when we finally departed for our 1600 mile road trip, we had the most beautiful weather all the way to our destination. This is December, I was very worried about getting stuck in bad weather. In the weeks prior to our trip, there had been bad weather, heavy rains and snow, on Interstate 40, where we drove. It would have been challenging driving under those conditions, and we could have been in an accident, as well. So, we learn to be thankful, for the curve balls, life throws at us. Ecclesiastes 6:12 "For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?" So true. As we bring in the New Year, may we be blessed and protected, and know that we will get through whatever comes our way! Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!!