When you start to whine about your life....

Yesterday was one of those days that reminds me that my life is pretty good no matter how it may seem from time to time.  A 7th grader at Ionia Middle School had to call 911 at 4:30 AM because of an argument between her parents.  When the cops arrived they discovered that her father had shot her mother, her brother, and then killed himself.  It is certainly beyond my imagination how difficult this little girl's life is right now (as of now, both her brother and mother are in serious condition at the hospital).  I was called to the MS on friday morning to cover the classes of one of her teachers.  When you find out that you're working today because three people were shot, it puts things in perspective.
We all tend to be a little myopic about our lives, don't we?  We all have problems, many of them serious, and it really takes a jolt to get us to see beyond ourselves.  None of us are promised a tomorrow, today could be your last day.  Is it worth is to spend this day complaining?  As the Apostle James wrote, "Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."  Take a realistic look at your life.  Thank God for you many blessings (and tell him of your cares and worries in prayer), and never forget that life is a precious gift, one only our Creator can give.

Thoughts on "The Lovely Bones"

As an alternative education teacher, I'm always on the look-out for books that are high quality that my students will actually read.  Over the years I've had some success (notably with Stephen King's "Eyes of the Dragon") and some flops ("Jurassic Park" and "Runaway Jury" haven't gone over as well as I hoped).  I recently had to pick a new book on short notice (to cover classes for another teacher for a quarter; Get well Angi!).  At Barnes and Noble, I stumbled across "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold.  I'd heard about the movie (Directed by Peter Jackson!!), so I sat down and read a bit to see if I could decide if it would work...
In the end, I'm teaching the book right now (going great, they're into it) and I'd like to just share a few thoughts about it for those of you who may read it or see the movie (Yikes!  Always read the book when you have a choice)

The premise of the book is that the death of Susie (revealed on the 1st page, I'm not spoiling it) is the hole in the lives of her family around which their futures are knit together.  They go through some really rough times, deal with raw emotions; make mistakes; and basically do what people do when life beats them down.  Ultimately, they do find peace; but I can't help but wonder how the story may have been different had there been a religious element to it.  Surely, one of the greatest benefits to being a Christian is the HOPE that we have in Christ.  The ability to look past today's sorrows and know that the future is still in God's hands.  I'm not saying that Christian parents wouldn't have a problem with losing a child (obviously they would), but that Christians have someone to turn to when it seems like we've been abandoned in life.  "I will never leave you nor forsake you"; the words of the Savior have special power for those who cling to them through the storm.

The book also contains a variety of other ways that characters try to cope with their loss (from drugs to sex to rage); all of which ultimately doesn't work {a postive message if you choose to see it}, and it certainly contains an interesting view of what Heaven is {good for conversation starting with teens esp.}.  If it sounds like I'd recommend this book to Christian readers, I would.  It does contain some material that isn't suitable for younger kids (the murder of Susie being #1 on that list, rather graphic, and some sex too later on), but it definately contains material that will generate questions, thoughts, comments; etc.  Our world is in desperate need of answers to the big questions about the meaning and purpose of this life and what happens when it's over.  This book certainly will show the frailty of trying to cope with life alone, the kind of thing that a parent, mentor, or friend could use to help show the healing hand of Christ to someone in need.