Tell Me Something Good

. OK, I'll start. Something good came from watching the news this week. Some Middle School and High School students from a town in Ohio lined up in front of a mic in the school hallway. They were asked to say something good that happened to them that day. Their answers reminded me of the good in life that simply shows up sometimes.Think small.

Like what? Well, one teenager smiled and said, "I got my braces off." "Another announced, "I got 100% on my German test." One young teen grinned and said, "She said yes today to being my girlfriend." Another pumped her first and said, "I made the basketball team." Then one added, " I met a girl today who was new to our school. I think we're going to be friends." Simply profound.

Well, that did me good. So much hope and joy in the happenings of one ordinary school day. And I thought," I need to take more enjoyment from what is simply good in and around me, than feed fear or hate from what is unsettling, unnecessary, unjust or unkind. It's easy to focus on the worst in ourselves and others.

However, it's not helpful to me or anyone to ignore what is wrong, unjust or painful. God's not stumped by real stuff. Out there or in us. Which brings to mind something that happened a long time ago. I shared it last night in our book group at Christ Church. I'd called my mom to check on her. But the deeper reason was I needed to pour out my heart about something that troubled me. While Mama meant well and had many gifts, one of them was not that of a therapist. She was practical and with a mindset more like ignore it or, "Get over it!"

Well, while I blew my nose and gathered my tale of woe, Mama did her thing. She tried to cup her hand over the phone but I heard her yell for my brother, "Ralph, come quick and say something funny to your sister. She's having a hard time!" It's ok to laugh. We did. Later.

So, lets just say it was hard to dig deep into negative feelings in my family. It was more like the Sunday School song, "Cheer up, ye saints of God. There's nothing to worry about. Nothing to make you feel afraid. Nothing to make you doubt. Remember Jesus loves you, so why not be happy and SHOUT! You'll be sorry you worried at all tomorrow morning."

But we all know better. Faith doesn't need to put on a happy face. Faith faces the facts and still trusts God. Then faith rolls up its sleeves. Or waits and trusts in God to do what's impossible for us to do. But it's also good to remember the words of the song that say, "Remember, Jesus loves you..." (And those I find hard to love or like. ) The reminder of God's love and faithfulness feeds hope and presses truth and goodness into a tough day, which we all have.

And it helps to have a sister, like Chris, who sends me tips like these, " Managing your weight around the holidays just requires a little planning...For example, I took the batteries out my scale on Wednesday."

'So, what's good that's happening in your day?