It is better for hard words to be on paper than carry them in your heart

"I simply can't build my hopes on a foundation of confusion, misery and death... I think... peace and tranquility will return again." Anne Frank

Life is full of surprises. Some are jubilant and warm your soul; others are bitter and bring you down. It is dubious that we always have a say in the way life turns out, yet it would be ingenuous to think that God always wants to be in control. Setting apocryphal sentiments aside, I am not sure which idea to accept. To me, they exuberate similar levels of appeal for we live in uncertain times. The memory of the 9-11 attacks are just an apropos reminder of how spoiled this nation has lived - protected, unsuspected of the real world. We choose to live in a false reality that "everything is going to be okay". We choose to live in a world where if we just believe, then there's nothing to worry about. Amidst the false hopes of a mythical American Dream, no more existent today than in other capitalist nations, we wait hopeful for deliverance of evil and for a better tomorrow.

It is difficult to find a sliver of happiness from those forgotten by society. Drug abusers, children from broken homes, mentally challenged, and illegal immigrants. God only knows why bad things happen to good people. That, of course, is the million dollar question. So what is our role in life? Aren't all of us called to pursue and find happiness? Why won't God create conditions for all of us to enjoy life?

Yet I do remain hopeful. Prayerful that one day we can all let a sigh of relief fully trusting without fear in the promises God has given us. Let's not grow weary of what tomorrow brings, or be scared of difficulty, for only those who have witnessed God's work can truly believe that a better tomorrow will come. I am not scared of being alone. I am not scared of sickness, pain, suffering or even death. I am scared of losing hope, because without it there is nothing to live for.

This is my prayer,

God. Let us not be afraid of what it is to come. Let us press on forward, fully trusting in your sovereignty and might. Lord, never abandon us, never let us go. We long for you... for the hope you give us to live one more day. And though our days are short, like mere handbreaths, allow us to live a good life. Fervently we pray, to show us what we don't see. To break our hearts and for our path to be shown clearly. If it is your will, allow us to rejoice... and eat... and sing... and dance... and love. And even if those things don't come to pass, give us a heart to be grateful even in the face of despair. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David. ¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 ² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
 ³ he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
   through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
   for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.
 ⁵ You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
   forever.