Life is Beautiful

Worry is a common human problem, but the fact is some of us are worse worriers than others! Everyday I see
around me need. Benin is not a country at war or famine or anything, but like much of Africa there is still much
need, much suffering. There are poor people lacking clothing, food; there are confused people wondering why
they are sick or a loved one passed away. The most common difficulty, that I see, is lack of love. This is really
the common human problem, people are not loved genuinely by those around them and even worse
they do not know or have been taught incorrectingly about God's amazing love. Can't say it is all hopeless. I have
seen glimpses of special moments. Like when my landlord's son takes time to play with his little sister (he is the
oldest and she the youngest), or when a grandmother defends her toddler grandchildren when they are being scolded for playing
around, "that is there job isn't? to play, have fun." But overall you do not hear encouragement or words of love
in most families. At school it is the same, teachers find themselves being condescending more than encouraging.
All this does not make me think that they are evil people, just lost people, hurting people, that's why I am here,
to help them not be lost or hurting! In any case, I do find myself getting downhearted at times. There is always
so much need, and I can't help them all directly, I can surely be a positive example, sharing kind words, doing
helpful things, loving others, but still. So I can get worried wonder about my impact, anxious that I may
not be able to help in all ways that I can. Last Sabbath afternoon (Feb. 7) I should be have more joyful. I had
come home from prayer and fasting. The first Sabbath of every month is prayer and fasting. Church in the morning then
a time of prayer in the afternoon. A lot of people came in the afternoon, and we prayed through the armour of God
in Ephesians 6. I try to make the prayer time creative, dispersing group prayers, individual prayers, partner prayers, and
Bible prayers (ie from Psalms), to keep people focused and engaged. At 4PM I cam home and was hungry but
satisfied. Yet I wasn't sure what to do. Then I started worrying. Maybe I should go visit a friend I haven't seen in a while,
but I'd also like to do this, and there's the end of that Jesus movie I'd like to see. I did go visit my friend who was not home.
So I came back and since my laptop's sound doesn't work, I went to Manny's room to use his computer. Before I started I
browsed through some of his music library. I found some songs by Michelle Tumes, not really familiar with her material,
so I checked it out. One song caught my attention. The words really interested me and the melody was calm and enjoyable.
It was about a little girl as she grew up. A sort of biography; and the the end of the song revealed it was actually
Michelle's own biography. The chorus was this line, "Wouldn't you say, wouldn't you say Life is beautiful." I was kind
of awe struck. As she described it, her upbringing was not in a rich setting, but yet she was loved. I thought about
my worries and struggles, and those words seem to bring about healing and some new perspective. Life is beautiful.
Not life as we live it, with sin and sorrow and pain, but life, the gift of breathing, the beauty in a new born, the wonder
of a child's smile. The life that God gives, abundant life. I can say life is beautiful. "He has made everything beautiful in its time, and He has put eternity in their hearts..." (Eccl.4:11) I am thankful to God for providing me with another
encouragement, I do not need to worry, life is beautiful with Christ.