It is human nature to assume and expect that those things we cherish most will always be with us. Many folks are so caught up in their careers that they don’t take time to really show their appreciation to others, especially their parents. I’m thankful that the Lord gave me almost four months during my dad’s battle with cancer to “get it right”.

I find it easy to sympathize with Hannah in her misery. I suspect all of us have down times, when life seems dark and empty, as if everything has gone wrong, and we are poignantly aware of how unfair it all is. Bitterness can set in when we face the injustices and pain of this world. If allowed to take root in our hearts, it’s very destructive.

When faced with something unpleasant, we usually do everything we can to avoid it. We’d surely spit it out if we could. Even when we know it’ll be good for us, that we need it, we often resist. How about dental check-ups, spring cleaning, or studying for an important exam? How about confronting that guy at work, asking for forgiveness, or forgiving? And sometimes we just don’t understand. We don’t really know what we need. God does though, and sometimes it’s a bitter pill.

Yes, the state of our nation’s political process is in despair. Yes, we wish the wars were over so our brave troops could come home. Yes, our leaders have let us down. But in all this there is so much to be thankful for. Knowing Christ and living in a free America has so many benefits… Instead of tracking with the pessimists, let’s remind ourselves that our greatest hope and dreams can be realized in Christ Jesus.

Sometimes we face the unpleasant, the impossible or the unthinkable, and we lose hope. All we see is the suffering, the immense task or the loss. The following story reminds us that Jesus is right in the middle of our pain, offering comfort and strength.

My heart aches for the families affected by acts of terrorism or war — especially for the children. Starving for love and affection, they weep and long for the warm embrace of departed family members. Such was the case in World War II. Hundreds of thousands of orphans were in dire need of shelter, food, medical attention, and love.

Worry and fear are no respecter of persons. Have you ever wrestled with them? They creep into our lives without regard to our position, power, or authority. There are all kinds of worries and fears we can focus on. Maybe you are a worrier. Maybe too much of your time is consumed with worrying about things that might not happen or ultimately have little real impact. Mark Twain once said this about worry, “Worrying is like paying a debt you don’t owe.”

Over the years and in a variety of situations, I’ve felt that I’m a pretty good multitasker. I believed that I could usually handle several issues or thoughts at the same time, but a recent experience shocked me to my very core. This issue so impacted my life that I decided that this month our devotionals would discuss how distractions can influence our lives.