A Soulful Journey

The death of the Egyptians upon the seashore is a glaring symbol of the ultimate doom of evil in its struggle with good. There is something in the very nature of the universe which is on the side of Israel in its struggle with every Egypt. There is something in the very nature of the universe which ultimately comes to the aid of goodness in its perennial struggle with evil.     Martin Luther King,  "The Death of Evil Upon the Seashore,"  1956.  The  fears that we have today we have had throughout the epochs.   Trust is key. Trust in the covenant. Trust in the downfall of each generation's Pharaohs. Trust God.

This story is told about a man who had reached the ripe old age of 100 years. On his birthday reporters came to interview him.  One of them asked, “To what do you attribute your old age?”  He replied, “I breathe fresh air, take plenty of rest, and do not eat too much. I live at careful life.” The reporter said, “I had an uncle who did all these things and he died when he was only 50 years old.” The old man retorted, “The trouble with your uncle was that he did not keep it up long enough!” We must always take good care of ourselves but in the final analysis our fate is in God’s hands.

"As  the  my rtle  is sweet to him who smells it, but bitter to him who bites into it, so Israel brings prosperity to the nation which grants it  kindness , and depression to the people which afflicts it with evil."  -Esther Rabbah 6,5  

A study was commissioned on spontaneous healing:  A farmer was diagnosed as having cancer.  He accepted what he was told.  There was no denial. Similarly when the EPA told him he had oil in his fields he replied, "Well, I still have corn." There is an old saying in the Jewish tradition, "One should bless God for the good and the bad."  Perhaps such realistic living allows us to become the most whole person God expects we can be.

Starting out in life with someone who believes in you is a good start. A Jewish mother took her two little children out for a walk. “How nice your kids!” said a neighbor.  “How old are they?” “The doctor will be four and the lawyer is two,” said the mother.   

A poor man had five children when his wife bore twins.   The priest met him on the street and said, “I see that the Lord has smiled on you again.” “Smiled?!   He laughed right out loud.” There is always more than one way to view a situation.

"The Fates lead him who will; him who won't, they drag."   ~ old Roman saying While there are no such things as "Fates" there is a wisdom found in this old axiom.  Acceptance of life is important.  There are some things we have the power to change and others that we may howl and moan about but no amount of tears will alter what has happened. In the latter instance, the most wholesome thing we can do is accept what has occurred.  The alternative is to allow nightmares to litter our slumber and day mental wanderings that incessantly replay events and reliving the pain.  And you are too important to let that happen.