A Pivotal Moment
I may have written about this experience in the past... so, if I have... bear with me.
In junior high, I came home from school one day disheartened and frustrated. I was even a little angry. I remember telling my mother about how tired I was of a few kids who were cheating on tests in one of my classes. I had known for awhile this was going on but became very discouraged by it when the cheating resulted in a better grade than mine.
I started crying and told her "it just wasn't fair." I had listened, taken notes, and studied for my test while they had slacked and cheated. (I was still too timid to realize I could have exposed the cheaters...) I told her I wanted to quit school... it just wasn't worth it... I was tired of seeing cheaters benefit from doing wrong.
She calmly listened to my story. She went and got a Bible and read to me from Psalm 37. "Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity..." My anger and frustration melted away. All of a sudden, I could deal with wrong in the world. I was confident God was watching all of us... and taking notes. I knew I wanted to "trust in the Lord, and do good." It didn't matter what others around me chose to do... I had no control over others... only myself. And, I was determined to do my best!
My mother changed my outlook that day. Yes, I get frustrated and sometimes depressed about the depravity of human nature. But, I also rejoice in the good of many people. A lot of people are simply trying to do their best. And, I pray... with God's help... I am one of them!
