Scripture Refound.

 Carol Thonton was kind enough to know the same scripture that has eluded my search:  Isaiah 57:1 "The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil." Several times this verse has come to my thoughts when someone has left us behind. Knowing that they sleep does not make it a lot easier for us, but sometimes it makes more sense than to think of the righteous suffering through the times that are now upon us and those that are to come. When babies are thrown away, torn to pieces, abused if allowed to live, and others harm the little children--these are the times of suffering and evil. Yes, it has been like this before in history. It will probably happen long after my exit from this vail of tears, but again, we know that God has allowed some things for His reasons. He tells us in His word that Pharaoh was HIS servant to bring about things that caused the Israelites to want to leave the land of Egypt. Think about that. They missed the melons and cucumbers at one point and wanted to go back. Slavery, but they wanted to go back! Slavery is a type of security, isn't it. Being abused is what becomes familiar. How does one go to another way of life? THIS world is not our home.

Some of us are naturally stubborn. Contrary? Contentious? But it takes skills to hide those traits gracefully. Most Americans have the traits, but not necessarily the skills needed to behave gracefully. We argue our beliefs loudly and sometimes obnoxiously. This may be why we are considered "ugly" Americans. Once we have considered that the Europeans sent their second sons who would never inherit any title, much less land or wealth, to other lands to conquer or be conquered, then it should not be so surprising that we have those characteristics. And then the English were astounded that those second sons were so rebellious. Imagine that! We can laugh, but some of our fellow Americans are right up there in line with all the rest of the second sons. If you know a few rebels, then you know who we are and maybe why.

Tonight my prayers are for the second sons and for the first sons as well. The daughters who will be praying for those sons and hoping for the blessings upon them that only God can bestow. It is quite true that some of us are alive today only because of the prayers of our mothers and grandmothers. God blesses those who ask when they know that they ask what is in His will. And sometimes the blessings belong in that verse--the righteous are taken away. When our dear friends are taken, we might remember that, but it is so hard to do. Or at least it is hard to live without the ones we love. So we ask for peace and calm in the storms of our mind. Let us remember that no matter what happens around us, we have another place that is a fortress of love.

Please be safe and use common sense right now. Pray for calmness and peace. You are loved.