A realization...and a growing desire

Tonight, as we prepared for the wine and cheese party that's scheduled to commence very soon, R.E. shared about the, er, eventful day he's had. Some of said events included discovering that the building he's renovating got broken into and about US$13,000 worth of equipments had been stolen, and an electricity outage, and the staircase in his home needs to be fixed soon. What struck me was that, despite seeming just a bit more tired than usual, he was still quite calm and looking forward to the party. As he recounted his day, he cut up and arranged with expert leisure the cheeses he brought.

One of the most hard-working people I know, yet I always get a sense of peace every time I talk with him. I know I probably don't leave people with that calmness when I share about my life, but I would so like to. To live out the permanent stamp of joy found in the eternal kind of life. I have been a pessimist, protecting myself with cynicism and worst-case-scenarios.

I would like to surrender that. To stop bemoaning the problems in my marriage, or the difficulties of caring for a baby. There are good things in all these places. Even if there aren't, let my heart bear praise. Show me how, God, train me now.