Pollyanna Has Left The Building

This summer our older child read the book Pollyanna. I was not exactly sure I wanted her to read it. I didn't want her to think that playing a "glad game" could always overcome any adversity or injustice she might experience. How different was it from a chirpy quote or a pat answer that I have given in times of stress or worry? (Answer: not much!) What might a more accurate perspective be, then? If Pollyanna has left the building, what's next?

"Positive thinking" will not solve the problems of the world, neither will nuking our enemies. The reason bad things happen has a name, and it is called "sin". Yours. Mine. Ours. Evil came into our world along time ago, and whether one believes in a real Adam and Eve or not, you have to admit that humans are not acting like they were "made in the image of God."

I have no wise words to offer for the recent terrorist attacks of September 11th. I have cried, worried, prayed, and hurt for the bereaved and injured. I have listened to unanswerable questions from my children. I have watched their innocence be eroded by the effects of sin in our world.

I have been angry. I have hated a people, a county, a race that I do not know or understand. I have asked and been given forgiveness for my arrogance and pride over my race and country of origin. I have been reminded of God's love for people - all kinds of people - and that by His mercy, this time, my family was spared.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. …For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:28, 38-39)

The song in my heart hasn't changed. The words have deeper meaning than before, though. I will cling to His promises and take Him at His Word… and that's not Pollyanna talking a "glad game". That's real life.