Every now and then I feel called to re-read a book that I had the pleasure of enjoying in the past. Why? Because there are some current life lessons to be learned by me at this older age, that I just wasn’t able to absorb or understand, or didn’t click when I first read them.
I am now reading Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. I am sure many of you have read the book or at least seen the movie. It takes place in the 1930’s in Alabama. As I read Scout’s recounting of the happenings in her life, I realize that many things have not changes since the 1930’s. We may even have digressed since then.
For some reason many have difficulty respecting and reverencing the lives of people who are of a different color, race, sexual orientation, religion, you pick the label, and are at loggerheads with others. The divisions in our country, church, political situations seem so contrary to the Gospel and the love we owe one another as fellow human beings.
I am trying to absorb the attitude that Atticus Finch is trying to instill in his two children Scout and Jem. For some reason in my first reading, I missed the point. The insights I am gathering at this time help me to realize that I have lots of growing to do. I hope I can do as Atticus encourages his kids: “Stand up for what is right, even if you are standing alone.”
How I wish the world were as I believe God want’s it to be. So, during this Advent season I will focus on the word of God and pray the Serenity prayer so that I can put all things in perspective. Sometimes we pray simply the first part of the prayer, but lately I have been daily praying the whole thing!
“God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world As it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right If I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with Him Forever and ever in the next.”