Thursday’s Quote of the Day

It always strikes me, and it is very peculiar, that when we see the image of indescribable and unutterable desolation - of loneliness, of poverty and misery, the end of all things, or their extreme - then rises in our mind the thought of God.  - Vincent van Gogh

I’ve been thinking this morning (dangerous, I know).  When something goes wrong or just to the right of perfect, the majority of us blame whomever is in charge. I’m as guilty as anyone. For example, the other night my beloved St. Louis Cardinals fell behind early in a game against the Brewers.  Our pitcher threw a few pitches that my arthritic 18 year old cat could have hit.  Did I grumble at the batter(s) for having the audacity to swing?  No.  Did I grumble at Yadier Molina for not giving different signs?  Heck no (my youngest daughter loves him and would have thrown something at me).  Did I call out the pitcher, himself?  Oddly enough, no.  In between bites of popcorn, I went after the head honcho with a “LaRussa!” 

When prices go up or something ugly happens in the world, we blame the individual in the oval office.  Clinton was to blame for all of the world’s problems when he was in office and Bush gets them laid at his feet when he’s in office.  Fair?  No, of course not.  What’s even more out of whack is the number of Republicans who were watching with baited breath for Clinton to mess up and the Democrats who are doing the same with Bush.

However, even worse than the scenarios above is the deal God gets.  Whenever there’s a tornado, hurricane, war, or human suffering of any kind - THEN God’s name comes up.  How could God let this happen! 

It’s sad, when you think about it.  Every minute in the day, there’s a miracle happening somewhere in the world.  Yet, God’s name is rarely mentioned as the source.  But let something bad happen and His is the first name brought up.

We should all be just as quick to praise and applaud as we are to criticize and blame.  Quicker.

Don’t look for God where He is needed most; if you didn’t bring Him there, He isn’t there.  - Mignon McLaughlin