By Doris Schroeder

If you, like me, are flabbergasted at the happenings going on in our world today, you are not alone. When I was young , I never would have dreamt that we could have so much chaos happening in our world at one time. The fact that it is occurring even in America, a country that was founded on the Word of God, is almost beyond comprehension.

Our youngest grandson, Mike, stopped in to see us this week and it was such a delight. He works in a Colorado mountain resort and has to relate to a lot of different personalities, some who become angry at times over situations he has no control over.  He relates to them what can be done in a calm voice and soon they are back on the right track. Then later, he makes sure to thank them for their cooperation and they become friendly once again…it always makes for a “better situation.” This works well even in the secular world.

We discussed how that is what is wrong with the world in general. Everyone thinks it HAS to be done their way or not at all. We forget the Bible verse of instruction that was given to Christians  in Ephesians 4:32: “And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (KJ V). But of course, there are some times when you definitely have to stand your ground if it is based on the Word of God since that is the only instructions that have stood the test of time.

When Mike was in high school, for a while his ambition was to become the president of the United States and he was going to run in 2020. At that time, to me, it seemed possible and probable. The only thing was he wanted us to live in the Roosevelt Room at the White House and I really didn’t think we can live that long.

It certainly would have been worth a try!  Hubby could have planted his vegetables in the Rose Garden and I could write a daily column in the Washington paper. We’d have to find out about the Farmer’s Market so we’d have a place to sell the produce.  Or else…we could donate them to the needy. Our plans consisted of us baking a lot of healthy cookies with oatmeal and raisins for the Senior population. This, of course, was to encourage them voting and following  some of his precepts.

As I remember our plans now, it probably would have been a great possibility. He could have talked to those in the world we don’t get along with too well and encouraged them to do better.  But of course, it may have been too late.

You see, being around Mike for a couple hours already has me making plans of things we will probably never do…for a little while, at least, I could envision the possibilities.

His plans this week was to go to the big K-State & Auburn football game and cheer them on in Manhattan. He worked at a hotel in Manhattan when he went to college and got to know Coach Snyder pretty well. I know he has a lot of confidence in him as a coach and his desire to “stay focused.”

At any rate, grandson Mike and I sometimes disagree but we do it “agreeably.” He is one of the ones in this world I detect a “writer’s brain.” That, to me, means he is willing to discuss  all the possibilities and “what ifs” of different situations.

Along with my hubby, the three of us decided we would try to go out of our way to try to encourage people along the path of life. This we will do, not to bring recognition to ourselves but help someone else to have a good day and be able to endure the trials that will come in this life. Of course, doing that will also make us feel we are doing our part to do what God wants of us…helping others, and that, of course, is a “better situation.”

I’d love to hear about your ideas!

Doris appreciates your comments and can be reached at [email protected]