Does It Really Matter?

Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. Psalm 34:14

As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned to shrug off many things that once would have upset me. Thus, when a waitress dumped a glass of water into my lap recently, I accepted her apologies with, “Oh, I’ve had worse things happen,” as I helped her sop it up.

I can mutter, “Let it go. Let it go,” when another driver cuts me off on Interstate 25. And if I run into a rude clerk, I tell myself she’s worried about her four-year-old grandson who is seriously ill. Am I being dramatic? Of course. But isn’t that more fun than taking rudeness personally?

Perhaps I don’t get as upset over the little stuff now because I’ve finally learned the futility of useless tension. Or maybe it’s because I had to face my young husband’s death from brain cancer when our children were just ten and eight. Believe me, that puts life and daily stress into proper perspective. I had two small children who needed me, so I had no choice but to cling to the Lord, discuss everything with him, and trust him to take us through each day.

But his voice and his direction weren’t always clear, so when I faced a cross-country move that would provide a wonderful ministry opportunity but would take us away from extended family, I took a long walk through an old cemetery. As I studied the names and dates on the crumbling stones, I reminded myself nothing really matters if it doesn’t matter for eternity. My children and I made the move in record time. We still encountered occasional stress. But whatever came along, the Lord helped us handle it. After all, relying on him is the best solution to stress.

—SANDRA

Lord, thank you for the times I haven’t given in to stressful situations. But I know other ones are waiting. Help me to remember that I don’t have to react poorly.

Be about your Father’s business. There will always be plenty of other people occupied with the affairs of the world.

—FRANCES J. ROBERTS, AUTHOR, POET, AND SONGWRITER

From the book