“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9, New American Standard Bible).
The horrific events of San Bernardino have once more shattered the senses of humanity. Our personalized feelings of anger, frustration, fear, disbelief, confusion, grief, or helplessness invade our seasonal joy. The conversation touches almost every area of life: politics, religion, family, gun rights, extremism, violence, and public safety.
Without minimizing the value of these pertinent conversations, the context is largely beyond our immediate and personal control. Even though we have our opinions, the reality is that other people are making the decisions that affect us. San Bernardino is more than 2,200 miles away from me. What difference can I really make?
In my small corner of the world, what can I do about a hate-filled tragedy so far away? From where I live, my suggestion is to do the right thing in your little world.
Jesus lived in a pretty small world Himself. Even though He came to bring salvation for the entire world, He made His difference in a little corner of the globe first. He limited His travels to a relatively small number of miles, but surely He knew that there were other continents out there. We know about His miraculous healings, but what about all those disabled people He walked past? He chose a dozen people to join His inner circle; but wouldn’t His impact have been broader if He had 1,000 disciples, particularly given the ineptitude of some of the Twelve? His public ministry only totaled about three years, with the first three decades of His life in basic obscurity. What a difference could He have made if He worked until age 65?
Equipped with the most important message in the history of the world, Jesus delivered the word through a very small window of the planet. He changed the world from His small corner.
His example is our lesson. We too must find fulfillment and purpose in doing the right thing in our little sphere. In light of the tragedy in San Bernardino, we must try harder to get along with our enemy at work. We must hug our children more tightly. We must love our spouses more sacrificially. We must thank our local responders more regularly. We must respect our neighbors who think differently than we. We must drive our cars with a gentler spirit. We must shop our stores with a more patient attitude.
Through it all, we pray that God will see His plan taking place in our little corner of the world; that God will multiply our good to other corners of the globe; and that God will take care of what we cannot.
Just a thought from where I live,
Allen Reasons
On Second Thought 
Oh , how I miss you and your teachings at FAB. Yes we are miles away but we certainly can love more, hug more and love our neighbors and show love to all peoples, and maybe that would change some of the violence that is going on in our world today, May God bless you and your family .
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Thank you so much for reading, Faye. Have a wonderful Christmas!
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Thank you for your words of wisdom. I will do my best in my little corner of this vast, big world. It’s what we all can do! It’s what we can control! Thank you for your insight!!
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Thank you, Susan. I hope your Christmas is a blessed one.
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Reading your words made my heart feel like I was at home for the first time in 6 months. So thankful for your gifts of generosity and wisdom!
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You are so kind. Thank you, Allison!
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Thank You for your reflections about San Bernardino. I am so thankful that God continues to use you to spread his word.
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Thank you so much, Pam. Have a wonderful Christmas!
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So pleased that you are continuing to bless us with your thoughts and words.
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Thank you so much, Lisa. I hope you, Todd, and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
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After reading this initial entry, I feel like I have returned home, or maybe welcoming back family whom I’ve been missing for too long. Allen, there’s not enough words to fully articulate how good it is to read your words of insight and inspiration. Sorely missed, and that’s a hugh understatement. Debbie and I continually keep you and your family in our prayers.
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Bill, thank you for your generous words. They mean so much to me. Merry Christmas!
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Thank you so much for sharing the wisdom and knowledge God has blessed you with. Your comments are very thought provoking. Looking forward to more.
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Bless you, Beverly. Thank you.
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Thank you, Allen, for continuing to bless us with your insights and writings! We hope you will continue to bless us on a regular basis. We love you and your family and miss you tremendously.
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Thank you for reading, Jerrie. I hope you and Fred have a wonderful Christmas.
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I tend to worry about so many things I have no control over as usual your words help me to focus in my own backyard. Thanks for your wisdom
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Phil. Hope you and your family have a wonderful New Year’s.
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