Catch it!

It seems the topic of late, at least in 2008, has been that of suffering. I don't want to use that word melodramatically, nor do I want to get into the discussion of comparing sufferings. Each person has their own problems and tolerance for pain, I believe (physical and emotional), and God gives us each what we can handle. So, on this topic, I was collecting my thoughts this afternoon, and reading over some old notes from books I've read, and I found this quote. It's from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger:

Once you get past all the Mr. Vinsons, you're going to start getting closer and closer--that is, if you want to, and if you look for it and wait for it--to the kind of information that will be very, very dear to your heart. Among other things, you'll find that you're not the first person who was ever been confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You're by no means alone on that score, you'll be excited and stimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are now. Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. You'll learn from them--if you want to. Just as someday, if you have something to offer, someone will learn something from you. It's a beautiful reciprocal arrangement. And it isn't education. It's history. It's poetry.

I was driving home the other night, listening to the radio, and a horrible thought came into my head. I just kept wondering why bad things happen to me, why my life seems so hard, and why can't things go smoothly ever for me. I felt awful about it, but I just couldn't seem to get out of that mental framework. I feel like I've been stuck there for many months now, and witnessing my friends go through hard times makes me wonder if life just isn't one big constant struggle. However, I tried to remember everything I've been given freely, it would seem. Number one, God has given me his grace. I also have a very warm bed and home, food on a regular basis, plenty of clothing, a decent job, opportunities to go to graduate school, a family who would take me in again, if I was ever on the street, the list goes on and on. When I think of these things, I don't try to diminish and push away the pain and suffering that I personally feel, I just try to fit things into perspective, and try to see the situation through God's eyes. This quote by Salinger made me just realize, I am not the first person to see the tragedy that so often is this world. And I have others before me whom I can read, listen to, and speak with who remind me that I am not alone. And I think that is the point--God filled this earth with six billion people and counting: a pretty strong hint that he wants us to spend time together, I'd say. Whether we are bonding over shared happiness, sadness, loneliness, or joy, at least we have someone to share it with!