Beech Tree News Network

Sidney Poitier said, “So much of life, it seems to me, is determined by pure randomness” 

 (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/randomness.html). Randomness is the lack of a pattern. So, I’m sharing some random thoughts today. 

First, the recent rains have done quite a bit of damage to homes and trees and possibly to crops. A recent WBKO poll questions asked: Did your home or property suffer any storm damage? Of those who responded, over 29% said yes. In our community, I noticed several trees were damaged. My house is old and responds randomly to rain. Most of the time the rain stays outside. But then occasionally – when we have a heavy rain blowing in just the right direction, one of my windows leaks. Since this only happens about twice a year, I tend to forget until the next time. Windows should not leak. Not only is it messy but there’s something insulting about a leaky window. 

Second, my dad’s family is having a reunion soon. I plan to attend and enjoy being with extended family members. My cousin requested that we bring baby pictures for a guess-who activity. Several years ago, my mom gave each of her children picture albums filled with their pictures, so I have pictures from which to choose. The really young pictures of me could pass for just about any baby, so I have chosen a black-and-white toddler picture. In this picture, I was not smiling; I was only tolerating the sit-still situation. I guess I hadn’t been taught to pose for the camera. My expression alone dates the picture. Today most toddlers have been taught to smile for the camera – even for the re-take(s). At any rate, I have a picture for the reunion activity.

Finally, on a more serious note, the mass killings that have occurred in the United States and elsewhere are disturbing. The victims did not deserve such treatment. The murderers took lives as if those lives had no value. Whether the killers’ reasoning had to do with religion, race or some other criteria, the killings have been senseless. Identifying and reporting dangerous behavior has become critical. I believe open dialogues about the many problems in our society would accomplish so much more than taking lives has accomplished. People are different. We must learn, be empathetic, and change prejudicial behaviors.

According to Eric Hoffer, “Creativity is the ability to introduce order into the randomness of nature” (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/randomness.html). In the instances above, I can do something about a leaking window or finding a baby picture. However, mass killings are a much bigger problem, requiring the ‘creativity’ of problem-solving and humble prayer.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV): if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.