This Year’s Ghosts
The last couple of years have been difficult for many. The development of new effective medicines gave us hope, but the viruses continue. In fact, new viruses have arrived. Some people have suffered greatly. As we begin 2023, you may be thinking “How can I make it through another year?”
Let me tell you a true story that will help us travel this year. My father was reared in western Kentucky. His earliest days were spent on a small farm of just a few acres. Like many other families in that time and place, they owned a mule to till the soil. They existed on a large garden and two milk cows.
When Dad was still a small boy, his father sent Dad down into the dusky pasture to “fetch” the cows. Shortly thereafter, Dad appeared back at the barn----pale as a sheet, out of breath, and without the cows.
My grandfather asked, “Son, what happened? Where are the cows?”
Between breaths Dad answered, “I couldn’t get them. There is a ghost down in the pasture.”
“A ghost?”
“Yes, it is white and came at me screaming. So, I ran back to the barn.”
“Well,” my grandfather replied, “Let’s go see this ghost.” He extended his hand for Dad to hold as they began the trek to the lower pasture. A moment before Dad was petrified by the ghost; now with his hand in his father’s hand, he approached this mysterious adversary with great confidence.
When the two of them reached the lower pasture, they found a large white gander with a broken wing. The goose was trying to fly but couldn’t and hoarsely honked in pain and frustration. That was the ghost.
I hope that story can help you as much as it has helped me. Face the New Year with your hand in God’s hand, and you will have no cause to fear. Remember, most of our “ghosts” fail to materialize when we face them with God.
