Something's Happening Here

Daily I remind myself - Take a deep breath. Don't get sucked into this vortex of swirling emotions.

It has been nearly 3 weeks since the local high school teachers walked off their jobs. They've been working for months with no contract. Negotiating since March brought them no closer to a resolution with the board members than when the talks began. Though I am no longer personally affected by these developments, I cannot help feeling the impact of this event on our community.

I read the news articles in 3 local papers. I read the comments from a select few in the community. I feel my blood pressure rise. I have to talk myself down from the ensuing emotions. I have my own impressions of where the breakdown in communication occurred, but not being personally involved, it is all conjecture on my part. But still, it affects me. It affects people that I care about.

Finally, I find myself turning to God, reminding myself that all things work together for good even when they appear to be evil. I have strong feelings about the strike and whom I support. But I also must be willing to humble myself enough to remember there is another force at work that does not involve the school board, the teachers, the students/parents, or the community at large. That force is at work intimately and equally in each and every life affected in this community.

I confess that I do not feel so generous toward the one who seems to be at the fulcrum of this balancing act. In fact, I have been outspoken in my opinion and it hasn't been kind. All the players have been jockeying for a position of power. But in truth, there is only One who is really in control. It isn't about the players' attempts to impose their wills on the situation. It is God working behind the scenes using circumstances to refine us all as only He can. The players are exactly where they all need to be in order to bring about the greatest discoveries within us all.

So I yield. Not to the players, of which I am one in my own small way. But to God who is Lord over all. It is much more peaceful by these still waters than continuing to struggle against a tumultuous current.

Finally, I am beginning to see the bigger picture. And I now know, it's all good.