Are we really prepared to meet the Lord in a state of doubt?

As the elements of hatred appear to infiltrate our peaceful environment the signs of treachery are creeping into the minds of innocent citizens. September 11, 2001 was a day in infamy using the words of President Rosevelt regarding the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. After two horrendous attacks on our nation that were thought to be impossible, both should have become a wake-up call to anyone who has their heads in the sand.

The misguided premise from almost everyone is “It can’t happen to me.” These are thoughts of watching our close relatives or friends that suddenly are diagnosed with cancer or a severe condition regarding their heart. If we are aware of how that positive entity will find each one of us, the walls of doubt spring up telling us it is someone else who is sadly in a precarious position.

Death is going to come upon you and me sooner or later. Like the surprise attacks on our nation that could never occur so the unwanted words from a doctor may floor our peaceful life when his diagnosis tells us to get our final preparations in order. Perhaps some of you have heard that a close friend, child, or spouse is now at death’s door and all you can do is pray that it isn’t real.

I Remember how my wife and daughter reacted after I hung up the phone and related the news that my medical exams showed I had cancer. At times the news can have a debilitating effect on others more than us. Accepting the news was easier for me since my father had similar cancer and the symptoms I experienced indicated something was wrong. Fortunately, an operation was needed but without follow-up chemo or radiation treatments were not necessary. I’ve been cancer free for 30 years. However, the thought of a lot of close friends and some relatives who are no longer with us becomes a warning that I could be next. This is a reminder that being prepared for the unexpected is to put our spiritual emphasis on Christ and place any negative attitude into the hopper that becomes a positive outlook if our faith is the prime element of our mind.

When any of us is ready to accept the unwanted outlook to stand as positive saints we will put others at ease. As a minister at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh in my early years of ordination, the one positive surprise was when visiting the children;s ward and a number of these children were undergoing treatments for cancer. The demeanor of all of them was smiles and an accepting manner that they had no negative appearances. There is something that children seem to have is a positive approach to life no matter how severe life has handed them.

Take a walk through a hospital ward with the patients who are children, the bad feelings of anything that might be on your mind will suddenly disappear. Children are resilient, positive, and reflections ofa hope that Christ’s Spirit injects within adults. You cannot paint a picture of hope more than watching children whose conditions should bring tears and sadness to us and pray our own outlook can emulate their living condition.

Ralph B. Hathaway