We’ve all been overwhelmed by the news of the past few weeks – for the past few decades as a matter of fact. We can sit back in our recliners and make snide comments about a particular person. We might even be so bold as to post our opinions on social media. I used to rant quite a bit until I realized it was non-productive. So, what’s the alternative? Do we sit back and watch our country fall apart? Do we continue to stress over political rhetoric, conspiracy theories, those running for office or those who can’t make up their minds? Well, there I go again.

I take out my frustrations in my garden. It seems to be therapeutic for me to retreat to the weeds and rip them out with a fervor that is bent on destruction. This past week I started pruning a bush until it was almost a little stub growing out of the ground. I had all kinds of brush to dispose of, so I grabbed the wheelbarrow and started hauling things away. A little five-year-old neighbor must’ve seen me struggling so came over to help. Between the two of us we cleaned everything up and had a good conversation during the time we spent together. I told her that she should be careful, which is like telling a bird not to fly. We talked about my getting older and not being able to do the things I used to. She asked me if I was old enough to die. I told her I was. She wondered if she would die someday. I told her she probably would, but she would most likely go to heaven. She asked if I was going to be in heaven. I told her I was. She said she was glad we would be together there. Oh, my goodness. Out of the mouth of babes.

For a moment all the chaos going on in the world, seemed to be very unimportant. Two separate generations had a chat in the garden that would make it all go away. Life is so short. We spend so much of it worrying about tomorrow or the next day or the next. In the process we often miss the best of it. Some things will never change. We can sit and watch as our world crumbles or we can do something about it to make it better. All the negativity, division and nastiness will continue. We can pray about it to the only One who knows the future. We can be confident that His plan is perfect and for our good. We can tear our hair out in despair, or we can ask God to heal our land. He loves having conversations with us. Go to Him in prayer today. He is the only answer, but it doesn’t hurt to talk to a five-year-old either.