Human Suffering: Is it GOD'S shortcoming?

Possibly at no other time in America’s history, has there been such starkly dramatic CONTRAST between opposing Presidential candidates. I mean, WHEW~ whadda race! I believe Divine Providence had a hand in this spectacular outcome, and nobody can convince me otherwise.

The deck was stacked, we all knew it, and Trump still pulled off the most historical landslide imaginable. We didn’t know whether to feel shocked or in awe when results were tabulated. Maybe it was both.

But this is not a paper about politics. Well, I suppose in some fashion it is, but I’ll leave that determination up to each of you. I just hope you’ll take this ride with me, and maybe it’ll fill in a blank or two for ya.

On the subject of contrast, I’ve heard a lotta people pose the troubling question: “If there really IS a God, then why does he allow so much suffering?!” I always think to myself, it’s a rational question~ but then again, faith doesn’t live in the rational world.

I try to answer this concern in the only way I know how, and it pertains to contrast: If you’ve never experienced being very sick or badly injured, can you appreciate or be grateful for feeling truly well?

If we observed zero misfortune among us, could we feel grateful we have our good health, our mobility and our intact bodies? Could we feel blessed for having had the good fortune of giving birth to a healthy baby, when many are born ill or deformed?

Many in our world have vast riches. Maybe they had a little divine ‘wind beneath their wings’ to help ‘em get there~ but how many of these individuals are truly altruistic and benevolent? Do they ever feel compelled, based on their great fortunes, to share with those they know are hurting or less fortunate?

Maybe God leaves it up us humans to be his messengers, his go-betweens, his conduits or surrogates. Are we as generous or magnanimous as he’s helped us become in human form, so that we CAN make a tangible difference in another’s life??

I wonder sometimes, why so many people wanna scapegoat GOD for all the hunger, illness, infirmity and homelessness that exists in our world, rather than saying, “what have I been gifted in terms of wisdom, talents, strengths, abilities or riches, that enable me to assist others in need?” WE are the ones with money in our pockets, are we not? Are you listening, Oprah, Ellen and Obama?? Are you invested in helping mankind or harming it with your prodigious wealth, Mr. Gates?

As a young woman who’d lived hand to mouth for many years, I donated blood regularly~ like, as often as Cedar Sinai Hospital would allow. I’ve donated well over 8 gallons of blood in my lifetime. My point is, I didn’t have money to spare, but my blood saved lives. It felt great to contribute in this way. Besides, when ya give a pint, ya lose a pound!

These days, I try to offer kindness and compassion, wisdom and know-how to all I encounter. I try to spread a little joy wherever I can, ‘cause it feels good to give and receive. Learning how to graciously receive, is every bit as important as knowing how to give. The tide of the ocean routinely goes out to sea, but it must return to shore carrying sand and shells, or no beaches would exist anywhere in our world. A rewarding life is about being cognizant and respectful of balance.

On my walk yesterday, I ran into two different neighbors I hadn’t seen in awhile. I offered them each a hug. One was in the middle of cleaning, and felt ashamed she mighta been “smelly.” I didn’t care (and she smelled lovely, by the way). I hugged her tight. This woman works two jobs, and only gets one day off a week, during which she does housework! I suspect it’s how she ‘manages’ her depression (“if I stay busy enough, I won’t have to feel it”). Sadly, it’s an all too common practice.

The thing is, I sensed she needed that hug~ and to tell ya the truth, so did I. We far underestimate the healing and regenerative power that social intercourse gives us. A hug can go a long way, when it’s the only human contact we may get for months, or even years. Old people go to doctors a lot so they can be poked, prodded and handled. We need touch and caress as infants, and we never actually outgrow that need.

This little exchange of energy can alter the course of one’s entire day~ or even week. And perhaps God smiles, and somehow shares in that embrace. Maybe this is why it lifts our spirits and feels rejuvenating. Just one hug~ a bit of human touch, can make a big difference for someone.

We can easily neglect to be thankful for what we have, until we no longer have it. Those in our world who suffer, are perhaps the simple reminders of just how fortunate many of us we really are. Have you ever taken your good health for granted? How about your lover or spouse? Can you imagine your daily life without that person, if they were suddenly gone?

In closing, I sometimes wonder if the Karmic Boomerang moves stealthily through many generations, and lands on people who might need a little nudge in the way of living with chronic pain or struggle, to humble and help ‘em evolve into someone they can respect and feel proud of, during the next rotation or two. I don’t have all the answers. I’ve just been intensely fascinated with the questions, my entire life.

While it’s tempting and convenient to blame “God” for the deficits we observe in our world, their function might simply be to remind us of our humanity~ or the lack thereof.