An optimist says: Thorns have roses; and a pessimist : Roses have thorns; but a
realist
says No
thorns,no roses!
So is lifeeeternally wedded to deathand resurrection, begetting both pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow, shine and shower, cross and crown, all guidedand directed by a compassionate Lord, who alone knows how to write straight and crooked lines.
Therefore a God fearing (fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom) realist should begin his day with the humble offering and heartfelt cry:
"All my joys and sorrows today, all my
desires and disappointments, all my gains and losses, successes and failures, hopes and fears today, I offer at your feet, O Lord."
"Not only my own needs today, but also the needs, desires and prayerful supplications of all those who depend on me and are around me, I offer humbly at your feet. Help them and me with your loving grace to rise up to your expectations in handling the string of ups and downs you have in store for me from this dawn to today''s dusk." Amen. Dr. James Kottoor