Blessings From The Gas Crunch

"What if we run out of gas?"
"How are we going to get places?"
What about our vacation?"

My second daughter, Katie, called last week and we were talking about the current state of this country gone wild. It seems that overnight our stability - what little we were feeling - was shaken and leaving us feeling a bit insecure of our future.
Katie is 24 years old and lives in Chicago. She is a caseworker for the mentally challenged, and loves people. Katie is a servant.
After we whined about the cost of a gallon of gas in our respective states, Katie voiced a well thought out insight.
"Mom, I think this so-called gas shortage is all a gift from God."
"HUH?"
"Think about it for a minute, Mom. There is no disputing that the ozone layer is disappearing. One of the culprits is from gas being emitted into the atmosphere. Now people are not driving as much because it is affecting their wallets, not even thinking about the ozone layer, but it is slowing down the deterioration of the ozone.
Not only that, but families are living alone together and are not gathering around the table much any more. But with the gas scare, people are thinking twice about the unnecessary trips they are taking in their vehicles, and are staying at home more. They are spending more time in their homes - with their families."
"Can't you see, Mom? THIS is all part of God's divine plan!"

Listening to my daughter see God's hand in this time of fear, and recognize that it is a loving hand, made me want to kneel down and cry.
There is no doubt that the country is paralyzed by fear.
But what can we do about it?
There are many things.
We can enjoy what we do have, the gifts that are given to us free of charge.
When you wake up in the morning and open the blinds, say a loud prayer for the gift of another day, another breath, a window to look out at the world through.
Greet a stranger and show them the beauty - the true beauty - of this world that will transcend into the next.
Give a gas card to someone that is struggling with finances, despite your own worries, and feel the warmth spread through your body and land in your heart to reside.
Turn off the TV, close the newspaper, hug your family for no reason at all.
Our economy has survived worse shake-ups that this. This is a part of history that will a story in the future. Do all the good that you can to help alleviate others fears and watch as yours fall off of you, and peace fills your soul.
When you fill up with gas the next time, give the rising prices only the attention that it deserves. And that is a small, swift kick to the tires and then a prayer for the blessings.
Thank you Katie for unveiling the blessings that we allowed to blind us; to the beauty of this season!
The earth and disconnected families will forever be grateful for the gift of the 'gas scare'.

Make sure you visit my website at www.sandygriffin.com and sign up for my free newsletter and teleclass.