On optimism

Optimism has the reputation for being naive and simple. As a born optimist, I think this is a shame. It's NOT easy to be optimistic, nor does being so make me simple. My optimism requires me to have faith in God, and having faith in God takes WORK. It requires me to have hope-hope that situations will work out for the best, hope that people will live up to their full potential. It requires me to stop looking at myself and my messes, and instead focus on God. Even when I am disappointed in other people, this gift of optimism (and yes, I DO think it's a gift) keeps me believing in them, because Christ does. (it doesn't keep me from the disappointment, but it does keep me hoping)

I have been accused of naivete in this, but I believe this is unfair. To blindly wish for things that are not, or cannot be so, IS naive. However, to hope for the best to come out of situations, regardless of circumstances, is not naive, but a display of my faith that God cares about us infinitely. He cares about what happens to us, and about the choices we make. And regardless of how ignorant or just plain assinine our choices may be, He always offers us the opportunity to redeem things. Not that we can fix it, but that He can do so IN us. Isn't God amazing? No really-not just "God is great", but think about it-God is AMAZING-to love us to the point of repetitive forgiveness, despite our failings. I love what Stormie Omartian says in Just Enough Light for the Step I'm on...

"No matter how far away from God you've gone,

when you surrender your life to the Lord,

a path is carved from where you are to

where you are supposed to be, and He puts you on it."

And later, she goes on to say,

"It doesn't matter what your situation is

at this moment. Wherever you are,

God has a path for you that is filled with good things....

He promises He won't let you fall."

So, no matter what disappointments come my way, or stupid things I do, I have to believe that God is working things for best in me and in those I love. If I don't have this to believe in, I have nothing, and life is dark, indeed. Thanks to Christ's redemption (saving me from myself, and my navel-gazing nature), I can live in a state of "optimism", and wake up daily with faith in God's purpose and love for me.