The Serenity Prayer opens with, “… help me accept the things I cannot change…”

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result each time.” (Heard in a 12 Step Meeting.)

In the Hebrew Scriptures, the book of Job is a study of what can happen to innocent people caught up in events they have no control over. The Lord and Satan got into a discussion of Job. The Lord said Job was “blameless and faithful.” Satan countered by saying he was that way because the Lord protected him and gave him great wealth. So, to prove Job was as advertised, the Lord gave Satan permission to do anything to Job he wanted to except kill him. In the process of throwing plagues at Job, his 7 sons, 3 daughters and most of his servants are killed. They are mentioned in the first chapter and never heard from again.

In Ukraine, a man who is determined to restore his idea of Russian past greatness has turned his dream into a nightmare. Hundreds of innocent women and children have been deliberately killed in a pursuit of power and control.

Roe v. Wade is back in the news as the battle over who controls the fate of women who find themselves with an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy has resumed. An honest discussion of what is life and when it begins has been lost in the struggle for power and control. It appears as if decision makers on both side of the debate no longer consider the welfare of those involved in their desire to win whatever the cost.

What is the point of this posting? Nothing profound. When people decide they have all the answers; when they are certain they know right from wrong; when compromise becomes a bad word; when everything is black and white with no room for shades of gray; be prepared for a struggle where no one wins the final outcome and there may be much collateral damage. At such times, I have the Serenity Prayer to offer consolation.

Finally, desiring serenity doesn’t mean becoming a doormat. Bad behavior has consequences, and we should ensure those deserving receive those consequences in full measure. But I must be sure my reactions are appropriate and do not make the situation worse. But that discussion must wait for another time.