Character

Life has its ups and downs. In the end I think they must be about equal, but we certainly tend to dwell upon the downs. Some of those dark periods are mild. However, life throws us some real zingers from time to time and we often catch ourselves asking the big "why" questions. When great tragedy besets us, the answers to our whys can often be elusive. Nonetheless, good can come of almost any situation and, even though we can’t necessarily explain misfortune, we can certainly choose our response ... and grow through it. I have watched some folks endure dreadful circumstances which no one could ever wish upon another. Yet, I have also seen some beautiful results in the character and disposition of those who have come through the darkness in their lives. Do the ends justify the means? Often the means are not of our choosing, but we do have the opportunity to make the most of the ends. I am reminded of the first chapter of James where the New Testament writer exhorts us, "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything." (NLT) Which brings us to today’s literary offering, entitled Character. Sometimes life can be overwhelming, but once we get through those dark times we are almost always better people because of them. Let us, therefore, forge courageously onward.

Character
We've heard that good things come to those
who wait upon the Lord
But when tides turn against us
they are not easily ignored
We grow accustomed to our comfort
and we seem so self-assured
That when the walls of comfort crumble
it's not easily endured
We know that character is strengthened
as we brave the storms of life
But at what price are we willing
to build character through strife
How much agony is bearable
even by the stout of heart
Before our spirits wither
and our faith is ripped apart
When clouds of doubt descend
on us it gets difficult to see
The threads of hope we cling to
amidst our adversity
We are humbled by misfortune
we, who once were so esteemed
As we stumble under burdens
such as we never would have dreamed
Broken promises and contracts
rain down on us like hail stones
Broken hearts and homes and pride
chill us to our weary bones
And there, beneath the pile
crushed by the weight of what we've lost
With nothing left but character
we learn to pay the cost
We learn to grope through darkness
and to toil in the heat
We learn that character is found
just inches from defeat
Where fools and fortune hunters
wither in the barren ground
But the wise man grows in character
and fights back with strength new found
For any man can prosper
when his luck is running high
But it takes a man of character
to forge ahead when luck runs dry
To praise God instead of cursing
in the midst of trial and strife
To resist the lure of compromise
when he's fighting for his life
Our fate and circumstances
are not always ours to choose
Yet, in our own response to these
is where we win or lose
When the levy breaks and each man
finds the flood surrounding him
Some men are simply swept away
but others learn to swim
And there, within the waters
swirling in the trials of life
There is a boat called character
which offers buoyancy in strife
When at last the waters do recede
as it seems they always do
Comes the time for our reflection
on the ordeal we've been through
And those who boldly held their ground
who kept their deeds and motives pure
Will find, new forged within their hearts
the priceless gift of character
By Frank Carpenter ©