Today I got a fundraising letter from a retreat center where we occasionally stay. It included a story about a minister who visits nursing homes. The elderly there fell into two camps. After years of living and remembering their stories, they were either very grateful or very bitter.

The grateful ones had often suffered much in their lives, maybe even more than the bitter ones. But somehow they had risen above their trials. The bitter people, on the other hand, had spent so long "sucking lemons" that they drove others away.

So it made me wonder. I've had my fair share of difficulties in life -certainly as much as anyone else. But how am I doing at overcoming it? Am I able to put sorrow behind me and refocus my life on the good things? The story says it's all about love. The grateful ones love and are loved. The bitter ones just suck lemons. Which are you?

Tags: Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Growth, Christian Living