On this Good Friday, my hope is that you will take your eyes off the black dot, no matter how big it may seem and appreciate the reason this is called Good Friday.
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The Black Dot – Author Unknown
One day, a professor entered his classroom and asked his students to prepare for a surprise test. They all waited anxiously at their desks for the exam to begin.
The professor handed out the exams with the text facing down, as usual. Once he handed them all out, he asked the students to turn over the papers.
To everyone's surprise, there were no questions-just a black dot in the center of the paper. The professor, seeing the expression on everyone's faces, told them the following: "I want you to write about what you see there." The students, confused, got started on the inexplicable task.
At the end of the class, the professor took all the exams, and started reading each one of them out loud in front of all the students.
All of them, with no exception, defined the black dot, trying to explain its position in the center of the sheet. After all had been read, the classroom silent, the professor started to explain:
"I'm not going to grade you on this, I just wanted to give you something to think about. No one wrote about the white part of the paper. Everyone focused on the black dot - and the same thing happens in our lives. We insist on focusing only on the black dot - the health issues that bother us, the lack of money, the complicated relationship with a family member, the disappointment with a friend. The dark spots are very small when compared to everything we have in our lives, but they are the ones that pollute our minds. Take your the eyes away from the black dots in your lives. Enjoy each one of your blessings, each moment that life gives you.”
My thoughts: Where is your focus right now? Is it on the black dot of sickness around us that never seems like it will ever end? Or are your eyes on all the white space around us – the dedication and service of health care workers and other essential services, the kindness and caring of so many for their fellow man, the families spending quality time together, people slowing down and engaging in hobbies and appreciating the world around us. Even the opportunities to connect virtually when we can’t be with our loved ones.
I’ll leave you with two verses:
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Job 8:21 - He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Take care,
Carol
