Change What You Can

          I once visited a friend of mine -- her name was Cecille -- anyway, she was in a nursing home and was feeling depressed about conditions there.  When I wheeled into her room, I could see the discouragement on her face.  I could also see a plaque over her bed.  This is what the plaque read: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

            I asked Cecille a few questions to help her open up.  And she replied, "Well, Joni, you wouldn't believe the rotten care I receive.  These people aren't tending to my problems and the nurses don't turn me properly at night."

            After a while, it was my turn.  So, I suggested ideas such as her and me going to the nursing supervisor together and talking it out.  She didn't like her mattress; I said we could easily raise money to purchase a better mattress for her. I suggested we write a letter to the nurse's council, or how about posting a notice over your bed stating clearly how you wanted to be turned at night.  We could confront her doctor with a second opinion on her health problems.  We could get her family more involved.  I mean there were lots of possibilities.  Lots of things we could do!

            But with every suggestion, Cecille shook her head "no."  After hearing about thirty minutes of excuses, I decided to talk straight.  I motioned to the plaque and said, "Cecille, you know in the last six months here in this nursing facility you've been doing a great job of accepting the things you cannot change.  You've been in this bed and stuck it out without causing a ruckus.  But now you need more work on the second part of that prayer.  You, Cecille, need courage to change the things you can."  I like that, because what it says to me, is that there's great honor in embracing a situation as it is, but remember some things can be changed and some things should be changed. 

            And that's why I'm telling you this story about Cecille today, on the 4^th of July.  I mean we could be like her and just look at the way things are in our country and sit slump-shouldered.  We could complain.  We could do nothing.  But I'm convinced there are many things which can and should be changed in our culture and in our American society.  It begins with prayer... it also begins with looking around at your own community, your own town and asking the Lord where He wants you to make a difference.  It could very well be at a nearby nursing home.  Maybe the Lord wants you to get involved on your school board, or on your Neighborhood Watch committee, or serving with your church among the homeless, or volunteering at a local shelter, helping at a Christian school, lending a hand at your local library.  There are all sorts of ways you can make a difference.  So let's not complain about the way things are in our cities and let's not complain because our country is in such a sad state.  Hey, friend, this is the 4th of July, so ask God to give you wisdom so that you can make a change and make a difference.

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