Puffs

What’s next ? ? ?

That question seems to be on the mind of a lot of people this past week. And, I kind of wonder that myself at times.

You know, with the Russian war in Ukraine for the past year and a half; with the ongoing war of Islamic radicals everywhere; with the war started in Israel; and now with the fire in Sacred Heart Church in Lawrence . . . I get to thinking: “What’s Next”?

There is certainly plenty to think about, some of which I worry about and most all of it I try to pray about. (That latest thing, I’m not so good at.)

There have been plenty of times throughout history people must have thought the very same thing. Just in our lifetime we witnessed the end of WWII, experienced the Korean War, experienced the uncertainty of the Cold War, and watched the horror of 9-11 and many other untold experiences when we wondered “what’s next.”

I can’t speak about the reaction of people around the world, but here in the U. S. of America, it seemed after many incidents many Americans turned to their religion for some kind of answer.

However, if a person believes some of the national writers, this is not happening ‘as much’ as it used to happen.

I have no idea if that is true, but if it is, it does not surprise me. Consider:

• the further people get away from prayer and religion, • the more it happens, and • the more it happens, the more people get away from religion and prayer.

As a culture today, it seems we all demand to know “the cause and effect.” With prayer and religion that is often hard to know. It demands “faith” and I hope as a culture, we haven’t lost that ideal.

I’ve been trying to understand this fire that happened in Sacred Heart church, and just haven’t come up with an answer. I may be content with a comment I recently heard, and I understand it. That comment was: “at least we are not worrying about bombs exploding outside our homes day and night.”

Please consider prayer for peace as an answer to some of the confusion going on in our world. We are very fortunate here in America.

A O

What may have been loss in last week’s many “things to worry about” was an insert in this newspaper. The sheet listed differences between the Nebraska Democrat and Republican parties.

It’s an interesting little bit of information about the aims of our two leading political parties and worthwhile reading. I may have comments on it in future weeks.

A O

We had some bitter cold conditions early in 2023. The summer was bitterly hot. However, it seems autumn may be a little late but is arriving right on time.

As you worry about all the other conditions in the world . . . enjoy the autumn weather and colors.

A O