Best Wishes

I recently learned through Facebook an old friend of mine from my elementary school days has cancer.

Before her surgery last week, she posted,

There is a time for every thing and a season for every activity under the heavens (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Time for you all to be praying! Thank you!

The comments and “likes” came pouring in.  I’m sure this friend, a wife and mother, who looks gorgeous, vibrant and exactly the same as I remember her, is buoyed by the well wishes, outpouring of love, offers of help, commitment to prayer and all those that said, “of course, have been praying ever since I heard the news.”  It was heartening to see – as an outsider who even remembers this friend as far back as first grade, when she and her brother brought their hamsters to school for show and tell.

I said a prayer for her, suspecting she’s probably scared about the surgery and about her future, but obviously has a strong network of supportive friends and a belief in God’s healing powers.  (It’s amazing the information you can find when you quickly scan someone’s Facebook page.)

Her post, the ensuing “likes,” and the sweet comments made me long to be someone who wishes everyone well… not just because they’re sick and headed into major surgery. I’m talking about the impatient driver who cut me off, the kid who sneers at my son every time they pass in the hallway and the gruff checkout lady who’d rather be on her break smoking.  Because what’s the opposite of well-wishing and blessing?

I think it’s called cursing.

Recently I heard of a “break-up” pool that’s going on at a friend’s office.  Everyone puts money in the pool and chooses ten celebrity couples they predict will break-up this year.  I understand these games are done in fun with no intent to harm and even with an eye for camaraderie in the workplace.  I also understand Hollywood stars don’t often stay married. However, the object of the game centers on someone’s demise and heartbreak. When I googled “break-up pools,” I found there are also “death pools.”  Many of those who had correctly “guessed” the death of “Amy Winehouse” (a gifted, yet very troubled musician) won their pools last year.  Why? Because in death pools, you receive more points for predicting a younger person’s death.  She was only 27.

So when Amy Winehouse passed away, did the people who had her on their death pool list cheer because her death was worth a whopping 73 points (a lot more than the 11 points Betty White’s death would have been worth had she passed last year at the age of 89)?

It just doesn’t seem right.

I pray for life, health, successful surgeries, marriages to stay strong and united for those I love and for those I don’t and even for the guy who cut me off (because he’s obviously too stressed and/or too angry for his own good).

How about you??  Will you try and join me in this quest?