How Does This Thing Work

Have you ever wondered how people who have had unfair negative life events can go on with their lives? I often do. It is difficult to imagine being handed a life like those of some Haitians, then, on top of poverty, hunger, disease, lack of education, and abuse, you get an earthquake piled on top of you. How does that work for people? Do they run back to church and pray that God doesn’t hurt them further? On the other hand, is it God that has anything to do with such things?

My brother died in 2004, my best friend in 2006, and my father in 2009. These are pretty life altering events. However, I did not lose everything. I did not need to lie down and die, myself. I grieved, and still do. Sadness pervades some moments in my life, but overall, I am a happy person and glad to be alive.

I have put myself in the place of people in Haiti, or people with terminal diseases who have had other unfair major life events occur. How do they go on living? Would you not want to just lie down and let the earth swallow you up?
Whom do you blame? Whom do you forgive? It seems as if we all have to have a finger to point; it makes us feel better…then, of course, there is the matter of forgiveness. I forgive you, God. I forgive you, Who? What is there to forgive when a life altering disaster is caused by natural forces? How can anyone forgive that? So, if there is a God, why are the Haitians suffering so much and my fat ass is sitting in a new car eating cake and drinking Starbucks?
Am I ready to give up the Starbucks and everything else that I consider a luxury in my life? No, not really. Though I wonder why it is that some of us have so much, and some have nothing. Couldn’t there be something in-between?

Those are all questions I have no way of answering. I admit I have faith, and I believe in God most of the time. I would just love to know how this thing works, this life of ours…what are the forces that drive our fates? If you find out, let me know.