Just a Thought

"Everything happens for a reason." 
I wonder why people say this...is it because they believe it or they don't know what else to say?
..."everything" is a pretty powerful word. 

I think things happen in life because of our own "free will".  The free will given to us by God.  He allows us to make our own choices.  I believe that bad things happen because of sin.  I do not think that everything can be explained or summed up by assuming that this or that happened for a reason. 

I think that we can learn life lessons through our experiences (tragic ones as well), gain strength, and that events 'lead' us to where we are.  I believe that God already knows the choices we've made in life and he can see the big picture.  Maybe due to our choices, those of others, or uncontrollable events like illness/disease (due to sin), God plants people or things in our path.  Maybe...it's hard to explain or imagine.  I mean, he has always (one of those big words) known what our course in life will be...it's all too big to wrap my brain around.

Is there a point you ask?  Nope.  Just thinking and typing...  Just saying that I don't think everything happens for a reason.  It's not like we would tell a child that was beaten by his/her alcoholic parent that it happened to them for a reason...see what I mean?  It happened because the world and it's people are sinful...right?  Really, I'm asking you...is that right?  I think so...

I know that if you really think about it, this is a complicated topic with lots of twists and turns.  But I don't really have the time to get into it...I do have a three year old running around (you know).  YES, you heard me right...he is 3 now.  I'll blog about his birthday later in the week!

So enough about that...just putting it out there.
(Before I head out, let me just say one more thing.  I think there is a difference between "everything happens for a reason" and events leading us down a particular path.  For example, that child beaten by the alcoholic parent may never have become an adult drug addict if he hadn't been abused as a child.  Or that child may never have become a social worker trying to save children from abuse.  Does that make sense? )