paooc vs. cartoc

peaceful acceptance of ones circumstances
versus
complacency and resignation to ones circumstances

this is my battle today and tomorrow.
While at starbucks (man I wish we had some other option for decent coffee and pleasant atmosphere) our Father led me to join in conversation with a young American preacher and some of his flock. They were beautiful people of peace and love. In them I found the beginnings of an answer to my question about war and peace in the scriptures of the old covenant. Thanks, You. (I'll take comments on this one, please)

Now listen here, y'all: let the prophet tell you a little sumthin 'bout the gray days-
Gray days are a gift. A gift to prepare you for your future. You must learn to say 'thank you' in these gray days, for they are for your training. If the 'thank you' is not spoken and the lesson is not learned, then it must be repeated. Not for everyone is it so. A careful training is necessary only for those who wish to serve Him well. Remember, He is with you.
Oh, yes.

resolve, resilience.

Have you ever smelled a compost pile? When I was a kid we had a vegetable garden and I started one last year, too. The compost pile is grass and leaves, a little sand and dirt, and all the egg shells, vegetable peelings, and "organic matter" you have to throw in. toss in handful of earth worms and let it rot, and you've got compost. After the sun has beat down on that stuff it turns pretty much into a reeking and steaming gunk pile. it's very disgusting but it makes the richest, most fertile, carbon filled soil, the perfect environment for new growth or to enrich and fortify the plants that have been growing.
I wont be so cheesy as to say when life gives you crap, compost it...I just think that God is bringing me to some sort of peace with where I am, and more importantly with who I am and who He is. I struggled seriously today, but He reminds me now that not only is it worth it, but I am worth it.
and you are too.

shalom.