The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

I just wrote about this, but something else just came to mind regarding the cliche - laziness. Whenever something bad happens or whenever facing a challenge, some may utter this line - "Well, you know, everything happens for a reason." This isn't a call to action. It's, "Don't give up. Stay the course, let the chips fall where they may and let God decide." Yup, that's it. Instead of trying to do something about the problem which is staring one in the face, just don't worry about it, for it's happening for a definite reason. The abuse that child suffered? No need to fret. It happened for a reason. Don't press charges to try and put the perpetrator in jail. Don't seek counseling. It'll be for the better in the end. The individual whom was killed by a drunk driver? It happened for a reason. They're in a better place now and you will be with them again when you too shall pass. There's really no need to fight against drun...

How I'm so sick of hearing this tired cliche. I just overheard it this past Tuesday when I was out and about with some friends. A buddy of mine and I heard the very sad story about a guy's mother whom died from cancer at 39 years of age. He was only 9 at the time, I believe he said. He was then told, "Everything happens for a reason." That was followed up with a statement that I believe to be true, that if we don't believe that things happen for a reason, that tragic incidents are a result of God's plan, then it may drive us crazy. It's much easier to accept things as are if we believe these very unfortunate events were meant to be. I agree with that latter portion there and due to that, I wish I believed everything happened for a reason. I could stop questioning why certain things happened and just accept things as they occur. However, I can't for the life of me believe that. Rape. What would the reason be behind a person being violently forced to h...

Have you ever been talking to someone about a problem in your life and all they come back with is, "Well, you know, everything happens for a reason"? They'll say that or "You know, God has a plan for you." It reminds me of what a fortune cookie might read or what one's horoscope might say on a particular day. It's like a cop-out line in any conversation where a problem appears. Someone could be watching "The Young and the Restless" while listening to this problem and when their friend stops talking, even without hearing 86% of what was said, they can come back with, "Well, you know, everything happens for a reason" or "God has a plan for you." Now, I'll be honest, I used to think this quote was truthful, that everything did in fact happen for a reason. I also think it's probably a healthy way to look at things. If someone can just look at everything in life and say to themselves, "Well, I don't know why ...