To the editor:

“I’ve been sitting here thinking that things are a mess. I don’t think I’ve ever seen things in such a mess.” Those words began retired Baptist pastor Dr. Darryl E. Maxwell’s article in last Thursday’s Bulletin.

I read his words and I was amazed that he is only thinking about what’s wrong with our world. He had been a leader of a church congregation – did he not tell his flock how wonderful God is? Does he not wake up each morning to a beautiful sunrise and go to sleep at night under a peaceful starry sky? Does he not meet people every day who are happy with their lives, and to be alive and to be contributing to the joy in our free land?

Yes, there are plenty of ways we can make America even better. We have the right and responsibility to vote soon for whomever we think is the most competent person to become our next president. So many countries do not have that right. We have the responsibility to take care of our planet by recycling, bringing cloth bags to the supermarket instead of taking plastic bags that take years to disintegrate, eating non-GMO foods and insisting they be clearly labeled, and eating fresh food from local farms or organic food stores so we stay healthy.

Love Thy Neighbor also comes into making America a safer, happier place to live. Guns are fine, but only in the hands of those who use them responsibly. Religion is fine, but only if you respect your neighbor’s right to believe differently or not at all. Money is fine, but only if you are willing to share it with those in need, and to support good causes in your own community.

Dr. Maxwell concludes: “In the meantime, I’m going to go about my business confident that God’s in charge and will one day make things right.”

I can’t wait for that “one day” when God will do the work. He put us on this earth to be caretakers of His earth, and to Love One Another.

When “things” look like they are “a mess,” I believe that is God’s way of telling us – each of us – to get busy. We all have work to do – let’s get busy and DO God’s work on earth.

I think He’d be pleased…

~ Sandy Sammons, Tryon, N.C.