Have You Lost Faith In Humanity?

First, let me begin by saying, with heartfelt sincerity, that I have SO much to be thankful for. Just to get up in the morning and greet a new day means the world to me.

However, I am human, and I sometimes get discouraged with all the negativity that surfaces on this planet. Examples are: complacency, rudeness, mediocrity, vulgar song lyrics, child abuse, animal cruelty, murder, domestic violence and hatred -as manifested on the news, internet, in violent movies and television shows.

It is during these times I often question if there is any goodness left in our world? I believe that answer came to me last fall during my morning walk.

It was early November, and the air was clean and brisk. I was circling a church parking lot and enjoying steaming hot coffee in my thermos. Daylight was slowly approaching. Suddenly I stopped. Underneath one of the parking lot lights, I spotted a man in a hooded sweatshirt on his knees, praying. He had his dog with him, who stood, statuesque, patiently waiting for his master.

I stood there in awe. The sight of that man on his knees confirmed to me that God IS in control of everything. I truly believe I was meant to be there to witness that moment in time. I then recalled a recent event I had been following on the news: The miners who were trapped over a mile under the earth in Chile. I had been praying for them for weeks while multitudes of people cared so much that they spent hours and hours contributing to their rescue. Every man was saved.

Although I keep a list of all the things I am thankful for, I think I am most grateful for having seen that man in prayer.

Since that day, I have seen him two more times during my walk. Each time I whisper my own personal request that this man's prayers will be answered.

It is simple moments like these that always restore my faith in humanity. I truly believe in my heart that although there is evil on this earth, there are many, many good, kind and wonderful people. These are the things I need to focus on.

I thank God for that encounter in the parking lot with an unknown man whom I refer to as "The Prayer Guy."

Blessings, Sparklea :)