another fiery rant........Please Don't continued...

Some time ago I wrote, and posted, about many of the things people say that are meant to be helpful, but for me were not.

I forgot one.

I’ve seen it all over social media, and while not directed to me personally, it makes me more and more angry every time I see it.  Because, for me, it is simply not true. I normally don’t respond to what I consider to be inane nonsense on social media – but this time I can’t be quiet.

If what I have to say offends you, well, suck it up buttercup, I’m getting to old to keep my mouth shut.

“Everything happens for a reason.”    Seriously?

What is the ‘reason’ that a young child lays in a hospital bed for weeks on end because a distracted truck drive didn’t see him? What lesson is to be earned and by whom?

What is the ‘reason’ when a sister, friend, parent, child dies by their own hand? What lesson is to be learned and by whom?

What is the ‘reason’ for the devastation and deaths in California or Montana or Puerto Rico or the Gulf Coast? What lesson is to be learned and by whom?

What is the ‘reason’ my husband, and others, die, suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving grief in their wake? What lesson is to be learned and by whom?

What is the ‘reason’ for a terminal illness at a young age, leaving families financially and emotionally and even spiritually, devastated? What lesson is to be learned and by whom?

Seriously – what is the reason?

As human beings, capable of logic and analytical thinking, (well, most of us and most of the time) we tend to want to know that what happens to us has meaning. That life has a point to it -  even events that are painful. But finding meaning in the events of our lives and saying that things happen for a reason are two different things.

I do not believe that we have a God that purposely causes tragic events to happen in order to teach us something. That’s cruel.

I do not believe that we have a God that purposely causes wonderful events to happen in order to teach us something.  That’s cruel.

Can people be caring and compassionate in the midst of tragedy and loss? Yes – and often.  Can people be selfless and loving to their neighbor in the midst of devastation and despair? Yes – of course.

But that is not the same as saying that everything happens for a reason.

Because, at least in my world view, that is simply not true.

So, I will add this to the ‘Please Don’t…’

Please don’t tell me that everything happens for a reason – because it doesn’t.