I am awake right now because our smoke alarm just went off. Lord only knows what did it: After we both woke up, shrieking and yelling, frantically flying from room to room, we discovered there was no smoke. No fire. No burning. And no problem - except, perhaps, for a rather confused smoke alarm.
I am awake right now because our smoke alarm just went off. Lord only knows what did it: After we both woke up, shrieking and yelling, frantically flying from room to room, we discovered there was no smoke. No fire. No burning. And no problem - except, perhaps, for a rather confused smoke alarm.
When we got it shut off and collapsed back down on the bed, the spectre of the fires a couple hours away looming large in my head, what came out of my mouth was, "Thank God." And I immediately thought of your piece. I pulled it right up.
You're right: This is problematic. I'd file it with the well-meaning but senseless saying about feeling humbled before someone else's troubles, "There but for the grace of God go I."
Don't the people experiencing whatever tragedy it is also deserve God's grace?
Linguistically, "Thank God we're OK" is something of a fixed phrase. I think some people do say it meaning, "I'm so glad we're OK" or "What a close call" - I'd like to think that's what I meant, myself - but then, those sentences are also available to say! We don't need to imply that we are more deserving of a lucky getaway than others just like us.
I am of the persuasion that we choose a life plan ahead of time with God that includes joy, tragedy, and mundanity, in order to learn lessons and develop a more empathetic character - to become more like God. But your explanation works well, too - and we both agree that God does not go around killing some and sparing others because some are inherently more worthy.
What a thoughtful piece, Peter! Thank you for this.
I am awake right now because our smoke alarm just went off. Lord only knows what did it: After we both woke up, shrieking and yelling, frantically flying from room to room, we discovered there was no smoke. No fire. No burning. And no problem - except, perhaps, for a rather confused smoke alarm.
When we got it shut off and collapsed back down on the bed, the spectre of the fires a couple hours away looming large in my head, what came out of my mouth was, "Thank God." And I immediately thought of your piece. I pulled it right up.
You're right: This is problematic. I'd file it with the well-meaning but senseless saying about feeling humbled before someone else's troubles, "There but for the grace of God go I."
Don't the people experiencing whatever tragedy it is also deserve God's grace?
Linguistically, "Thank God we're OK" is something of a fixed phrase. I think some people do say it meaning, "I'm so glad we're OK" or "What a close call" - I'd like to think that's what I meant, myself - but then, those sentences are also available to say! We don't need to imply that we are more deserving of a lucky getaway than others just like us.
I am of the persuasion that we choose a life plan ahead of time with God that includes joy, tragedy, and mundanity, in order to learn lessons and develop a more empathetic character - to become more like God. But your explanation works well, too - and we both agree that God does not go around killing some and sparing others because some are inherently more worthy.
What a thoughtful piece, Peter! Thank you for this.