Trying to write a new reflection
by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
I use a laptop for all the important things in life: “bro Fred's Reflections”, in particular. It’s an older laptop (sometimes takes 10 minutes to load), you know, using Windows from Microsoft, an operating system I’ve begun to detest. Every time I sit down to prepare a reflection, I end up fiddling with the programs for half an hour before I even get one word on the screen, and then I’m so chagrined that I turn the thing off. Now, with AI, it’s even worse in some ways. You see, in order to prepare an essay for the website, I need to type it in “Word” first. I use WPS; overall, a good program, but the AI slows it down. Why AI? Suggestions for sentence structure and spelling are quick and effective. WPS is a great alternative to Microsoft Word, which is too expensive, and the program isn’t online. But today, I began at 3 PM, and WPS refused to start (don’t know why), reloaded the program, and then it gave me an error, but it started anyway. By the way, now it’s 4:40 PM; talk about a waste of time. People suggest, "Why not dictate the reflection?" That would invite different problems. Now, what was I going to write about? I forgot.
“Do everything without grumbling or questioning, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” Phil. 2:14-16.
Maybe that’s worth a thought in the present situation.
Jesus wants us to approach Him with the innocence of children. Sure, we say, but children can be innocent and glad because they don't carry the burden of adulthood and the complexities of life on their shoulders. Also, children love computers and become 'instant friends' with this new toy... but you see, my friends, if we offer our trials to Jesus and place our burdens at the foot of the Cross, and surrender totally to Jesus, then the complexities of life will no longer be a wall that separates us from our loving Master. Have you ever noticed that things go smoothly as long as we do this, but the minute we begin to doubt God's wisdom and try to re-engineer the problem, then things go wrong? When we're asked to help a friend with a severe problem, always pray on it first. With discernment, listen to that inner voice that leads us along the way of the Lord, because if you don't, then our counseling will be ineffective, and we will probably do more harm than good. But if we listen to the Word of the Lord, we are brought closer to Jesus through the realization that He loves us deeply, and He never says "no" to us when we come to Him in supplication. Prayer works... “If you ask anything of the Father in My Name, it shall be given to you...whatever you ask in My Name, I will do.” (John 16:23-24, 14:12-14).
Have a great day,
Peace and Good!
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
July 2, 2025