What a Difference a Kind Word Makes
There is much happy buzz about The Raving Atheist's becoming The Raving Theist. So I dropped by to check it out and left a brief comment expressing my gladness. I was amazed to receive a lovely reply, including some background on how I came to be a Saint of the Week. What pulled me up short in this note, besides the fact that I was remembered after all this time, was being told, "but you were so darned nice."

That couldn't have come at a better time. Ready to declare war on the USPS (and our postman in particular), the phone company, the dogs and various members of my family, I was feeling anything but nice. Surely surly would be more apt. Not particularly Christian, nor even civilized.

But taking a breather from one of my rants and checking my email brought a reminder that I was capable of a better, more honorable way of thinking. And that is one more blessing for which I am most grateful.