Crazy World...Cockeyed

When Reuven was in the hospital, he met a boxer, Mr. Savo, who said in response to the war, that it is a "crazy world...cockeyed." Months later (in chapter 9, 173-174), Reuven recalls these words after he calls the father of the boy who was also next to him in the hospital and finds out that Billy's surgery was not successful-- the boy still cannot see. He had the best surgeon, but still he did not gain his sight. Reuven had the same surgeon, and even his scar tissue healed well.

Reuven wanders out to the porch, dwelling on Mr. Savo's words. He sees a motion to the side of his field of vision, but ignores it at first. Then, he notices a housefly caught in an intricate spider's web on one side of the porch.

How do we view this "cockeyed" world? Some might see God's providence. Others might see his permitting omniscience. Some may see no good in it at all. To most, it just does not make sense. This world is plain "cockeyed" and there seems to be little explanation for it. Even if we have an explanation for why it happens, that does not mean that this world makes sense. The events themselves still seem cockeyed, at times. In this world of suffering and "cockeyed" events, what is our response?

Reuven saw the fly struggling to free itself, only to get caught again. The spider who had spun the web was approaching to claim his prey. Reuven went over to the web and looked closer at the situation. He then blew at the web to destroy its hold on the fly, but it held fast. With one more hard burst of air, the web gave way and the fly was free.

Will we ignore what is happening in this world if it is not directly in front of us, or will we look closer? Do I choose to go and investigate, but then let happen? Or do I do what little I can to help those caught in the webs of self deceit, lies, oppression of any and various kinds, poverty, pain, illness....even if they may seem to be small and insignificant, yet, I can do something about it. In fact, I may be the only one who can, but it may escape my notice if I'm not paying attention.

Sometimes people who feel helpless about the world will do small things such as Reuven did to help themselves feel like they can really do something about the cockeyed world. These small acts such as helping a dog caught out in the rain, feeding the stray cat on the back porch, or donating a great number of coins to the bell ringer at the store door at Christmas time are important ways of redeeming what should not be. Especially with the last we can see how it helps other people, but we often get something more than modest pleasure in giving, don't we? It isn't necessarily wrong to do these things, they can be part of doing the small good things, as mentioned before. But can we do more? Are there parts of this cockeyed world which I ignore because I'm not willing to do more, perhaps as Reuven could have done, to call little Billy sooner in my busy schedule to encourage him before the chance passes me by to help someone in pain? What do I ignore, what do I investigate but leave alone, what do I give one try and then give up--if only I would have tried once more?
~ May we have a great doing time!