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When Life's Got You Down
An old woman's example inspires a younger man to change his thinking.
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We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair...
—2 CORINTHIANS 4:8
REFLECT
Mrs. Scarpa sat in the same spot in the same pew for years. Up until a few years ago, her husband had come with her. Now she came alone, her eyes often swimming in sadness.
This Sunday, as she came up to greet me, I winked at her, grinned and asked, “Where’d you get that pretty red hat?”
She chuckled, patting it fondly. “My husband bought it for me. Told me that in those terrible days of World War II, this red hat was to keep my spirits up.
“A couple of months ago I got it down and dusted it off, and I’ve decided to wear it again. Every time the world gets me down, I’m putting on this red hat!”
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Perhaps you, too, need a “red hat.” Find yours, dust it off and get on with life. When you do, you, too, will discover that “we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
PRAY
Lord, I know that in the grand scheme of things, and compared to a lot of other folks, life’s not so bad for me. I’ve just been a little down. This story was just the attitude-adjuster I needed. Thank You, Lord. I’m ready to get on with life.
DO
You may have another “red hat” of your own from the past, something that made you smile. Pull it out and dust it off.
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Excerpted from Time Out for the Spirit ©2010 by Guideposts. All rights reserved.
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Your Comments
Whenever I read of a man who has tired of his marriage and leaves his wife and multiple children and takes up residence with another woman and sits at that breakfast table looking at the faces of HER children, I wonder what joy could there be since those new faces do not consider him their father. The sadness he creates at his former home where his children look into the face of their mother and know that their father has chosen to be with the children of his new wife.
Yet it happens often. Soon the conflict with the "new kids" creates a division with his new hot wife....then he looks back at the lives he has destroyed and what happens? He ends up with nothing. Often he "can't go back" and he is unwanted by the "fling" wife. Why can't men and yes, sometimes the scenario is that the wife has the fling....realize that sometimes what we want now, is the very situation that can't last.
Sad. No....this is not my story. It is, however, the story of a few friends who I am sad to say, say to me now...you were right. I just should have tried to re-kindle what I had.
It's all about Respect... Whether it be to an older lady,young lady, olde man young lad or man always have respect for one another....
I've just read the article and all the heartfelt comments. I wanted to address a few of the writers.... Carol and Laura - I'm sorry for your losses. It does get better al-though it doesn't seem like it now.Give yourself permission to be sad or cry but also remember the good times.God loves you and hears your prayers. Emmajane - Your positive outlook put a smile on my face ! It definitely can feel overwhelming when you are caring for a loved one. The important thing...taking care of you, too ! May God Bless you. LT - What a lovely idea ! Although my " red hat " is a red cardigan sweater, My family knows I plan on making it a good day when I put it on, despite any negative situation. And finally, Carolyn and Fleur - This is what Guideposts is all about ! People sharing and inspiring others...I also have many old Guideposts that have been shared by many family members, brought to waiting rooms and some that I've saved for rereading.Best wishes on connecting !! Love and prayers to all, "Old " Diana
Why must we all be so sensitive and "politically correct".
I do not consider being called an old woman an insult. In fact I am happy the Lord has given me enough years to be called "old".
If we would concentrate more on the message of this story and less on "propiety" we would find the blessing in it.
We all get "down in the dumps" at times; lets be thankful for Red Hat days.
May God continue to lift our spirits to His glory.
Wow, do i ever need a "red hat." Recently my last child (the baby of six) just left for the Navy so I am home alone, as me & his father divorced 4 yrs ago after 17 yrs of marriage & he remarried. It is a scary awakening as the last child leaves home & old age is fastly gaining on you. I am 59 yrs old & in a job that is suffocating me, as I can't leave due to the down employment/economy so I am stuck between a rock & a hard place: can't quit 'cause there's nothing to quit & move on to to make the same salary. A lot of people who have worked here for 15 to 20+ yrs here are mean, disgruntled & just plain hard to get along with; there is a lot of tension & dissention in the air here & the morale is soooo low as there have been a lot of layoffs & positions eliminated for the last 3 yrs. I work for the City of St Louis and we have not had a decent raise in years and have been forced to take furloughs for 2 yrs straight with last year off & it's rumored that we will have to do furloughs again later on this year. It doesn't look like I will be able to retire at my retirement age of 62 & that I will have to work until I'm 70 & this is so frustrating & sickening to me. It's a struggle just trying to keep going. I need a big red floppy hat like the one Dr. Seuss wears to help with me with my doldrums.
Dear Cynthia,
I pray the good Lord will give you the biggest, prettiest red had you ever saw, thatyou will have a brighter outlook, and be able to count your blessings.Be glad you have 6 children to love, I have four, thought thatwas plenty at the time, now almost wish I had more. Remember the Lord does not leave or forsake His own. Just keep praying and holding on to hope. God loves you, and I sent up a prayer for you. In Christ, Barb
I am at the age very close to retiring and I am finding it hard each day to push myself to work...I love my job and once there I make the best of it because I know it won't be long before I finish working...I am not considered old yet, however I feel old people have earned that special title and its nothing to be ashamed of....just think what they have been through to get where they are...love the story about the "red hat"
I am one of those whose strokes seizures and much other could bring this 57 yo dude down but since i forgot most of (even the i had in the bathroom 2 wweelks ago. I eed to stop skinved tgse 12 pilss ase takesig effect Goodnnert and Gos Boless
My red hat is about having a job I go to everyday and knowing I am appreciated a little more. I have been interviewing to get out of my position I am in but now when i look back at it now that the Lord puts you in places for a reason. I just need to sit and be patient a little more. My red hat is to learn to be a little more patient and wait upon the Lord and his timing. It is not for me to say when but his and his alone. Learning to adjust my attitude and to rely more upon the Lord is the feather in the red hat. Thank you for sharing this story
I really needed the red hat right now and a serious inward attitude change . I was truly feeling like it was over for me but thank God for his people share to help others.
I really needed the red hat right now and a serious inward attitude change . I was truly feeling like it was over for me but thank God for his people share to help others.
You guys lighten up about the old thing. If she was from the WW11 era she was old.
I am old and am not offended. Get a grip on your life and enjoy what God has given you...a long life and the priviledge to be "old". Cancer survivor and "old"...
I hope Guideposts reads this-- I think you should not write old woman or old man; you should write it as "older" woman or man. RE: red hat
I agree with a previous comment; the story about a woman with a red hat should not say old/young woman. I feel that categorizes others and just say "woman" so many more people will realte to it.
I was feeling the same way, but found a great old book of Norman Vincent Peale's which has given me my zest for life back and has reminded me I am not alone. It is "Stay Alive for Life". I have found that a lot of people my age [60's] are going through very similar experiences and it is what I gave out as presents for Christmas. The feedback is so amazing. He is such an incredible writer and man....and I thank God for him and the way he can give advice.
I, too have my "red hat". I was the caretaker for my saintly mother, and have been very lonely since she passed away. Being without a job has complicated matters. However, sometimes I sit with her scarf in my lap, filling my nostrils with her scent, and I know that she is waiting for me in Heaven. I pray that I will soon find a job writing or editing, but I praise God that I left my business to spend two glorious years caring for the sweetest woman I have ever known.
Ijust joined a Red Hat group of ladies over 55. We have fun together, laugh, pray and are there for on one another. If times are good, we laugh. If times are bad we cry with and for each other.
This was just what I needed today. My husband passed away last year and it has been so hard to get back into living again because of the loneliness and sadness. We were married for 57 years and I feel that part of me is gone. He was my best friend. This encourages me to get up and go on living. I will see him again in heaven. Thanks for sharing this!!!
Hi Carol,
I know just that feeling. I too lost my partner of twenty years just two months ago. It is still so hard for me to want to get out of bed and do anything. I keep reminding myself that we will meet again.
I am in so much pain still. I am responsible for keeping a roof of the head of others and that is what keeps me living.. Trying to have faith that God knows what He is doing and has a plan in place.
Sang adages that we both find peace.
Laura
It's been almost 3 years since arsonists, who intended to kill us when they burned our home to the ground. Some days it's so hard, I just find myself asking in my head, "Why"? Part of what is worst about that fire is knowing someone truly wanted my husband and me dead. Yet, I continue to be thankful that we both got out alive, and he was able to get our dog out. Looking at her, and him, help me tremendously. We were both already aged 65, retired, and only had good friends, that we knew of. The authorities were not able to even point to who might have done it, nor could we come up with any possible suspects.
The good news is that God sent His angel to wake me 5 minutes before the fire was started, and my husband, our dog Hannah, and I did make it out alive. Also we had insurance to help recoup enough that we can live without tremendous expense, and were able to move back to the only place on earth where we have felt was really *home* for us. The pain of losing everything we'd had from our parents, and grandparents, as well as everything we'd accrued over 65+ years, does still get me down at times. It hurts to think that someone could hate us, without knowing us, enough to want us dead. I no longer have anything from before, to consider my 'red hat', but slowly we are healing. We are getting by with our faith that God is not finished with us yet.
This was just what I needed this morning. I have been feeling a little over welmed as my husband is a semi-invalid. It seems there is so much for me to do that he was able do before. I'll get my "red hat" out and dust it off.
There are many worse off than me. Thanks to God for all we have.
Just what I needed this morning. I have been in a slump the last few days - I know my turnaround is just around the corner but it's getting to that corner that is the struggle. I will look for my "red hat" to wear, I will put it on as I continue my walk to that corner of my turnaround! See, I am smiling already, Thanks for the uplifting story!
I have a special sparkly scarf I wear when I am down or need extra special courage. All my friends and family know that my thought process for the the sparkly scarf is, "No matter what happens today, it will be awesome! Because how can a day be bad if you are wearing a sparkly scarf?!" I've had many comments on my scarf- it is a real eye catcher and I'll quickly explain my thinking to them. Never once has the person asking reacted negatively, but most often has a reply along the lines of "wow, I need something like that". So, I'm doing well today and don't need my sparkly scarf but may put it on anyhow. Today may be the day someone else needs me to wear it and hear my story. ~Blessings to all~
Spiritual resources and motivation is the best antidote to
avoid ruminating and ocassional pity parties which quite often takes the wind out of our sails. A change in routine
from boredom to variety, rejuvenates the senses, to allow us to breathe a lot easier.
Readings from Guideposts helps many troubled situations turn into praise and thanksgiving to God. It has done more good in this world than we can imagine. Only God knows just how much good and in eternity, I hope to share with all those who have kept these publications going. I was going through an old chest last week and found the publications dating back to the 1970s. I can't bear to throw them away and they are as relevant today as they were when written. Besdes we forget and it makes them worth rereading. Is there a place we can send these to people who cannot get them for themselves? Keep up the good work and keep Guideposts going as long as the earth stands.
Hi Carolyn!
I would love to have your collection of old guidepost magazines and I think they could be of great benefit to our work here in Croatia (Former Yugoslavia).
There are many English students who would appreciate more reading material and why not give them positive input which can help them shape their lives in the same time?
I know it's not next door... but perhaps between help from neighbors or from a local church it could get sent to us? I'll give you our website page so you can see what we do. It's www.promijenisvijet.org or in English http://change-your-world.org
Thank you for considering!
And mostly may God bless you for wanting to share your wealth of publications with others! Whoever you give it to I think it's kind of you to want to share.
Best regards,
Fleur
"Suit up and show up".
Sort of reminds me of the old saying... "Suit up and show up for life".
Getting dressed up when I don't
need to helps me.
I just sent you an e-mail and miss-spelled "relate". Tech. urges you to act as a machine, go fast and not make mistakes, but we are not machines and make mistakes.
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