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I totally believe this. In “The Hiding Place” by Corrie Ten Boom there’s a scene where she and her sister read the scripture about giving thanks for all things. That’s tough for Corrie because at the time they’re in a prisoner of war camp and their room is infested with fleas. But it turns out the fleas are what keep the guards away, allowing Corrie and her sister to hold prayer meetings which encourage the other women. That pops in my head every time something “bad” happens and helps me adjust my focus.
This is wisdom that comes with age. Not sure any of us got this as young women, but we sure do, now.
That was beautifully said, Carol.And so very true. For everything, there is a season, and I truly believe that as well. If the lessons came earlier, at a time we weren’t ready to face them, they would be lost to us.
So right. Oh, and Ryder, PS: “Seth? Really? So cool!”
There is a saying carol my father had told me first – “tell me not life is a dream in mournful days.” You remind me this and your words are very true.
Your father was very poetic, Puneet!
Carol – I have always believed that everything that’s been placed in my path has been placed there in order for me to learn a specific lesson. As long as I keep that in my heart, all events become learning ones, and so are easier to accept and work through. During my breast cancer experience, I learned so much about my life, my family, my friends. The experience, although frightening, has enhanced my life tremendously and taught me several very profound lessons. You and I seem to have very similar ways of approaching life, this particular post really resonated with me this morning.
I hear that a lot from people who have been ill….I think it’s a great attitude and a model for the rest of us. Yep, we do seem to be alike in important ways!
I love Barbara’s example of Corrie Ten Boom…so many great lessons in her story. I believe that everything that comes my way filters through the hand of God. This is why I live one day at time as He teaches in Scripture, and why I pray without ceasing. His grace is sufficient for whatever comes my way. This earth is not my forever home.
Pam, I couldn’t agree more. The Divine is responsible for all of it.
Great post! I agree. Definitely a Biblical concept. Short. Succinct. Well written
Thank you, Ken.
Sometimes the way divine time unfolds makes me angry because I love to be in control. But once I get over myself I can usually sit back and say: “Wow. Thank you!” But it’s not easy to let go of our expectations and desires for what we think our life should look like and who should be joining us for the ride. Thanks for posting this.
I’ve had that same anger, I so get it, Laura.
ohh surely we all are learning, that is how life is
If we are paying attention!
ohh surely we all are learning, life’s lessons
I used to think there was a reason.
Now, mostly, I think that crap happens, but God is still there, loving you, wanting to walk with you, through it.
So, maybe that’s my lesson.
Sometimes it takes time to see the reason. That’s been my experience. Kierkegaard said “we live our lives forward but we only understand them backwards” (or something like that) and I have found that to be true. The hand of the Divine is in EVERYTHING.
“The how is the domain of the universe” was written in white letters across a big brown wall in a space that was my own little room in Colorado. I’ve seen this happen so many times that I know it’s true. This echoes to me what you’re expressing here so well. The universe knows. So I suppose really, the how and the when are the domain of the universe. And infinite patience with things/desires/hopes/intentions brings immediate results because we’re content and at peace with what is.
I’m so much more patient now than I ever was.
I’ve seen this time and again in my life. It often takes distance and perspective to find the lesson, but it is there. Hard to remember sometimes though.
Sure can be.
I too believe eveything happens for a purpose. Some lessons are harder to discover than others but I’m sure they are there.
I believe all things are clear in the fullness of time.
I’m a firm believer in things happening for a reason–there are no coincidences in life. Without challenges, we would never learn.
I try to tell young people that. But of course, it is difficult for them to hear.
Totally agree with Marcia! Everything happens for a reason!
The Divine has perfect timing. Always.
Beautifully written! Yes there is a perfect time and there is a purpose behind everything that happens to us.
I never got this till my early 50s.
It’s difficult sometimes when we’re in the moment — particularly when they are bad moments — to know that we are exactly where we are supposed to be, but we are.
Thanks for reminding me 🙂
Bad moments are hard to rationalize. They are.
For someone who is not at all religious, I go back and forth between believing in free will and fate and figure there is probably a mixture of both.
But one thing I am sure of is that when things are bad they will always get better. However, when things are going great, that usually doesn’t last either. There are always going to be ups and downs, so be prepared.
As they say, the only constant is change.
Carol looking back I totally believe that the toughest moments in my life have brought me the biggest gifts. I also find that this mindset makes me a much happier person. Thank you for a lovely post!
I think you are so right on about the mindset! Thanks for stopping by!
Couldn’t agree more, especially during my life after 50.
I totally believe this, although it’s sometimes hard to remember.
Sometimes I would enjoy having a little more choice. I don’t think I would change too many things in my life though. They would affect other things that I wouldn’t want to change.
I managed to reach 75 without thinking much about these things. But as I spend alot of time on Fb, I see so many inspirational posts and everyone seems to love them. I started posting a morning inspiration and the funny thing is, I am speaking to myself as it sets me up for the day. Now, I’m being drawn to others who have done deep spiritual work. I liked reading this blog. I wouldn’t have months ago. Maybe things do come to us when ready to receive. Who really knows.
It’s hard to escape wanting to know more about the meaning of life. I’m very glad you stopped by and hope you will again. It’s not always inspiration in the traditional sense. But always meant to provoke thought. I’m glad to “meet you”!
I always look for the lesson, but I’ve struggled with the two biggies: the 1991 fire and my first-born’s tough beginning in life. What was the reason 25 people lost their lives and 3000 lost their homes and neighborhoods? Did we all learn the same lesson–the survivors and those who were spared? I’ll never know. I can point to several lessons that came from having a baby in intensive care for 4 months. I think once you’ve been tested, by necessity you seek the reasons why…and it’s not always easy to figure out. We need to feel that things happen for a reason or be overwhelmed by the randomness of it all.
When I was 16, my mother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. My father looked at this time with her as a privilege – he cared for her each and every day, with grace, good humor and love. It was inspiring. His take away was he was meant to live his life in service to his family. There was nothing more important to him.