From Maia Mikhaluk in Kyiv (545th day): I found this quote on a friend’s FB page: “If a person has lived through war, poverty, and love, he has lived a full life” (O. Henry). I am not sure I agree. Yes, living through war certainly makes you appreciate life on a whole new level, crystalizes your values, and makes you want to spend more time with loved ones.
But war is not a part of God’s design, rather it is the ultimate result of sin. I would think the fullness of life is measured by how closely it reflects God’s original plan for us. I would modify O.Henry’s quote to “If a person has faith, hope and love, he lives a full life.” The circumstances might be changing. But if you have faith, hope and love, you can experience the fullness of life amid war, or without them, you can be miserable while vacationing in the Maldives.
Voice of Ukraine 
One response to “8/23/2023 – But war is not a part of God’s design, rather it is the ultimate result of sin…”
Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
in every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
to guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul; when dearest friends depart,
and all is darkened in the veil of tears,
then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
from His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul; the hour is hast’ning on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
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