More than half full

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The other morning my three children woke up to less than one inch of snow. “A dusting,” I called it, peering over their heads into the backyard. They looked at the same scene and made a different assessment: “It’s enough to go sledding!”

I like to think of myself as a glass-half-full guy. But a dusting is still dusting.

Earlier that week, I had read a piece in the New York Times on Amy Schneider, the recent winner of 40 consecutive contests on the game show “Jeopardy!” That’s the most wins ever by a woman. The article highlighted Schneider’s experience with religion. Though she’s now an atheist, a religious experience left a lasting impression on her.

Raised in the Roman Catholic Church, Schneider had moved away from the faith by 2002. Yet, she agreed to attend an event featuring Pope John Paul II to appease her mother. She and her family had to wait overnight to ensure their seats. But they neglected to bring tents or any camping equipment. That was bad enough. Then, it started to rain.

To this day, Schneider claimed, “Whenever it gets bad, I think, ‘I’m not lying in a field in the rain.’” That attitude is not exactly the same as a glass half full.

But the thought that “it could be worse” can lead to looking at a negative situation more favorably. Schneider was inspired to try new things: “I’ll give anything a shot now.”

I thought of Schneider that particular morning when, just as I feared, the dusting of snow was good for only two-and-a-half sled rides down our neighborhood hill. Keep in mind that I have three children. Frustration mounted and the sledders began to turn on each other. What should I do? What would Schneider do?

I’ll take “Fun Things To Do on a Hill” for $200. Answer: What is rolling downhill? I’m happy to report I had three happy contestants.

To be clear, I am not judging Schneider for leaving organized religion. As a pastor, I am painfully aware that the church is often its own worst enemy. Terrible things have been done in the name of God — things much worse than enduring a cold night in the rain. I’m not naïve.

But I am optimistic. Certainly, there are negative situations in life. Yet, much of our response depends on how we look at a situation. That morning, there was only a dusting of snow, yet the experience was full — full of joy.

Andrew Taylor-Troutman is the pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church. His newly-published book is a collection of his columns for the Chatham News + Record titled “Hope Matters: Churchless Sermons.”