Our family plans a lot of gatherings. We are a togetherness-group so events are happening all the time. In one meeting recently, our three year-old great-grandson had received gifts of coins and bills. He wasn’t interested in how much they totaled, it was enough for him just to count them, separately. If he got a dollar it was just one unit; if he got a quarter it was just one. He had counted up to forty but he lost his focus when the adults spoke over him. When the third time came, it was not successful either. So with a heavy heart, he let out a scream that pierced all of our ears. We un-concentrating adults all wanted to know what was wrong with him. By that time he was “blubbering” so badly he couldn’t speak. He climbed onto the couch and stretched out. In little time, he was asleep. His thinking was that we had done this on purpose. Of course, making him lose focus was not our plan but this event made me realize that we grown-ups act like that. Sometimes, things don’t go as we want and we can be in the same boat as little Landon. When alive, our adult focus should be concentrated on God’s words in this world: how do we fit into His schedule? What are we to do with our time and talents? After a restful nap, Landon was able to regain his place in the family. That might be a healing point with adults; after time away, we can regroup with a reality check. For the rest of the day he was rather quiet. What are the lessons we need to take out of life? What are the points we gather from our times of togetherness? Jesus offers His perspective on human gatherings. We are to learn ways to love each other, to forgive cruelly spoken words, realizing that life teaches us lessons. In the 36th chapter of Job there is dialogue between Job’s three friends. They have Job analyzed; according to them, he is a sinner. Otherwise God would not have let him suffer human loss, loss of wealth and loss of health. We know today that is not true. What is true, God has a right to test those who are His people.