“I’ll be prepared for anything that comes,” says former President Jimmy Carter. It’s a profound statement since it concerns a spreading malignancy, but he means it from the heart. How many of us in his place could truthfully say the same?

Mr. Carter’s Aug. 20 assertion has been widely quoted in the media, and most people continue to be surprised or doubtful, but that’s his story, and he’s sticking with it. Such ongoing serenity in the face of a grave health situation!

Think about it, though. He’s lived his faith in the public spotlight for 90 years, and we’ve watched him much of that time. Don’t we realize it is the face of God we see and not the former president’s?

Despite our Creator’s loving us immensely, when denied access to our lives, He allows us to suffer the consequences of our choices and to fret.

However, when He’s given control, not held at arm’s length by finite thoughts such as “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul” (“Invictus,” by William Ernest Henley), we accept His will as our own.

While Jesus walked the earth, He said to early believers, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27).

Like any gift, to be appreciated and utilized it must be received. We need to open our hearts to this divine security and find that He is more than adequate.

Over the centuries, countless needy pilgrims have done so, Mr. Carter and I included. Immediately after you, too, accept God’s gift of salvation, you are “prepared for anything that comes.”

Martha Yerxa

South Portland

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