My pup Dudley has a new frustration. A small red squirrel has begun stealing from the bird feeder on the deck. When it appears . . .

Dudley goes into what I would call an almost hysterical cry, roaring out the door only to have the little guy jump up into the tree out of his reach. If I even mention the word squirrel the same thing happens. This tiny, little creature has managed to upset my 80 pound doggy to the point of distraction.

And so it is in life. Mosquitoes, black flies, long line ups, you name it, they all have the power, if we let them to distract and aggravate us.

There is a better way. I call it perspective. If we dwell on the irritant it will certainly grow into the focus of our life. We will be bogged down and lose our joy. But, if we consider everything that is good, including and especially the hope of Heaven, we can endure any and every fleeting struggle. This world is winding down. Where we are headed in eternity is the only thing that truly matters.