2020-14 Frodo's Wish

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit…

The shire was filled with cozy homes, small gardens, and good-natured hobbits. The comforts of relaxing on the porch while finishing my second breakfast would be enough for me to wish I was hanging out in middle earth right now. At the beginning of the Fellowship of the Ring we are introduced to Bilbo Baggins’ eldest nephew, Frodo Baggins. Frodo is care free, full of joy, and just wants to enjoy Bilbo’s birthday party because in reality it’s also his birthday. But, fate has a different course intended for young Frodo. Bilbo leaves the ring to Frodo and Gandalf is the bearer of bad news. After Gandalf confirms that the ring is indeed the One Ring of Sauron, the Dark Lord, he then begins to inform Frodo of the burden that is associated with the ring. Between Sauron, Smeagol, Gollum, Mordor, and a ring that will eventually take over his life; Frodo is frightened and angry.

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

I’m sure that there are many of us at this current time and realm on Earth that are saying the same as Frodo did, “I wish it need not have happened in my time.” We are seeing more and more people being infected with an invisible enemy. Economy’s are struggling. Moral is diminishing. But, Gandalf reminds us that we are not in control of when bad things happen to us, but simply decide what to do with the time that is given us.

The old saying, “keep your chin up”, has been on my mind for a couple of weeks now. Let us all keep our chin’s up and continue to do our best as we travel through our own personal Mirkwoods.