Keep your head, keep your feet, and keep your heart!”
–Emerson Hough (54-40 or Fight)
“However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.”
–1 Timothy 1:16 (NKJV)
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Thank you Lord for the breath You give me, and that I can walk. Oh, I may not be as spry as I used to be and able to hump over the hills and through the woods, but I am still able to get from one place to another. I can watch a hawk glide through the trees, smell the aroma of a flower, and taste the sweetness of Annie’s apple pie. Everytime I go to the doctor, I look around and am thankful that I’m not in as bad a shape as those I see.
Far too often, even Christians, bemoan their grievances, aches, and pains. Older folk sometimes get together to compare who is taking the most pills, what new pain they have this week, or to show that they are in more misery than the others. Often this is done in jest, but then again, sometimes we get to complaining too much and are not thankful enough.
When I begin to “count my blessings and name them one by one,” I get overwhelmed with the goodness of God. Through all the years He has been good to me and my family. In struggles, He has helped us. In sickness, He has touched us and several times healed us. In sorrow, He has comforted us. In the good times, He has been there smiling down upon us.
No, I try not to be negative, but once in a while it just pops up. Woe is me, I just need to go eat some worms… But then I remember, I dislike the taste of worms. They are dirty, slimy and don’t taste so very good. No, I think I’ll treat myself when the woes hit me. A piece of pie, a bite of cookie is much better than a worm. Or we could go further and think of a nice, juicy, broiled t-bone over the fire and its rich aroma; its mouthwatering taste most definitely is better than an old worm.
See the woes bring on a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness but in Christ we have both help and hope. He gives me strength for each day, for each hour. He says He will never leave my side, and I have the assurance that He is there even when I don’t see or feel Him. He gives that wonderful blessed hope that He will return and take me to glory either by the rapture or the grave.
He gave me the ability to work, and work hard knowing that I work for Him, and for His glory. He gave me the ability to think, to study, to better myself for my future and my family, again all for His glory. We tend to get caught up with work, or education, or career, and forget that they are gifts from the Lord and we should honor Him but doing the best we can (Colossians 3:17,23).
No, I try my best to stay out of the mulligrubs and not murmur. It doesn’t do much good anyhow. Lord, I pray, help me, help me to stay on the “sunny side of life.” Think of all the good things: biscuits ‘n’ gravy, the vistas I’ve seen from the tops of mountains, the campsites I’ve enjoyed. Think of my wife: her smile, her help, her servanthood, and her cooking. Think of my kids, my grandkids, and how You’ve taken care of them. Too many blessings to count. God’s goodness and faithfulness is so apparent. Ahhh, sometimes I just want to sigh in His presence.