DailyConnections.net

 

When I get in one my poor-me moods, I recall a friend who died back in 2004.  Les was a decent, caring and wonderful man.  However, for the 15 years I’d known him, he had been battling MS.  Every year, month, week and day, it robbed him of a bit more of his life.  By the time he died, he was totally paralyzed.  Only his  mind still worked.  (Once, as I entered his room in the nursing home where he spent his final years, he desperately asked me to scratch an itch on his nose, since he couldn’t do it himself.)  Add to this the fact that his wife left him when he got sick and one of his two daughters turned her back on him, too.  

 

The thing about Les, though, is that he was always upbeat.  He was always cheerful, and every day he thanked the Good Lord for his many blessings.  Before his ability to speak finally was lost, he would always have a good story or joke to tell his visitors.  Plus, he knew how to ask questions to give them a chance to talk about themselves (and stay a little longer to keep him company.)  I once thanked Les for putting up with my lamentations when I went through a divorce.  He shrugged, laughed and said, “Like I could get up and walk out of the room!” 

 

My point:  If we believe in God (and for those of us who don’t, well, you’re just not paying attention, my friends), we believe — correction, we KNOW — He has plans for us … good and wondrous plans.  It’s not our problem or our business to figure them out or to get God to cough up some neato explanation.  Most of all, if we have troubles (oh, and who doesn’t?), moping and whining only gets us into a poor-me mindset. Instead, celebrate your blessings this day.  Oh, and thank you, Lord.  It is a gorgeous day.  – jri

 

“Immediately he spoke to them and

be afraid.’“

        –    Mark 6:50