TOne of the good habits that we should foster is the habit of being thankful and appreciative for the many little things God has blessed us with. The other day while we were at our daughter’s house, I watched Santy play a game of monopoly with our grandchildren. I could tell she really had a good time playing with them, as shown by the many times she laughed. It was then, while watching them play, I was reminded, how blessed I was to be married to her. A good wife, a good mother, and a good grandmother. I am a lucky man.
Rightly Johann von Goethe, the 18th century German poet, said, “He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds his peace in his home.”
But life is not perfect; hence, it is not always easy to find the many little things God has blessed us. I understand that; sometimes the burden of life is so unbearable that we cannot—or are not in the mood—to be thankful to God. What I find it hard to understand is I have met some who were discontent and angry at God for making their lives less than perfect. I can’t get my head around it because to me they should—and can—be thankful for the so many other things they have been blessed with. If only I could make them see.
One of the blessings we often neglect is friends. Blessed are those who are surrounded by good and faithful friends. They generally live longer and more happily than those who are not. With friends, we can face life’s struggles and enjoy life’s finest better. With friends, we have less lonely hours and more happy hours. But friends are not gifts from heaven; they are gifts from earth—from us to us. You see, friends are made, not received; and we make friends by being good friends to others. As your pastor I am glad to see that you have made friends here in the church. You care for one another, and you give more than you receive. That’s what a friend is for.
Pastor Paul