by Pastor Wes Poole
PSALM 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. – NRSV
Some levity this week…with a message of course! 😉
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and saw that she had only three hairs on her head. “Great,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.”
So she did and had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. “Hmm,” she said, “I guess I’ll part my hair down the middle.”
So she did and had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only one hair left on her head.
“Wow,” she said, “today I get to wear my hair in a ponytail.” So she did and had a wonderful, wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that there wasn’t a single hair on her head.
“Thank God!” she exclaimed. “I was running out of things to do with my hair!”
I have a confession to make…I am a news junkie! My addiction is always worse during an election cycle. When you throw COVID into the equation, it might be time for someone to stage an intervention on my behalf! All kidding aside, I have always believed that knowledge is power. Knowledge leads to understanding and understanding is key to a kind and just society. One thing though, that the savvy news fiend must be aware of these days is the reality of “spin”; the tactic of a journalist or network presenting their facts in such a way that it promotes an agenda. Gone are the days of Walter Cronkite telling us simply “and that’s the way it is”. Not that I am running down the media, a free press is a cornerstone of our democracy. What we must develop is the skill to peer through the spin to discern the facts beneath.
The woman in the story above was practicing another variety of spin; an attitude we can personally apply to our lives. It’s much the same thing as the old “half full/half empty” glass debate. For the modern day disciple of Jesus, when we spin everything through the reality of God’s goodness, we find the level of thankfulness and joy the woman with ever decreasing hair did! The moral of the story is that God has provided us with so much. Perhaps we should make an extra effort to approach each day God gives us with thankfulness for what we have. It will undoubtedly render us more grateful and generous people. After all, there is nothing like a positive attitude to facilitate a wonderful day!
Let us pray…
God of all goodness, we do indeed bless and thank you for your lavish generosity. You have given us so much. May our thankfulness to You inspire us to greater compassion and charity, and the unbridled joy that we live in the light of Your love. We pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Be well, be kind, be safe…and have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
Pastor Wes Poole †
Amen. Thank you!