Someone asked, “Why praiseful?”
Once I thought only the dead could ask such
When the blind can see, the deaf and dumb know
That life is a gift not a right
Why will the living not be praiseful?
Why will I not be grateful?
If life were a right, I may not earn it.
If it were for sale, the rich would hoard it.
If it were for the strong, I’d never qualify.
If it were for winners, I may never make it
Though I win today, another wins it tomorrow
And there it goes before I’ve enjoyed it.
I am praiseful because life is a gift
I am praiseful because life is not for sale
I am praiseful because God gives it
Without partiality, without bigotry.
Food For Thought: Something happened last week and I strongly supported dealing ‘decisively’ with the situation until the Holy Spirit reminded me as always, “You do not do what you do because of what people do. On the stage of life, you are an actor not a reactor. You do what you have to because you know it is the right thing to do.” At least, you and I should be confident that no matter what comes and goes, God will do right concerning us. That should equally encourage us to do right. What is the right thing, you may ask? God’s Word remains our guide. Within and around, distress, offence, suffering and discouragement are threatening everyone, everywhere but we don’t have to fall for these. That we are encountering difficulties is not news. Who is not? Times are truly hard but the tougher it gets, the greater grace abounds to ferry us safely across. Grace carries those who have boarded the ark of faith, determined to remain despite temptations to jump out because of threatening tides. Those going their ways, romance doubt and fear, and run the risk of dashing out and getting drowned by the ever-rising tide of evil. Whatever our situation, may we retain the attitude of gratitude irrespective of how others consider and treat us. One thing that hunts our sense of accomplishment is that we get carried away by good and eventually lose it faster than it was gained. It is the Lord’s pleasure to grant us fulfillment and rest but not for us to lose our sense of purpose and direction to what calls ahead or to what others are doing. God gives rest and meets our needs to enable us focus our energies on higher goals. He does it also so that we can reach out to others who are still in the wilderness, with the comfort with which we have been comforted by the God and Father of all comfort. God’s comfort to us is not for us to lose our heads but to become effective channels of His comfort to those still trying to find their way to His promise, like we once were. Unfortunately, God’s blessings are sometimes misused and abused. What a pity that we often forget where we’re coming from and the greater glory ahead simply because we experienced a little success. Some never go farther than those genesis experiences of fulfillment because they lost purpose and sensitivity to others. May we never lose sight and sense of God’s purpose for every phase of life we are in so that we can make the most of each and be an extension of His love and comfort to those still behind. May we truly experience God’s superabundant grace that exceeds the needs and ills that come our ways. And through it all, may we remain praiseful no matter what.
Scripture: Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6: 17.
Prayer: Dear Lord, it is amazing that the greatest gifts are not up for sale to the highest bidders: You give them freely – thank You for the free gift of life O God, amen!