Think!

190513 – Think!

First, the cute little boy with his big sister’s tie-back in his hair is my youngest grandson which is reason enough to attach the photo to this post. I love him like I think God loves me.

Please accept my apologies. I did not manage my time well over the week, and did not get by thoughts posted by Sunday.

Worship services were overflowing with people yesterday as mothers were being honored on Mother’s Day. Jan and I usually attend the early service but yesterday we went to the second (9:30 a.m.) service. Weekly this is the service that is the most attended but I did not know it was that popular.

Halfway through the sermon, I had this wonder-filled emotion. The sermon was insightful and interesting but my mind had wandered to missing my Mom. Then wham, I was struck with wonder. There I was sitting next to my beloved, mother of our children, and keeper of my zoo of a life. Who would have thought Freddie Baldwin would grow up and have such a life? Mine is a life that is held up by so many meaningful friends, a powerful family, and growing faith. Mine is a life of perpetual wonder and joy. My life is far better than I ever expected.

But, then why am I surprised? Isn’t that what is promised to those who choose to chase after God? I do not believe mine is a life rewarded for good behavior. There are far too many ghostly memories of the past haunting the darkness in me, and I have far too many desires that rage on the edge of my consciousness.

I think I am discovering that the good life has always been mine. It was always there for me. I just could not see it. Not because it was invisible but because I had the problem Jesus described as “having eyes yet unseeing.” I believe God has given every life a companion of well-being, and of joy. That is hard for me today because I have been in a lot of miserable places in the world, and have seen the harsh conditions in which some people live. Not “some people”, but many, and perhaps most people in the world live in these conditions. Yet in each of those places I have gotten to know individuals who count themselves as having a blessed life. They may not be happy with the place where they live but joy is evident in their living in that place.

I believe what Jesus said, “I came that you might have life.” The life He gives is His life of love, joy, and peace, etc., that He experiences as a human. This life, New Life, birthed in us when we choose to accept it comes in as a seed. The seed is nurtured to maturity by the Holy Spirit who guides our development through our choices of what we think about. I have learned this very late in life; but I am very happy that I have learned it.

When we get our thinking about life right, we will discover the contentment we long for in life.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8(NIV))

Now would be a good time to put on your dancing shoes, listen to Aretha Franklin’s THINK. Consider it this way, “think about what I’m doing to myself.” I’ll make it easy for you; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Dl__4QGjY