Coming in from Church last evening, at the entrance to our subdivision, I spotted what it typically the kiss of death for communication services. A string of backhoes and ditching machines all stopped with a swarm of AT&T trucks working. I ran the computing and telecom business for a Fortune 500 company for a number of years. I know about these things. Yep. And, in today's world, cutting a fiber optic cable is big time serious. I was not as impacted as many who work from home, but, I was inconvenienced and I once again was stymied by having to try and get support from a foreign entity, most likely from a customer support technician in India. This morning I had to know it was serious. The number of service trucks was doubled. All's well that gets us back online and just before 2 p.m. it came back up.
Well, hello there, and welcome. Today is
Thursday, May 30, 2019, and I am happy to be singing the Gene Autry classic this morning, "Back in the saddle again." People do have interesting ways to express their thankfulness for still breathing air on the planet. I get this one from older people, "It's good to be on this side of the earth." The other evening I told one fellow about the man I was standing by. I said this is a very good man. The man standing next to me has been around for 94 years. He is the one that calls me 'sonny boy'. When I said he was a good man he then responded, "I do wonder why the Lord still has me hanging around." I didn't hesitate, "He has you here because you are an example of a man of God to the rest of us." I know he appreciated what I said but he is a very humble person and would never call attention to himself. Visiting folks in the hospital and nursing homes I have often gotten this sentiment, "I'm still here." I remember my mom reaching that point when she was ready to go home. It came several months after she was incapacitated from a broken hip. Mom always wanted to have a long life. God granted that to her. She made her journey shortly after reaching her 93rd year. Last Sunday I taught a lesson on the truth about how Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected on the third day. (Gospel of Mark, Chapters 15 and 16) This means that He ever lives to make intercession for those who are His own. (Hebrews 7:25) Because of this truth, we have hope. A hope that gives us the heart to cope with the ups and downs in this life, and, more importantly, a hope that gives us grace at that time when we near our departure from this life. I've seen it. Up close and personal. It's an encouragement to us all.
Amen.
Speaking of encouragement, here's a little story I found that I thought was worth sharing. ~ As a group of frogs was traveling through the woods, two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs crowded around the pit and saw how deep it was, they told the two frogs that there was no hope left for them. However, the two frogs decided to ignore what the others were saying and they proceeded to try and jump out of the pit. Despite their efforts, the group of frogs at the top of the pit were still saying that they should just give up. That they would never make it out. Eventually, one of the frogs took heed to what the others were saying and he gave up, falling down to his death. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, “Did you not hear us?” The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time. Moral of the story: People’s words can have a big effect on other’s lives. Think about what you say before it comes out of your mouth. It might just be the difference between life and death. ~ (unattributed but found on this website:
https://wealthygorilla.com/10-most-inspirational-short-stories/)
Just last week we were on the edge regarding the potential of getting too much rain. We were thankful we did get some rain but no flooding. Now, after a run of several days of strong winds, guess what? We really need some rain. Everything is dried out. The mid 90's temps combined with the wind, well, believe it or not, there are areas of our yard beginning to look slightly parched. Yes. I do remember the words of our dear neighbor for so many years, the late Mr. Ellis. We were fretting one year about trying to save our yard/grass and he gave me this insight, "Son, don't forget that no livestock are going unfed because your yard is dried out." It does seem that feast or famine appears to be a part of our daily journey. The wife talks about us needing to start a watering program. Me? I think about not only what our neighbor said, but, also the monthly water consumption as reflected in the monthly water bill. Our little water district has come up with some clever ways to deal with maximizing the revenue stream for the water provided. Lowering the minimums. Increasing the cost for the gallons above the minimum. And, here's a fee, there's a fee, everywhere you look there's a fee fee. Or, at least that's my observation. I've been paying these water bills in this district since 1976, therefore, I think I qualify to at least having an opinion. But, I'm sure they could give a different story along with 52 pages of technical detail to support what they are doing. Water tables, aquifers, etc., etc. Or something like that. Have a great rest of the day and I will do my best to catch back up with you come tomorrow morning, on this same channel. May God bless.
Amen. ....More later.
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