Attitudes

You know a lot of people fuss about birthdays, and different folks have different ideas about how they want to celebrate them.  This is one of those big ones for me, the ones with a zero.  I have gathered a truckload of memories these past 60 years and I relish in the fact that I can remember a bunch of them, and truly that is not a joke in that my memory definitely is a bit tainted.  But when my family asked me how I wanted to celebrate it, I didn't want any fan fare, we had a fun celebration in August that my children hosted a party  for my husband and I both turning the same age, and all I wanted was for the girls and their kids to come over and have a pick me up dinner and cupcakes at my house. 

They honored my request and Jenn crafted a table set tree that she had gotten everybody, even the kids to add hanging hearts to, that had blurbs on them about me, my personality and the things that remind them of me. It was over the top darling, and appreciated beyond imagination.  But there was one surprise, at least for some of them. I rented a golf cart for the day.  I just love golf carts and I knew the grandkids did too, and besides it was my birthday and we had to have some fun.   

It was a beautiful day and Jenn made a bright neon poster to put on the back that said: "It's Sassy's birthday HONK" and the cart, a six seater, was decorated with balloons and of course everybody had horns to blow.  We had a blast.  It was mostly me and the kids who rode, and we took many a trip on the varied streets nearby but several times down Memorial. They did the honking gestures with their hands and we would bet how many honks we could get (that was Jamie's idea) and when we reached our quota, we just screamed and cheered.  

The event did not go without a couple of hiccups; for though I was in the front, I was letting each of them have a turn pushing the pedal and steering, and on one occasion, we jumped a curb and headed for a tree but stopped a few feet shy of hitting it. Bad judgement on my part, that would have been a bummer. I realized then that the pedal was one thing but the steering was now exclusively my job. On the last run around the sleepy neighborhood, I was the only adult with my three older ones.  I had told the kids to hold tight when we were moving, but one decided to do a little show boating, and fell off, gaining great attention and sympathy from all of us but only leaving a very small booboo on his ankle; golf carts do not go very fast you know.   It was an adventure for sure that had all the ingredients for a fun day.   

There was one balloon that read: it is not the age but the attitude.  And I love that because it is not just about birthdays, but life in general. It is all about the attitude. And we have choices each day that we can make.  Are we going to be positive or negative? Are we going to let circumstance dictate choice or are we going to make choice dictate over circumstance.  This birthday deal is a small example, but it is a relative one.  Are you fighting an emotional battle of growing older or embracing it. I have found that in every season of my life, God has taught me lessons of His truth, His provision and His strength. The lessons have not always been easy but they have always been rich in worthiness and value.  Attitude is a choice; either we seek the positive and live in trust and faith in spite of circumstances or we allow the negative to override any thoughts of hopeful gain.  

We have all been around people who drain the very joy out of our soul, but we also have known people whose presence seems to lift us off of the very ground on which we stand. We can be a shot of enthusiasm, encouragement, strength and hope or we can be a shot of discord, discontent and disgruntled dismay to those who we are around. Now really, what attribute is one most worthy of embracing?  One is Christ centered while the other is self centered. I choose the positive attitude though many times I let it slip into the weeds. I am thinking maybe this age thing is to my advantage, for with it comes maturity, and with maturity I am learning that when it comes to my way or God's way, my way is most definitely the lesser one of success.    

The bible says to be thankful in all things; a positive attitude does just that.  It is the old glass half empty, half full adage.  If we seek good we will find good. There is a story told of a master who sends two servants to go gathering; one is to gather weeds, the other flowers.  They both come back hands filled and overflowing.  The one with the weeds came back and said, "I am convinced that all we have in the kingdom is weeds". Soon the other servant returned and said " look at all these flowers, I didn't realize we had so many flowers in the kingdom". One servant saw only weeds; the other saw only flowers. Why was that? It was becasue that is what they were looking for. If we look for negative things, we are sure to find a kingdom full of them, but if we look for positive things, and look to serve God and serve others, we are going to be lifted up. We find what we are looking for, and if we are seeking God and His presence we will find it in every situation. 

Attitude is a mindset.  It is a mind set on God or a mind set on self. This Philippians verse is a familiar one to many of you but it holds such great merit when talking about attitude.  We are to rejoice, be gentle, not be anxious, pray, thank God and think on things of excellence.  The deal is: our attitudes spring directly from thoughts that we are harboring. If we are finding the positive, then we are harboring thoughts of God, His love, His steadfastness, His promises, His example, His infinite ability to love and untangle tough situations, His strength, His worthiness, His forgiveness, His faithfulness. etc. Those are thoughts of truth that hold great merit, comfort and hope; thoughts worthy to embrace. 

    

Philippians 4: 4-8

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

God has given us life to enjoy.  Sure there are going to be hard times, and tough situations, and heartbreaking events, but in everything there is an element of good hidden somewhere.  Sometimes we have to dig to find the positive but it is there. If things are bad we have to remember that things could always be worse, and be grateful to God for what he has given us rather than discontent with what we do not have. Everyone of us who knows Christ is rich, rich in love, His love.  When we look for weeds we will find them, oh but if we seek to find flowers we will be blessed by the bounty that surrounds us.  

And by the way, no matter what birthday is coming up for you, take it in stride, and be grateful for the truckload of memories that you can recall and the friends and family that God has blessed you to have.  I mean seriously, birthdays mean we are still living....and living we should do.  

Dear Lord, Thank you for the years you have given to me and the loved ones and memories that I hold so dear.  

I have been blessed abundantly by your presence, challenged by your example, and sprinkled daily with your love and guidance. Help me to reflect a loving and positive attitude in all that I do and faithfulness and trust in you when adversity comes my way. Amen         

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!