Drinking From My Saucer

See that cup of coffee down below?  Some of the coffee has spilled out of the cup and rests in the saucer, so I promptly drank it out of the saucer.  I didn't spill by accident, though.  I did it on purpose to get in the habit of drinking from my saucer.  Why?

Here's why.  This morning at church, the first song we sang from the hymnal was, "Count your Blessings, Name them One by One."  It's an old one.  Oftentimes, we'll stop after the chorus between each verse and allow people to stand and testify regarding something for which they are really thankful to God.  Keep in mind these are widows and widowers, people who have lost spouses and/or children yet they are thankful to God for the many blessings in their lives.  Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

It's perspective, right?  How do you look at it?  Is the glass half empty or is the glass half full.  Or maybe, there's another option.  Perhaps, despite hardships and trials, you realize that your cup isn't half empty or half full.  You come to realize that your cup is running over, filling your saucer, thanks to God.  That's how I aim to look at things.  It reminds me of a song that says just that.  You can click on the video below to listen and read the lyrics below the video.  

I've never made a fortune
It's probably too late now
Oh but I don't worry about that much
'Cause I'm happy anyhow
As I go along life's journey
I'm reaping better than I sow
I'm drinking from my saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed

Ain't got a lot of riches
Sometimes the going's rough
But I've got a friend in Jesus
And that makes me rich enough
I thank God for His blessings on me
And the mercy that He's bestowed
I'm drinking from my saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed

O, sure I've been thru some storms
And yes I'm sure there were times when my
well my faith musta got a little thin
But you know what it seemed like
One day all at once those dark clouds broke
And that old sun she started shinin' again
So Lord, help me not to grumble & complain
About the tough rows I have hoed
I'm drinking from my saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed

And if I should go on living
If the way gets steep and rough
I won't ask for other blessings
'Cause I'm already blessed enough
May I never be too busy
To help another bear his load
And I'll keep drinkin from my saucer, Lord
'Cause my cup has overflowed
Yes I'll keep drinking from my saucer, Lord
'Cause my cup has overflowed
My cup has overflowed

Thank You, Lord, For Your Blessings On Me

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  It is a time where we don't get distracted by other things and we concentrate on giving thanks to God for the blessings in our lives.  We always sit around the table and go around one by one and count our blessings.  It is a matter of perspective.  When we focus on our disappointments, areas of lack, and wants, it is easy to get discouraged.  However, when we focus on all that we have, we realize how fortunate we are and how much God has blessed us.

Image Credit

This past Sunday in church we sang a song that very simply sums up Thanksgiving to me.  Here are the lyrics:

While the world looks upon me, as I struggle alone
They say I have nothing, but they are so wrong
In my heart I'm rejoicing, how I wish they could see
Thank you Lord, for your blessings on me

There's a roof up above me
I've a good place to sleep
There's food on my table
And shoes on my feet
You gave me your love Lord
And a fine family
Thank you Lord, for your blessings on me

I know I'm not wealthy, and these clothes, they're not new
I don't have much money, but Lord I have you
That's all that matters, though the world may not see
Thank you Lord, for your blessings on me

There's a roof up above me
I've a good place to sleep
There's food on my table
And shoes on my feet
You gave me your love Lord
And a fine family
Thank you Lord, for your blessings on me

My non-exhaustive list of things I'm thankful for:
1. My Almighty God and the salvation He gave me through the Blood of His Son, Jesus Christ,
2. My loving and supportive family, (wife, kids, mother, father, brother, sister, etc.)
3. Being raised in a loving, Christian home by a loving mother and father,
4. Living in a great Country,
5. A church and church family that stands on the Solid Rock and unashamedly preaches the Gospel,
6. Family and Friends that pray for me each day,
7. Health,
8. A comfortable home,
9. Plenty of good food and never having to go to bed hungry,
10. Freedoms afforded me by the Constitution and Bill of Rights,
11. Military men and women that made sacrifices so that I can enjoy that blanket of freedom,
I could go on and on and on, but it is getting late.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

Trying to Beat the Heat - Late July 2017 Edition

“I dislike the thought that some animal has been made miserable to feed me. If I am going to eat meat, I want it to be from an animal that has lived a pleasant, uncrowded life outdoors, on bountiful pasture, with good water nearby and trees for shade.” - Wendell Berry

I like our animals to be comfortable, too.  Especially in the hot, humid Louisiana summers that are oppressive, our animals struggle to have this "pleasant" life outdoors that Wendell Berry speaks of.  The animals aren't stupid; however, they seek out the shade under the trees to find a respite from the heat.

The chickens gather between the dairy barn and the goat barn beneath the shade of the water oak trees.  The dirt stays moist and cool in the ever-present shade here and they linger here during the hottest part of the day.

They do this thing with their wings that I show in the photo below.  When we get hot, we take off a jacket or sweater and dress appropriately.  Chickens can't do that so they do the next best thing - they hold their wings out to allow better airflow next to their bodies to cool them off.

The cows chase the shade across the pasture.  They know at certain points of the day where to position themselves to enjoy the shade.  They are as methodical in their routine as a Swiss watch.  Later in the day, they gather by the water trough and drink deeply of the cool water.  It is a peaceful, fulfilling time for them.

Rosie lifts her head when she's done and savors the cool, refreshing water while a few drops fall back into the trough.  This is no time for rushing - just a time to relax in the shade and drink water.

It is this time of the afternoon that Tricia and I walk around the perimeter of the property, taking in the sights and sounds of the end of a long, hot summer day.

Life has its bumps and gives us a fair share of heartache and trouble, but truth be told, we are blessed beyond comparison.  In the cool of the day, we find many blessings to count.