WE HAVE IT GOOD!

As modern Americans, we take so many amazing things for granted. We flip a switch, always believing the lights will come on. We turn on the faucet to get clean, safe water, heated via natural gas or cooled in a refrigerator containing good food easily purchased in well-stocked stores. We take medicine knowing it is safe and consistent with the label content. We slip into comfortable, inexpensive clothing others have made, and sit in an easy chair with a favorite book or TV program. All these things are there for us, and we don't think a thing about them until something doesn't work as planned.

Computers, cell phones, airplanes and comfortable automobiles take us places unimaginable a few decades ago. The things we complain about are minor compared to other nations or times. True, some of us must deal with poor health or floods or bad weather or unemployment or shortages, but these things will pass. We have so much, yet become so easily upset when things go awry. Sewers can clog, people or products can disappoint, and plans may not work out, but all in all, we count on abundant blessings regularly present in our lives.

God has given us a life far better than we deserve. Carol, Brian and I attended worship Sunday and afterwards enjoyed a tasty Mother's Day Brunch at a busy cafe. Far from our minds were those making it all possible: night workers, police, fire and medical personnel, delivery people and truckers, as well as the soldiers, sailors and airmen who protect our nation. It's all part of a life we assume all should wake up to every day.

All these are ours in a nation basically free from tyranny or inconvenience. That's why so many people want to come here to live. There will always be days of sadness, sickness, unfairness and disappointment. But we have so much less evil to contend with than those living in other countries. We have so much more good than bad in our lives. 

The next time you complain about a product, a service or a politician, think where you might be living, rather than in the United States of America. And think what life would be like if you did not have the hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, heavenly hope that makes earthly life worthwhile. All this and God's love, freely given.

Try to remember these words of St. Paul: "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." (1 Timothy 6:6-7)

God really is very good to you!