November 30, 2010

Number 48

VIEWPOINT

Not long ago, the world watched as three gray whales, icebound off Point Barrow, Alaska, floated battered and bloody, gasping for breath at a hole in the ice.  Their only hope: somehow to be transported five miles past the ice pack to open sea. Rescuers began cutting a string of breathing holes about 20 yards apart in the six-inch-thick ice.

“For eight days they coaxed the whales from one hole to the next, mile after mile.  Along the way, one of the trio vanished and was presumed dead; but finally, with the help of Russian icebreakers, the whales Putu and Siku swam to freedom.

“In a way, worship is a string of breathing holes the Lord provides His people.  Battered and bruised in a world frozen over with greed, selfishness and hatred, we rise for air in church, a place to breathe again, to be loved and encouraged, until that day when the Lord forever shatters the ice cap.” (Craig Brian Larson, Leadership, Vol. 11, No. 2).

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Melodie Beattie, a noted self-help author, often stresses the importance of gratitude.  She says, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” If we believe Melodie Beattie is  right, it will make us appreciate Thanksgiving Day, as well as make us more grateful the other 364 days.

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“Don’t let success go to your head or let failure go to your heart!”  That’s some advice my mother gave during our time together last week.  It’s worth listening to.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile, and a positive word!                                  RA