kenlassblog

Spring is here and everything has started growing. I’ve always been amazed at weeds. Grass, flowers and trees are finicky. Things have to be just right for them to thrive. Weeds don’t care. They just endure everything and grow anyway. No rain? No fertilization? Inadequate soil? Not enough sun or shade? No problem. Weeds flourish regardless. I’ve even seen them come up through the cracks in my driveway. Cut them down, they grow back. Spray them with poison and they wilt for a bit, but eventually rejuvenate themselves.

As much of a pain as they are to pull and kill off, a part of me can’t help but admire their persistence and determination. Wouldn’t it be great to go through life just brushing aside all manner of adversity and relentlessly pursue your goals? It just may be the key to a long and successful journey.

Live like a weed. Don’t let problems uproot your joy.

It doesn’t take much to put you into a bad mood, does it? You stub your toe, your favorite team loses a game, you have car trouble, your kid or grandkid spills his drink, that plumber failed to show up, you can’t get a doctor appointment until the next leap year.

Suddenly, you’re in a funk. You’re miffed and you’re looking to take it out on somebody. It’s usually somebody you love. You say something you shouldn’t say, feelings get hurt. It happens. We all go through bad moods.

Next time, try this: Say “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I’m having a bad day. I need a little grace”. You will be surprised at how such a simple statement will heal feelings and change your frame of mind.

A little humility is the best antidote for a bad mood.

We recently had an intense thunderstorm pass through our neighborhood. Straight line wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour. Heavy rain and even hailstones. We were safe inside our house, but I wondered about the little birds who frequent our backyard feeders. They’ve sort of become our pets, and I couldn’t help worrying about how they protect themselves in severe weather like this.

I read where they seek protection in dense hedges and heavily foliated tree branches, but the leaves were not yet on the trees, and it’s hard to believe a hedge can shield them from that kind of force.

Yet when the skies clear and the storm calms, they all return, apparently having survived just fine. Incredible how God protects his creations. Somehow, He takes care of his birds. Our birds. Makes me feel like He’s got me covered as well.

I came upon an interesting random statistic the other day. It revealed that young children smile about 400 times per day, but the average adult smiles only about 20 times per day. The figure was supposedly based on “research”, although I can’t help wondering who actually followed people around all day and counted all those smiles.

But the point seems to be, children tend to be much happier than adults. Why do you figure that is the case? Perhaps they have less to worry about. Maybe they are at peace because they trust others, more powerful and loving than themselves, to take care of them. They just don’t worry about what they can’t control.

God can do that for you. And that will make you smile.

I attended a very small, private elementary school out in the country. At the beginning of each school year, the teachers would haul out the same old eye chart to test the vision of all the students. My vision was not good, but I hated the thought of wearing glasses. I thought the other kids would make fun of me and call me “four eyes”. So I memorized that eye chart, and passed my vision test each year, despite my fuzzy eyesight.

That worked until seventh grade. The school crossed me up by using a new eye chart. I was busted. My near-sightedness was diagnosed, and I had to wear glasses. I was miserable, until I put those glasses on. I was amazed at what I was missing. I could see the blackboard clearly, I could see cars on the road outside the building, during recess I could see the baseball so much better on the playground. I did take a little teasing, but the improved vision was well worth it.

Sometimes the thing you most fear turns out to be the blessing you don’t expect.

I’m fascinated by this relatively new phenomenon in our culture known as “influencers”. Thousands of people making money simply by posting their endorsement of products, and sharing their opinions on social media platforms about things they have purchased. Apparently, the public really is influenced by these folks, some of whom have an incredible number of followers.

It occurs to me that all of us are influencers. The way we act, the way we treat people, the language we use, and our kindness. or lack of it, to others sets an example its in own small way. You may feel anonymous, but you’d probably be surprised at how many folks notice the way you live your life. You will leave an impression. You have the power to brighten somebody’s day with a smile, a pleasant word or an act of kindness.

Now that’s what I call influence.

Pick out one person you know you are going to see today. Then think of something nice you can tell them. A compliment, or an expression of appreciation, something that will build them up. Could be anything. You know them. You know what they want to hear. Be their little, perhaps unexpected, blessing today.

They will probably smile, say thank you, and humbly brush it off as if to say “it’s no big deal”. Trust me. It’s a big deal. They will remember your acknowledgement all day, and it will lift them up. They may not show it. They may think it’s “uncool” to show it, but they will feel it.

But be intentional about this. Plan it ahead of time. Do this at least once every day. You’ll be a light in so many lives. And you will find yourself glowing as well.

Recently I have had a series of friends and acquaintances pass away. Weird how it seems to happen in bunches. I find myself going to way too many funerals and visitations. I have observed how various people deal with the loss of a loved one at these services. Some are tearful and quiet, some are smiling and talkative.

I suspect a lot has to do with the life lived by the deceased. Family members who know their departed one is in heaven are clearly able to handle the loss with a higher level of peace and consolation. They are sad, of course, but they understand their sadness is for themselves, not the one who is in the presence of God. That makes a difference.

It should reinforce our resolve to make sure those we care about know the path to heaven. There is only one. When your time has come, make sure everyone knows where you are, and how they can join you one day.

Find time to do what you love. I know you’re busy. Life places all kinds of demands on you, especially if you are still working full time. That’s okay if you love your work, but surveys show only about one in three Americans love their jobs. Another one out of three say they are okay with their jobs, but don’t love them, and about another third don’t like, or hate their work.

It’s important you figure out what you love to do, and find at least some time to do it. It doesn’t have to be important. It doesn’t have to change the world. Just has to be something that brings you joy. Might be reading a book, playing with grandkids, working out, binging your favorite TV show, crossword puzzles, bible study, whatever. Spending time doing what you love will bring you peace, balance and perspective.

Don’t let your life get bogged down with things you don’t like. It’s a recipe for depression.

I’m having trouble adjusting to the concept that breakfast cereal is no longer considered healthy for me. I grew up filling my bowl every morning with Frosted Flakes, Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, Wheaties and Rice Crispies. My best morning friends were Tony the Tiger, Snap, Crackle & Pop, and Lucky the Leprechaun. The boxes told me that cereal was full of oats and wheat and, combined with whole milk, would help me grow up to be big and strong.

Now they say cereal is terrible for you. Full of sugar and processed ingredients. Instead they recommend high fiber, high protein, low sugar products. I’ve tried them. It’s like eating wood chips. Next thing you know, they’ll be telling me that big glass of orange juice I drank every morning was bad. Oh wait, they already have. Again, too much sugar.

I don’t know what to eat for breakfast anymore. Guess I have to switch to something else. Maybe a nice big chocolate muffin.