Presby-Musings

When my wife Merideth and I returned from our extended vacation we reflected on some things that I've been pondering since.   First, the journey home was long and tiring, which I am convinced is some sort of Divine design regarding the end of vacations.  By the time you get home after an arduous journey back, you are so ready to be there--despite the fact that mere days before you might have entertained thoughts of staying on vacation forever.  We had to make our way through customs and passport control of two European countries, nearly fourteen hours of flights, and an overnight stay in a fairly awful hotel before arriving in Florida to endure the customs system of the always crazy-busy Orlando airport.  By the time we made it back to our car and started driving away--the urge to get home was so powerful we both were nearly shaking with anticipation (or overworked nerves).   Since we've returned from being away for three weeks in the last month, we'v...

I have this friend who has the most annoying habit.  Every time you ask him "How's it going?" he responds by saying, "I'm blessed."  Every. Single. Time.   You're probably thinking, "What's the matter with you, man?  The guy is just feeling blessed.  You're a serious grump."  Allow me to elaborate on why it annoys me when my friend constantly says, "I'm blessed."   It's because there are days when I don't feel like blessings are showering down upon me.  There are moments when I am feeling kind of blue and bitter and not at all filled with the joy of the Lord.  I have seasons when it seems as if God has withdrawn his favor.  And then my friend--despite whatever is going on in his life--slaps a grin on his face and says "I'm blessed," and it makes me feel rotten.   The fact of the matter is I am blessed.  Blessed beyond measure.  I happen to live in the greatest country in the world, I have a...