20Aug 09
It was the best of times…
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… it was the worst of times…*
The cup was half empty, The cup was half full
The milk dumped all over the floor! There still was a whole cup’s worth in the jar!
The right shoe always seemed to be missing! The left shoe was always in it’s place!
The Car constantly has problems! The Car ran smoothly yesterday!
The weather rained incessantly. The sun peeped through off and on.
The bugs infested the salt shaker. The salt shaker was bug-less plus one.
The tomato was half rotten. Half a tomato was perfectly ripe.
The children hardly ever obey! The children are hardily learning to obey!
For all the effort, it twas only a few solitary pennies. For all the effort, it twas a blessing of pennies.
Oh what a chair – it’s leg just had to give way! Oh what a chair – it lasted for so long!
If there is a God, why do people die? If there is a God, why do people live?
The sinner’s destiny is hell! The sinner’s salvation is Christ!
The Wicked are multiplying like weeds in a garden. The harvest is plentiful and the righteous must be ready!
Sin is always at the door. Christ is always the doorkeeper.
Death is tormenting. Death holds no sting.
No Christ no heaven, Know Christ no hell.
The glory of man is his strength. The glory of God is His strength.
It was the period of languishing. It was the period of rejoicing
Joy emerged. despondency ruled.
Everyone understood. No one understood.
It truly was the best of times and it truly was the worst of times.
How can this all be true?
Because perspective determines the proper response. For example, one individual perceives his life as full of problems and he is sad, yet just change his perspective and the same problems can be the means of bringing tears of joy.
Reader, may your perspective be in accordance with God and his word. May you see as He sees. May his Word lead you and guide you into the understanding of all Truth. May you rest in His holy promise (even when you feel otherwise) that “all things work together for good to them that love God and to those who are the called according to his purpose.”** Yes, situations may seem at their worst but from God’s perspective they are working according to his best and perfect plan. Trust in him.
*A quote from a book by Charles Dickens
**Romans 8:28
Wow! That’s really true! It reminds me of a saying my friend Deanna once told me: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
Thank you Wilkes team for sharing these simple truths! It is amazing how often we take situations for granted when we fail to look at the good side of things. So many times we complain about the problems rather than thanking God for the blessings associated with them. This has given me a whole new perspective for today!!!
Amen! Thanks for sharing – and I have recently gotten a perspective change, so this was quite apropos.
Very good Wilkes Team! That was very inspiring to me. I way to often look on the wrong side of situations, when I could point out the bright side and be happy! Thanks for that post.
Very well written! I have referenced this post and the idea behind this satire quite a few times over the past couple days since its creation. How very true! And to think, that often the very situation or circumstances I am experiencing dissatisfaction and frustation over will be gone from my mind a year, a month, or even a few days later – oh that I would always keep the bigger picture in mind!
So true!
The way we choose to view things will affect our outlook on life.
Wow! Very powerful! It’s a great reminder to look at “the glass half full” and know that God is still in control!
That was good.
And it still is!
“…giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Know what comes before the dots?) May the Lord keep us singing!
Michael, I had an idea that it was about singing but couldn’t remember the exact wording; so I went ahead and looked it up: “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”