KINGDOM ATTITUDE

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, the I am strong.”

(2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

It’s all in the attitude. My new year is off to a great start.

     I forgot to set my alarm last night for 5 am.

     And my backup alarm was on the fritz as the dogs themselves were up past midnight and crashed out, so no whining at our bedroom door to get up.

I needed up at that time so I could take the dogs out back for an hour before we left for a 5k run. Well, so I could take Pat for a 5k run (and I could cheer her on.) We are dog sitting 2 dogs (our daughter’s pug and Weimaraner puppy).  The first morning I let the dogs out and they (and our 2) were ready to come in after 15 minutes. Big mistake as the Weimaraner needed more time to do her business outside. Yep! She left two BIG deposits inside. So, I learned to actually go out with them and stay out there for an hour first thing every morning. Doesn’t help with the male dog marking territory thing, but a quick mop up is better than deposit pick up. Anyway. . .

This morning, my incoming text notification chime woke me up. It was some random spam text from CVS. I could have been upset, thus starting my new year off on the wrong foot, but no. I saw the text was a spam, but also saw that it was 5 am. I realized I had forgotten to set my alarm and had this text not come in at 5 am, I might still be sleeping instead of enjoying a cool breeze on the back porch, with my Rocky curled up in my lap and the other 2 roaming around an hour later. Thus my first thought in this New Year was, “Thank You Jesus,” and not, “Oh Cr . . .”

Paul had pleaded with the Lord three times to remove the thorn placed in his side. Instead, he got the above response from the Lord. Though he pled three times his attitude remained Christ centered. He knew his strength came from Christ. He boasted in his infirmities, knowing the power of Christ would rest in him. He pressed ahead in faith, with a positive attitude, giving Him all the praise.

I wrote the last paragraph while my wife was running her 5k on the Bay Front. Before leaving she commented on her foot hurting a little, and had some concern for the wind. As we arrived, there was a strong breeze blowing. Going out it would be a tail wind but coming back it would be a head wind. She almost bailed out, but decided to go for it anyway. She completed it and was only off her regular time by a minute, despite the wind. And her foot didn’t bother her until after she had completed the run. Right attitude.

How many hours, days, weeks, months, years have you bemoaned your bad luck, circumstances, lack of something? How has that worked out? This year put on a new attitude! Instead of begging for His help, thank Him and praise Him for what He has done in your life. Whether you realize it or not, He has placed everything that you need inside of you: Himself, through the Holy Spirit! You are already blessed. Surrender to Him and your gifts will be revealed to you according to His plan. Let the right attitude (faith in Christ) carry you through today and every day of 2022 . . . and beyond!

Have a Blessed Year!