rainonglass

I don’t recall when I first came across “The Attitude” poem by Charles R. Swindoll, but every time I read it I am reminded that I must deliberately choose that which is right, that which is positive. In that poem he explains that our attitude, to a very large extent is more important than are the facts. He states, I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are in charge of our attitudes.”

This morning in Texas, the storms broke loose. It has been raining—raining hard, for the vast majority of the past 12 hours and is predicted to continue for the next 12. It would be so easy for me to react irritably: With our clay soil, the water has no place to go but to puddle above the ground’s surface. Water leaked in and is running the length of my garage. I got wet just trying to load my car. Rain drenched my entire lower half as I made my way from the car to the office door. I slipped on the tile floor just after I entered the office. I sit here typing while my pant legs drip dry and my trouser socks turn ice cold. My son’s cross-country meet, which I thoroughly enjoy, will be cancelled. Patients will likely be late for their appointments with me because of the unusually poor road conditions. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Still, I have a choice. I choose to be joyous and grateful for this rain. The farmers are in desperate need of rain for their crops. Our severe drought conditions have dried up many of the lakes, resulting in grass literally growing under people’s boats and for many, where there used to be many feet of water, there now exists nothing but sand and weeds. And after a couple of days of rain, I will appreciate the sunshine all the more when it returns!

In Philippians 4:8 (NIV), we are admonished to take steps to ensure our attitude is right: “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”

Here’s to expecting positive things to happen!

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