happiness in the little things.

Joshua 1:9

As I sit here at McDonalds to take in my surroundings, I’m captured by the whiff of salty french fries, and enthralled by the sight of anxious, hungry customers impatiently standing in the line as they brace themselves for a delicious big mac and a large [$1] diet coke. I’ll never forget the memorable school mornings when my mom would take me to breakfast here and I would lick the remaining crumbs from the container that cradled a warm cinnamon roll. Even as a 5 year old, I’d always eagerly await the next time the golden arches would be in view a mile down the road. It makes people happy to get what they want, when they want it, and how they expect it, even if it’s for a short time.

I’m observing a rather typical customer will approach the counter already somewhat irritated with the long, tiresome 3 minutes of waiting in line, then to mumble their order to the newly hired front cashier; it seems to this “starving” customer that no matter how precise an order is spoken, they just never get it right. I’ll never understand why some people can get so upset with receiving more than they have paid for—maybe it’s a few extra fries, or an extra 4 count nuggets. What astonishes me is that the same food that can enrapture a hungry mouth and satisfy the eyes of a young child can also obliterate someone’s attitude and enrage them to anger beyond belief. This gives a “happy meal” an entirely different meaning!

But then, [thankfully] there are those customers who approach the counter with understanding and sympathy for those around them—especially the ones scrambling in the distance, as they appear stressed and overwhelmed. Aware of the aggravated individuals to their left and right, this customer is not easily disrupted by the negative attitudes of those nearby, but with compassion tries to identify ways to help, if not in the form of a smile or a quick hello, then maybe picking up the trash tossed from someone after trailing out the door.

It’s really easy to see the benefit of mirroring the example of the second customer, but way too often I think we slide into the position of the unhappy, unsatisfied individual whose focus is getting what they want, when they want it, and how they expect it. If we’re truly focused on reflecting the attitude of Jesus Christ and walking as He walked, the last thing on our minds will be our own comforts, our own desires, or our own will.

Psalm 31:19

A good friend of mine once reminded me that growing in faith means learning to let God define things for us and then to be willing to receive these things on His terms. God knows that the pitifully little thing we call happiness is nothing compared to the thing that really deserves that name, and it must surely be exasperating to Him to see us hang on to our “happiness” so tightly and pay so little attention to treasures that are incomparably more precious. Wouldn’t we be more mature spiritually if we let God tell us what these things really are and then let Him dispense these blessings to us on His terms and according to His wisdom?

I’ve come to realize this week that despite the occasional disappointments in this life, our greater reward can be found in trusting God’s ability to sustain His children and bring us home if we’re found to be living righteously in His sight.

Micah 6:8

Discovering happiness in the little things can really make a difference in not only our own lives, but in the lives around us. Little things make big things happen!

we have been set free.

1 Thessalonians 1:3

Typically, we’d say we like to spend the majority of our time with individuals who share common interests, mutual friends, preferred foods, or perhaps even those who attend the same congregation we do. Friendships usually come easier to those whom we respect and admire certain things about, such as personality, character, and ability. This week I spent most of my time with the most impressive 77-year-old man I’ve ever known—one of the elders here at the Northside Church of Christ, Mr. Keith Burnett.

Although I may not be married, he sure has taught me a lot about the importance of the godly wife in his life, and has challenged the way I think of my future as a young man. Before completing his second year at Florida College, he arrived back home (Illinois) to work on his family’s farm for a year in order to save money to return in the fall. Not long after his last year, he met a young lady at a gospel meeting who, according to him, “had the most striking southern singing voice in the state of Kentucky.” He exchanged phone numbers with her in front of her boyfriend at the time, who had just bought a new red convertible that was parked right outside. “Should’ve asked if I could’ve had the car with her too had I thought quicker!”

Humility is an aspect of his life that I admire most. At first I was a bit caught off guard seeing him enter the side door of the building before a bible study wearing his overalls, work gloves, and straw hat—but I soon began to appreciate his genuine love for others and love for the LORD during these times. I’ve never met anyone with the bible knowledge he has, nor have I discovered anyone with such a respect for God’s word like he does. The group bible studies have been very productive, the visits with elderly have been humbling, talks with people in the community have been interesting, but I must confess that the one-on-one studies with this guy are by far the most insightful, overwhelming, awesome lessons I’ve ever had a part in. I find myself even more excited now when I hear the squeaking of his old pickup truck coming to a halt outside as we engage in another study of the bible…and occasionally dinosaurs, giants, history of the Chinese language, life back in the 1960’s, and his frequent travels to the bible land.

Mark 16:15-16

Studying the bible intently has never become so real for me until now. Between the multiple group studies throughout the week examining it, prison/nursing home visits reading it, teaching and preaching applying it, and constantly hearing it quoted by him, God’s word has never had such an impact on me as it has during these last few days! In 2 Timothy 3:16, the apostle Paul writes: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” There is so much work to be done for Him—He has truly given us everything we need through His word. Why waste another minute doing something for ourselves, when we have such a greater purpose and serve a God who has been so merciful, gracious, and forgiving of us when we’ve fallen short of His glory so many times?

1 Peter 1:24-25

Reading Galatians 5:16-26 has never been so powerful to me than it was today when studying it with the inmates here in the jail. The looks on several faces of those sitting in the same room as us who had broken the law exposed guilt and sadness for what they had done, and where their sin had led them. I think it’s easy for us to look at criminals and comfort ourselves with the assertion that we’re not nearly as bad as they are—when we continue to live our lives in relaxation forgetting the nastiness of our own sins and how unworthy we are before our holy, Heavenly Father who has forgiven us of horrific sins and given us a hope of eternal life with Him.

We may see certain sins as worse because they have greater earthly consequences, but it's all the same to God. If only we could see sin as He sees it.

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke (bondage) of slavery… for you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” – Galatians 5:1, 13 (ESV)

What a blessing to know that despite our sinfulness we have been set free.

in control of all things.

John 14:27

This summer, I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with the Northside Church of Christ in Russellville, KY as a preacher intern—provided with the task of teaching several small group bible studies, visiting/studying with elderly folks in the nursing home, assisting in evangelism efforts in the local jail and community, and preaching God's word on first day of the week assembled together with the members of the church. 

It seems like just yesterday I was frantically running around town looking for a summer job before my first year at Florida College, unaware of what God had planned for my life the next 10 months. Little did I know at the time of how much He would teach me, where He would lead me, and what He would show me in the days to follow.

God is in control. This common phrase became one of the most recurrent expressions around the house as my departure to college quickly approached. Long before it became a purchased wall "decoration" for our bathroom, I started to understand the deeper meaning behind such a simple concept—to me, I wanted things to go my way, but when I was honest with myself, I could surely admit that there was no way I could handle everything on my own. Facing so many decisions and choices, who better to surrender all to than my eternal Father in Heaven?

Proverbs 3:6

Since I arrived in Russellville a week ago, I've come to appreciate the way in which God has (again) further taught me who's really in control. 

The Wrights have generously provided me with a comfortable place to live for the summer. It won't take long before you're captured by her fine culinary creations or his extraordinary stories of farm management over the past 40 years; these two Godly individuals have quickly become my best friends. They both continue to serve others with their time and energy, giving glory to God in all they do. I can't say I have ever become so familiar with farm equipment, crops/planting strategies, or land investments in such a short period of time! 

At first glance, their simple way of life may not come across as anything momentous, but by their humble, sincere, genuine love for each other and the Lord, they illustrate to me the way a real, deeply rooted, established relationship (with a little time) can be. By their example I have learned who to look for in a future wife. It really is possible!

Deuteronomy 28:8

I just recently had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Crawford, an older widow who's been in the nursing home here for quite some time now. During one of our recent conversations, she made the comment, "You sure do seem to know your bible well." Perhaps interrupting her afternoon nap could have prevented her from thinking very clearly to begin with, but what she observed that day really made an impact on me. In reading through the book of Philippians with her, we both gained a better perspective of life and smiled at the thought of how often we'd complained or had a bitter attitude about our circumstances. Truthfully, I don't know my bible as well as I'd like to, but this individual motivated me and challenged not only my thinking, but my goal setting.

At the conclusion of my run before bed each night of the week, I pass by a small home that sits far back off the road. The surrounding houses are all very well lit, and have beautiful gardens with colorful arrangements of flowers. However, I've come to notice that the single street light that illuminates the small home's property flickers on and off inconsistently with no evident pattern of repetition. 

I feel as if this street light resembles myself spiritually over the past few months—the small house and property belonging to it representing the world. In such a dark world, my light hasn't shown to the "wattage" that it should have. Perhaps at times it flickered on for a time, opening doors of opportunity that I may not have taken full advantage of, but wasn't consistent enough to maintain stable habits of talking to others about the LORD on a daily (or weekly) basis, reading my bible and praying, or devoting my time and energy wholeheartedly into serving others. 

Never have I ever been so thankful for a chance to grow and mature than right now. I feel like God has placed me here this summer to be used and challenged in many ways to further His Kingdom and glorify His name. Even after one full week, I can already see how much He's doing in the lives of those around me and in my own personal life. He really knew what He was doing when He blessed me with this incredible, life changing opportunity.

Because of these things, I can live each day knowing He is in control of all things.