2014 WOW

Wow! I do not know how you feel but to me the year 2014 came and went very fast. It seems the older I get the faster time goes. When you are young time seems to drag, but now it is in hyper speed mode.

I was just reflecting on the past twelve months and seeing the financial, professional, emotional and physical impacts both positive and negative, I absorbed. Through it all I am grateful and thankful because He bought me through it. I am constantly learning to first be grateful and content. An attitude of gratitude is important because it causes you not to focus on your lack but on your abundance. My wife and I was just in a conversation today about how we know some people who have everything one could want, money, expensive cars, a beautiful huge house, community influence, but there is no peace in the home. Chaos abounds. We were saying although we are experiencing a need in some areas, we were grateful for peace, love and contentment and gratitude for what He has done. Yes sometimes we look at the prosperity of others and how they seem to have all the earthly things you might desire and let’s be honest you desire those things also and that is not necessarily wrong. It becomes an issue when we begin to accuse the Father unjustly. We must understand that the blessing of this realm is temporary, whether we are a believer or not. Nothing we accumulate can we take with us. That is the sad truth that many in “powerful” positions fail to understand as they pad their personal treasure vault knowingly abusing those who should receive the same benefit. The “trickle down” scenario was espoused to “trick” those who were already down. Yet, Paul says be content in whatever state you find yourself. Easy? No… here is what he wrote… “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Did you see it? He says, “For I have learned”. It is not a natural automatic attitude. It is something that you LEARN. This learning can come through trial and error. It can come from looking at other’s plight. It can come through life experiences. Time and circumstances (both good and bad) are EXCELLENT teachers believe me.

One thing that was highlighted to me in 2014 was the vast number of manufacture’s recalls. Within the last eight months or so of 2014 there had been a rash number of automobile recalls, baby furniture recalls, food recalls illustrating at defectiveness within the product. When I look at the automobile recalls I find that the manufacturers range from average standard model Ford, Chrysler, GM products to Mercedes and Lexus. Just recently within the last month my wife who happens to drive a Lexus was also recalled for a possible defect that could cause an engine fire within the gaskets space. The causes, the reasons for these recalls can be very varied. It could be because defective materials are made in the parts or it could be a defective design within the part. For instance just this week I got notice of a recall for my car’s airbags because of defective and substandard parts. Apparently the airbags could, without provocation go off it and pose a danger. It could fire shrapnel of plastic and metal seriously injuring the occupants of the car therefore causing more damage than the accident itself. Detailing the deficient, defective unreliability of the product is only half the problem. Yes, the manufacturer or the companies issuing the recalls have only done their part, however the greater part is on those who possess the product. It is their responsibility to contact to get in contact with the manufacturer rep or the company and follow the instruction outline in order to have a bad defective part replaced or improved up on. Whatever the case would inquire it wouldn’t do the owner of the product any good to know of the recall and yet not take the product in to have the defective part replaced or refurbished. It is by doing that possible serious injury can be avoided or maybe even a life saved. So I should seek to contact my creator to “turn myself” in and over to Him knowing that He has what I stand in need of.

To me 2014 and even 2015 is a reminder, a recall to my spirit the ultimate truth that HE IS IN CONTROL. And in that truth should my gratefulness, and contentment lie.

The weight to question and complain is noticeable, but flowing from my heart is gratefulness. He spared my children and their families, I am grateful. He has given me a praying wife who loves the Father, and me and my “ways”, grateful. He is my provider, grateful. I am still employed, grateful. Do I have everything I desire? No. Have I understood the path He designated? No. But I recognized I am ALWAYS in HIS hands, so name me a better, more safer and secure place to be, I’ll wait!!

What did 2014 teach you, reveal to you and present to you? You are here for a reason. Your purpose has not been accomplished. So bring on 2015. I smell VICTORY ahead. Impact your country, city, and neighborhood, home…for the glory of God.