"..eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
We had a parakeet that was always an optimist. He had a cranky, unhealthy mate who rarely showed kindness to him. He was enthusiastic with her anyway; bobbing his head up and down as if trying to encourage her to join in the fun of living. After she died suddenly, his attitude recovered in a short period of time and he was enjoying us as his family again. He started suffering from a sickness that the vet could not properly diagnose and died a very slow death. Even on his last day, he still tried to act enthusiastic and loving, but did not have the strength to move very well. It was very sad to lose a pet like that. What a good example!
It came to me one day that he was the "Ronald Reagan of birds". Remember Ronald Reagan? For those who are too young, President Reagan was ALWAYS optimistic. He faced the down the dread of Communism, the impossibly obstinate US Media, opposing deceitful politicians and the continual enmity from nations in the world who habitually hate Israel and the USA. He did it with kindness and a smile that would light up the room and lift everyone's attitude that could see him.
I don't know how to get there, but it is something to try for. I understand that we will see Ronald Reagan when we arrive in the Lord's presence. So, he had something something that I also possess which gave him all the motivation he needed to act the way he did. I believe God wants us to be aware of, and live in, the enjoyment of His love with the understanding of what He has prepared for us - ALL THE TIME.
Those of us who believe have sure eternal life. We are a kingdom of priests. We have the most powerful Being in the whole universe waiting with bated breath to come for us to take us out of this world of darkness to the light of love, perfect goodness, untold wealth and an eternity of exploring the depths of His riches. Never a dull moment. Never a fleeting moment of sadness. Full understanding and full joy awaits us. The King of Kings will take His rightful throne and we will be His bride. There WILL be true justice. Evil will not appear to win anymore - forever.
As a brother recently said, "If we live in the good of what we know as believers, the world will beat a path to our door." Everyone wants to hang around with a guy with a good attitude like Ronald Reagan. Where did he get it from? It was a gift from God, but it took faith and dependence on God.
(New Note from Editor 5/5/09: News flash from today... Ronald Reagan's political party says, "It's time to leave Reagan behind." - Yikes!)
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