PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

December 28, 2022

OUR ATTITUDES

Last week Cooper Dawson had a news conference to announce where he would be attending college.  Cooper had invited Kingsley Feinman to help him with the announcement.  The two had been friends since there freshman year at Hanahan High School in South Carolina.  Kinglsley was born with cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheel chair.  After Cooper whispered in Kingsley’s ear his choice, Kinglsey made the official announcement.

The summer before his senior year Cooper tore his MCL at a football camp.  Now both friends were unable to walk.  Reflecting on the experience Cooper said, “My own disability was not being able to walk because of a torn ligament.  If Kingsley can have cerebral palsy and go around and have a positive attitude with everything he does, then I should be able to do the same.”

Just before the announcement Cooper said “Kingsley taught him the only disability is a bad attitude.”  Dawson’s observation is a reminder that we may not be able to control outward circumstances but we have a say about our response to what happens.  Our attitude can make a situation better or worse.

In the scriptures we find several passages concerning attitudes. “A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.” (Prov. 15:13) “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.” (Prov. 17:22)  “Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.” (Phil. 2:14)

“For I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty.  In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being needy.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:11b-13)

The year 2018 was filled with stories of people who maintained a positive and upbeat approach to life in spite of dealing with difficult circumstances.  Their attitude enriched any situation in which they might find themselves. Many of you remember the Purdue University student Tyler Trent whose story of struggle with cancer and his love of the Boilermakers was told when Purdue played Ohio State in football.  He was this year’s winner of the Disney Spirit Award.  Tyler was singled out for his character, energy, and passion.

Many things will happen in 2019.  Some of them will be good and others not so good.  There will be some over which we have little control.  However, there is one thing over which we will have control: our attitude.  As you are making your New Year’s resolution you many want to include having a positive and uplifting attitude.  And remember the word of Paul from his letter to the Philippians.  You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you.

(This article was originally published December 30, 2018.)