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I grow increasingly weary of the negativity in the world, on this blog and others, on Facebook, even in my very soul. It it time to say, "Enough."
Do not speak to me of politics, nor the economy, nor of the many evils which you perceive in the world. There is much to be thankful for, far more than we see in the negativity which surrounds us.
Politicians and businessmen will not save you, they never could, they never will.
Lighten up Francis, enough with the negative waves already.
Have a little faith, neh? Your time here will end soon enough, the sky is not falling. It will fall when He wills it.And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Matthew 14:28-31 (KJV)
And not one single day before.
The wind is boisterous as of late...
This too shall pass.
Amen.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving Sarge and to all who read here. It'll be a day to give thanks for those I love and for waking up to another morning and for all that I have.
ReplyDeleteGratitude is an attitude that must be practiced I have found. So, especially on days when it seems very dark and gloomy, I think about all I have to be grateful for. A warm roof over my head, trees to cut up to help keep it warm, lots of birds/squirrels around to amuse, lots of clean fresh water overflowing from the well.
ReplyDeleteA husband who loves me, even when I drive him nuts, and vice versa, (Happy Anniversary, honey, a day early) Family and friends, both of whom safely arrived at their turkey day destinations. A job that I enjoy (most days), clear dry roads to drive on, lots of food in my fridge and pantry to feed us and all who drop by. Money in the bank to be able to go Christmas shopping with, just not until after Friday.
A daughter-in-law who is pregnant, so I may yet be a Gramma. Lots of good books to read, a TV I can watch, or not, as I choose. The fact that although I am not thrilled with much I see going on politically, I keep reminding myself that the late 60's were pretty nerve wracking as well, and yet, we, as a country, are still here, more than 50 years later. So hopefully it will still be here when the little one gets to be my age. Do I want bad things to happen? Nope. Not at all. But, if they do, I am thankful I do have skills, and tools, to deal with those situations as well.
And I am grateful for all the folks here, on this blog, and this interwebz thingy, who put thoughts out there for me to read, think about, and respond to. I recognize we have a huge blessing in being able to connect with folks we otherwise would never even knew existed.
Even when dealing with family members you would rather not...after all Thanksgiving only comes once a year, as I remind myself when my feet are killing me after having made 3 pies to take to the in-laws.
A Happy Thanksgiving to all here.
Mini-congrats to your daughter-in-law for her pregnancy, and to you for your imminent grandparent-hood. Let us all work so that the future is brighter for your grand-child-to-be.
DeleteI'm making a pumpkin and a pecan for tomorrow. Christmas will be a mincemeat and a pumpkin, and New Years will be a cherry pie and banana pudding with vanilla wafers. Nothing says Holidays like pie (and, because, SOUTH, banana pudding, too.) Cakes are for special occasions but pies and nanner puddin are for the big days.
Thanks Beans.
DeleteShe had a miscarriage last year, so we are all crossing fingers and toes that things go aright this time.
Old AFS is always bragging on his grands, so I have high hopes about being a Grammy...but I am not a nagger about it. If it happens, I will be thrilled. If it isn't in the cards, I can deal...I will just spoil other folks grands. :)
Never has banana pudding...have to check it out. Now, cake...chocolate!! is for birthdays.
Yum. But, yes, pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
The correct recipe involves:
Delete1 large bowl, like a casserole bowl. Bonus if it's clear glass.
1 bunch of bananas, not too ripe
1 box of Vanilla wafers (or more if you like nilla wafers.)
2 boxes of must-cook vanilla pudding (and milk, of course.)
Layer layers of banana slices and vanilla wafers until you run out of both.
Cook the pudding, pour cooked pudding into the casserole, and shaking said bowl until all the air rises. Pour until at least all the wafers and banana slices are covered.
Cover said bowl with clear saran wrap, chill. Keeps for several days in the fridge. (Exposed naners will get ucky looking, but they eats, and you can always give the ucky looking ones to the least favorite person... :) )
As to your daughter, I had a feeling from the way you wrote what you did. Prayers to you and yours.
Positive Badger Waves towards your Daughter in Law, Suz! Make and enjoy banana pudding! It is eaten with great satisfaction in Wisconsin, too!
DeleteSarge, A Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteFaith: The exercise is useless if the object we put our faith in is powerless, weak or entirely human. But faith the size of a mustard seed in the Creator, is mighty indeed. You are absolutely correct in keeping our eyes on the Lord, and trusting in Him.
ReplyDeleteGrattitude: I was sitting in my warm bath this morning, thanking God for water... warm water.... Not just a lucky break that we have that stuff. Add a bit of energy to water, and cleanliness is comfortable. Add a lot of energy, and the industrial revolution breaks out. One person can do the work of two hundred and get 200 person's pay, too!!
Ditto Suz: I'm thankful for you guys on here. You make me think, you are entertaining, and I have a new group of folks to measure up to. I appreciate that. (I need that) It was no accident that I stumbled over here...
Merry Thanksgiving!
As is often the case, reading your latest post provoked some serious thoughts. In this case, the first thing that came to mind were the words of Christ in Matthew 16:18. "And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it."
ReplyDeleteThe implication here being that the legions streaming forth from the gates of Hell will most surely try. But they will not prevail. Christ assures us that the final victory is His.
Also coming to mind was Christ's admonition of Peter upon his request that He spare himself the ultimate trial the Lord had set forth for Him. "Get behind me, Satan! Thou art a scandal unto me: because thou savourest not the things that are of God, but the things that are of men."
It is not for us to choose the nature of the times in which we live, nor the trials we are meant to endure. We cannot despair.
{16:24} Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
{16:25} For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it.
{16:26} For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul?
{16:27} For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works.
Trust in that.
Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteKeeping a positive attitude doesn’t mean you have to be a Pollyanna.
You just don’t have to be sucked into the gloom.
Ouch. No worries. You've offered me a place to write, and these thoughts I have are easy for me to share, but I do no need to, especially if they offend my humble host. I will curtail my part-time political pontificating post haste!
ReplyDeleteI have tried to not share the darkness, as that path is easy to step onto and full of wrath and anger. Plus, well, they have better cookies and I love cookies.
ReplyDeletePlease, all, have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving, and may you be around people that make life better for you. Watch out for the crazies while travelling, and enjoy the crazies around the dinner table.
I am sorry for any negativity I have brought to this blog; I shall endeavor to not do that henceforth. Happy and safe Thanksgiving to one and all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post.
Paul L. Quandt
Enjoy your weekend, Paul. It being Thanksgiving, do I get a few days of not worrying when Paul will come check my preps? :) One of these days you must get our noble host to let you write a guest post on some of the more hilariously funny survival stories I know are lurking in your mind.
DeleteLike: My dad, when prepping for SERE, traded all the C-rat stuff he didn't like for pork-and-beans, and using his Cajun magic, managed to trap/kill enough small game he ended up 2 pounds heavier than when he started. His survival teachers, he related to me, were not amused.
I am also very thankful that, because of worrying about Paul coming and checking my preps, my paranoia has been focused and controlled. Thanks for being such a good ethereal friend, sir.
Delete"..worrying about Paul coming and checking my preps..." I would not worry, were I you. I have no idear of where to even start looking to check your preps.
DeletePaul
"Thanks for being such a good ethereal friend, sir."
DeleteAnd right back at you, sir.
Paul
Oh, and I am thankful that we all here survived another year and managed to keep each other sane and healthy. If it wasn't for you all, well, dark place and cookies, as referenced above.
ReplyDeleteLove you all, have a great Thanksgiving!
ReplyDelete"Love you all, have a great Thanksgiving!"
DeleteRight back at you.
Paul
Happy day to all herein. Blessings need to be counted and thanks given. Join me!
ReplyDeleteThank You, and Love to you, and your family! And the same to all here!
ReplyDeletePsalm 145 (Septuagint) "Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord in my life, I will chant unto my God for as long as I have my being. Trust ye not in princes, in the sons of men, in whom there is no salvation. His spirit shall go forth, and he shall return unto his earth. In that day all his thoughts shall perish."
ReplyDeleteThe Evlogitaria, Psalm 135: O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods; for His mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the Lord of lords; for His mercy endureth for ever. To Him Who alone hath wrought great wonders; for His mercy endureth for ever. To Him that made the heavens with understanding; for His mercy endureth for ever. To Him that established the earth upon the waters; for His mercy endureth for ever. To Him Who alone hath made great lights; for His mercy endureth for ever. The sun for dominion of the day; for His mercy endureth for ever. The moon and the stars for dominion of the night; for His mercy endureth for ever. To Him that smote Egypt with their firstborn; for His mercy endureth for ever. And led forth Israel out of the midst of them; for His mercy endureth for ever. With a strong hand and a lofty arm; for His mercy endureth for ever. To Him that divided the Red Sea into parts; for His mercy endureth for ever. And led Israel through the midst thereof; for His mercy endureth for ever. And overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea; for His mercy endureth for ever. To Him that led His people through the wilderness; for His mercy endureth for ever. To Him that smote great kings; for His mercy endureth for ever. And slew mighty kings; for His mercy endureth for ever. Seon, king of the Amorites; for His mercy endureth for ever. And Og, king of the land of Basan; for His mercy endureth for ever. And gave their land for an inheritance; for His mercy endureth for ever. An inheritance for Israel His servant; for His mercy endureth for ever. For in our humiliation the Lord remembered us; for His mercy endureth for ever. And redeemed us from our enemies; for His mercy endureth for ever. He that giveth food to all flesh; for His mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of heaven; for His mercy endureth for ever."
When things are good, praise God. When things are bad, praise God.
A Happy Thanksgiving to Clan OAFSarge and all those who dwell herein. Let us all give thanks for what we have and pray for a brighter tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI hope that all enjoyed a Thanksgiving as they like it. In my case it involves family and friends and even if some are missing from the table, all are remembered. I have since I was young, enjoyed a lighter approach to the world although my girlfriend when I was 16 brought me up short when she told me that I have a streak of sarcasm a mile wide. I reserve that now for politics and to date only one astute observer saw the underlying point to the humor and she got the sarcasm. Oddly enough, she is from Portugal and English is her second or 5th language. Darn those Europeans, it's like they speak half a dozen languages fluently!!! It's OK, as long as they speak the language of reason.
ReplyDeleteHope one and all had a great Thanksgiving, I returned to the homeland, dined with family, reminisced of times gone by and generally had a good time. But oh dear was it freaking cold. Single digits, at times with a minus sign in front. Now we're back in toasty Little Rhody, where it didn't get below 10 and is now a very balmy 31° (Fahrenheit, natürlich).
ReplyDeleteFor the record, Tuna's post didn't offend nor vex me, but it did get me to thinking (which all y'all are good at, even if it makes my head hurt). But I did want to take a stand against negativity in general, both here and abroad, so to speak. Especially as the holiday most dear to me approaches.
No harm, no foul. (Also for the record, Paul Q has a curmudgeon "get out of jail free" pass, so he can be as cantankerous as he wishes. Age has certain privileges around here. And heck, Paul is old enough to be, well, my older brother.)