October 4 2018 – Click here to listen
I’ve spent quite a lot of time lately just thinking. This morning was one of those times. I have a sign in my home that reads:
Live – Laugh – Love
The most important things in life are not things
I was going to sit down and read the discouraging news of the day and then write Words for the Day, but I happened to walk by the sign and read it. After doing so I abandoned my plan to read the news and instead walked out to the dock in my backyard with fishing rod and reel in my hand. It was still dark, and I got to see the sunrise. I also caught a fish which I released.
I said a prayer to my Lord and Savior and I thanked Him profusely for allowing me to
Live – Laugh – Love and for helping me to understand that the most important things aren’t things. It has taken considerable time for me to attain this point in my life, but I can honestly say that I’m there now. I went up to my plantation in North Florida last week and had a conversation with some hay farmers that have leased some hay fields from me. They were telling me that with all the rain they’ve had near Tallahassee it had made life difficult for them. Every time they try to harvest the hay, rain prevents them from doing so, and it’s having a huge negative financial impact on them.
I felt bad for them and offered to forego their land lease payments to me if they would just mow my roads now and then and keep the place looking nice. They were elated. They were telling me that being a farmer resulted in a rough life sometimes, but they wouldn’t trade it for anything. They spoke of seeing the glory of God in the outdoors every day and how they get to see the handiwork of God’s fingers and their hard work as their crops emerge from the ground through maturity. I believe these guys, who are a grandfather/father/son team, understand that the most important things in life are not things.
In other words, money and material things are not the driving force in their lives. They told me they love their church, their family, and they love their work. Although things get tight sometimes, they have what they need and literally depend on God and the weather for their livelihood. This results in much prayer time as they drive their tractors from sunup until sundown.
I met with a guy some time ago that is well on his way to becoming a billionaire. He was quite the opposite of the farmers. He did not seem to be very happy and in fact was admittedly depressed. He had a drink in his hand the entire time I met with him though it was mid-morning. I feel sorry for him as he has yet to achieve the 3 L’s, (Live – Laugh – Love) of life. It’s never too late to get in on the 3 L’s. Take some time today to go to a park, or a fishing hole, or a walk in the woods and talk to God about it. Take your time. Don’t worry about that next deal, or bills, or anything, just enjoy your time with your Father who loves you. He will lead you to the life you need if you will trust Him with your life, (including your money.)
Psalm 30:11
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy . . .