What’s up with that? The soloist’s extraordinaire, that person in your choir with the captivating voice, is singing, I won’t complain. After every line, most of the congregation is touched emotionally, and internalizes the song, and they each hear it as it is entirely their song. You know the song, written by the later Rev. Don Johnson of Nashville Tennessee, is titled, “I Won’t Complain!” This is your Monday Short meditation, but I just have to share some of the words that we concur with while the virtuoso voice of the soloist brings relief to the those in the sanctuary and simultaneously reminds each person in the pews of their many blessings.
“I’ve had some good days. I’ve had some hills to climb.
I’ve had some weary days and some sleepless nights
But when I look around and I think things over, all of my good days, out-weigh my bad days
I won’t complain.”
‘’Sometimes the clouds are low, I can hardly see the road. I ask a question, Lord. ‘Lord, why so much pain?” But he knows what’s best for me, although my weary eyes, they can’t see
So I’ll just say thank you Lord, I won’t complain.”
The very next day, typically on a Monday like this one, all the conviction, all the alteration of our attitude change, seems to have vacated us quickly. And instead of adopting the storyline in the song, just a day after verbalizing multiple amens in agreement with the soloist, we get up complaining and not acknowledging our blessings. Well, on this Monday, whether the song was sung this past Sunday, or I just evoked a memory of it being sang, let us get up today, focusing on our blessings and forgetting all the complaining. Let it not be the case that “We Say We Won’t, But We Do.”
You do remember the fundamental principle of impenetrability, that principle that you professor or pedagogical expert in high school presented to you in your science courses, don’t you. I know you do, so I suggest that you apply the principle, “Two things cannot occupy the same space at the same time.” Therefore, I will make the point once more, focus on your blessings and forget all that complaining. Don’t be guilty of “We Say We Won’t, But We do.” Your day will be so much better. By the way, I’m going to respond to my reprimand, right along with you! One more thing in this “Monday Short.” Read the verse below, but also I encourage you to read Psalm 23 in its entirety! Be blessed!
“…my cup brims with blessing.” (Psalm 23:5b)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King