IT’S NO PROBLEM WHEN…

When I graduated from high school, I was blessed to get a job as the Film Librarian at a local TV station. The title sounds big, but the title was not reflective of the pay, $1.75 an hour. As a side note, in addition to the pay, they paid 50% of my college tuition for four years, allowing me to graduate in four years while working full-time. So, I have to be forever grateful to the station.

I’m not bragging, by no means, but I might have been the top user of the vending machine at the station. On many a day, I would buy a sausage and biscuit sandwich in the morning, and a can of beans and weenies for lunch. Admit it, you remember those little sealed cans. Well, that was back then, or perhaps you would say, “back when.” But let me tell you about the last couple of weeks.

My wife went to the west coast to spend time with two of our sons and their families last week. I cook, but when it is just me, I don’t like to apply my culinary skills. So, I buy a couple of packages of beef hot dogs and a small container of potato salad and of course, a small container of baked beans. At the grocery store, I shared my meal plan with another person, and they asked was I going to be alright eating such a meager meal for so many days. My response, looking back at my days at the TV station, “I have learned to be content.”

I am sharing this story with you merely as a set up to tell you that if you are going through tough times or whenever you do go through rough times, and after a period follows where things are great economically, learn something. Learn what may be of value when the tough and/or rough times pay you a visit again, in the future.  If you are asking, “What should I learn?” – just consider the words that I shared with the person in my conversation described above. Better yet, consider the words of the Apostle Paul below, taken from the inspired word of God. You will be able to say, whatever you go through as you trust in God, our Provider, “It’s no problem when…. “ Smile! Have a Sunny day, even if the clouds hide the rays from the sun. Be blessed!

“Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13 NASB)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King