Early Monday morning I had found some old records and a record player that I brought for my second oldest son in 1981, a small Sesame Street model. I wanted to use it in a mentoring exercise where the children attending our church’s mentoring and tutoring session would play a Hot Potato game that required the student holding the potato when the music stopped to give some advice for behavioral situations they will face, especially in the summer months, but actually, during the rest of the year too. I thought the old record player would catch their eye along with the records that came from the 1960-1970 time period. The mentors, bless their souls, would identify with some of them, and certainly would have flashbacks to their teenage years. I ran into a technical difficult when I tested the Sesame Street record player. It did not have a needle. My third oldest son let me know he had a turntable in the garage, still in the box and I could use it. As I was testing it in the dining room, my son, my wife, and myself listened to an old 45 record by William DeVaughn entitled, “Be Thankful For What You Got.” That’s when the dance party started. I’ll tell you more about it in a minute. But here are some of Mr. DeVaughn’s recorded lyrics.
“Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac, gangsta whitewalls, TV antennas in the back
You may not have a car at all
But remember brothers and sisters you can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you got
Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Diamond in the back, sunroof top, digging the scene with a gangsta lean”
The three of us started creating a dance for the latter two lines, making movements that match driving a great big Cadillac, creating the shape of a diamond with our hands as we danced in our places, moving our hands over our head to make a sunroof top, and of course acting as we were leaning to the right as we were driving a car. It was fun. It was hilarious, really. But the emphasis we focused on after our private dance party was, “Be thankful for what you got.”
Whether you tell Alexa our Siri to play the old record so you can have you own private dance party, have a praise party, thanking God for what you got! Don’t focus on what you do not have, but rather on what the Lord has blessed you with at the moment. More blessings are in store. Be blessed!
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King
Amen, Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4
Yes! Yes! And thank God, you back up your words with your worship! Be blessed!
Amen. This is good to remember the blessings God has provided rather than focus on what you think is missing. Thank you, Lord.
Amen! Your comment reminds me of how I would have the kids hold out their hand with nothing and ask them what they saw. They would respond, “Nothing.” Then I would place a small coin in their hand and ask them what they saw. Before they could answer, I would say “Something!” Yes, Dr. G., we must focus on the blessings we do have. Be blessed!