Optimist’s Roundtable
By Martha Sykes
Listening to the radio this one morning, they wanted people to call in and finish this sentence: “After I went to church on Sunday, I felt..,”
My mind instantly went to the word “grateful”.
As I listened to the news that morning, I was reminded of how thankful I am to live in Pennsylvania!! I saw pictures of the storms in different parts of the country, fires burning uncontrollably, disaster in Thailand from the earthquake, and the effects of all of these things. All I could think was that we can only imagine what people go through in the midst of these catastrophes, and then I feel a great deal of gratitude that I can feel safe where I am!!
Sometimes we take it for granted that all is going to be OK, but if we look around us, it makes us realize that life can change in a moment. We are blessed in this part of the country to have our mountains of protection that surround us!! We are also blessed with a God who knows what is going on everywhere!!
As we watch the stories unfold around the world in the disasters that happen, the most important thing we can do is pray for those who are hurting, those who have lost loved ones, or lost their homes, and appreciate what we have.
So, going to church on that day made me feel grateful. It has been said that starting out the day with a grateful heart and a positive outlook will bring happiness your way!!
