Date: 11/20/2007
<br>Author: Devin Pickard
<br>Title: November 21, 2007
<br><br>Shame on me.  A few days ago, I invited myself to a pity party that I occasionally throw in my honor.  As usual, this bash was the result of something earth-shattering.  My sufferings are great…..like me not getting to go eat where I wanted to or something like…..I don’t know….maybe a black and gold team missing a 49 yard field goal that would have beaten a certain bright orange team…..those little moments that alter the course of one’s life.  Regardless of what the occasion was, I’m sure I forgot about it the next day.  Then it happened.  Right in the middle of me getting ready to blow out the candles that I had lit for myself, the Lord set me straight.  I happened to notice out of the corner of my eye a woman carrying a boy in her arms, perhaps her son.  Now keep this in mind, it wasn’t a mother carrying her newborn child or even a toddler.  This lady was carrying a young boy that had to be 11 or 12 years old who obviously had some type of debilitating condition both physically and mentally.  As I stood there and watched, I began wondering what this family’s life must be like.  I could only imagine that much of their time and energy was spent caring for their precious boy who couldn’t care for himself.  Chances are, he will probably require this type of assistance for the rest of his life.  <br><br>Then I looked around and saw my own 3 children.....and I felt about as big as this dot (.)  They were running around under their own power on their two good legs.  They were screaming at the top of their good sets of healthy lungs.  They were able to see.  They were able to hear.  They were able to function as “normal” kids.  It was as if God hit me with a sucker punch below the belt….and man did I deserve it.  Here I was, upset about some little trivial thing, and my Maker decided to, once again, open my eyes and remind me of just how good I’ve got it.  I kept waiting for a hole to open up in the ground and swallow me up.  Again, shame on me. <br><br>This Thanksgiving, most of us will sit around a table overflowing with more food than some people in the world will see in an entire year.  We will get a chance to share that meal with precious friends and family.  We will sit underneath a sturdy roof with warm clothes on our backs and expensive cars in the drive way.  We will watch a little football, fall asleep, then get up and eat again.  We will then repeat the process two or three more times before days end.  The next day, many of us will swim in a sea of shoppers.  We will complain about long lines, heavy traffic and high prices.  And yet, we will spend more money on Christmas gifts than many people will make in a year.  An average person living in Solmalia will make $ 600 this year.   Now, who has the right to be complaining?<br><br>Ruby was just having an impromptu tea party and served me some wonderful tea (water) in a little green plastic coffee cup.  You know, she might have an excuse for not realizing how blessed she is because she’s only 3.  Sure, she complains from time to time about Jordan looking at her the wrong way or because she can’t wear her plastic Cinderella shoes to dayschool.  But in general, she’s pretty contented.  She’s not too terribly concerned with keeping up with the Jones’s.  Nothing very traumatic happens to her that can’t be cured with a big hug and a kiss.  I think I will leave her a pretty good tip for the tea.  She’s teaching me far more than she will ever know. <br><br>        Hope you and your family have a safe and happy Thanksgiving....May God bless<br>                                                  <br><br>Go the extra mile - Devin<br>