April 25, 2016

What’s Your Attitude?

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

 -- Psalm 100:1-2

Attitude was the topic of yesterday’s sermon. Pastor Danny used Psalm 100 to point out that we should have an attitude of joyfulness as we go through the moments of each day.

Later as we were starting Sunday School Class, we heard joyful music coming down the hall. One of the praise band members was leading the way, playing his guitar, and children of various ages, along with a few adult volunteers, were following behind singing loudly.

Someone jumped up and opened the door and our class joined the singers by clapping to the beat. The line wound around and doubled back. One young boy, who was a little bit taller than some of the other children, was near the back of the line. His arms were tightly cross over his chest and a scowl darkened his face. He was not singing and he was not happy.

We closed the door as the children headed to a different area, then looked at each other, and started laughing hysterically. Those of us who had been in the earlier service explained that the sermon was on attitude. That brought a new round of laughter and it took us a while to get focused on the lesson.

It sure brought home the point of the sermon way better than words ever could. I wonder how many of us go through life with a scowl on our face? We’ve decided life isn’t good, or the day is awful, or whatever that will bring us down and -- surprising -- we have a bad day.

Attitude does determine so much of how our life turns out. It’s that age-old cliché “Is the glass half-full or half-empty?” It’s a choice. We can see a life of possibilities or a life of defeat.

A friend recently noted that his mother is in town for an extended stay. He splurged and subscribed to the baseball channel so she could watch her team. Did she appreciate it? Nope. Her team was losing and she was unhappy. So much for thankfulness.

We’re all like that sometimes. We’re so busy wallowing in what’s wrong that we miss what’s right. We forget to be thankful. We forget to be joyful. We forget to delight in the Lord.

What’s your attitude? You might surprise yourself.