Rainy Days and Mondays...but I'm not Down

Monday again. And August is half over today. I never cease to be amazed at how the time slips by me faster and faster. The days and weeks fly by, and the things I meant to do go with them. I went to bed one night when I was 24, and when I woke up again I was 50. And what happened to all of the years in between? I can't account for all of the time. Mary Chapin Carpenter sings:

A million miles goes by in the blink of an eye
And so I cannot try to slow time down
And years are made of sand slipping through my hands
Even faster than the speed of sound

And so it has been with me. The years of my life have unfurled as if in a dream, and much of what I planned to do with my life has gone undone, and I have fewer years before me than I have behind me. But that's life, I suppose.

Still, I have been very blessed - others would use the word "lucky," but I'm not so foolish as to not give credit where credit is due. I believe in God, I believe He grants us gifts, and I believe He has been very good to me indeed. I have a wife who loves me dearly, children who love me, one grandson living with me and another grandchild on the way, friends who care about me, a good-paying job, a nice home, cars that run, plenty to eat (in fact, too much, as my waistline will attest) and relatively good health, all things considered. Sure, I have my trials - who doesn't? But those trails are minor when compared to the blessings in my life.

So as I sit here this rainy Monday morning, pondering the meaning of life the universe and everything else, I am thankful to the God who made me that I have as much as I do. It is my prayer that we all take a little time this morning to reflect upon the gifts we have been given and the hand that granted them to us, for I know that "the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away." And for what He has given me, I am truly grateful.