BETTER THAN

Uncategorized 0 Comments

Today was busy day with mowing my lawn, a palliative care nurse visit and my physical therapy appointment. Therapy went well and was a good workout. I had a little challenge when I stopped at a local Starbucks to use the restroom and found that I didn’t have the strength I thought I had to get into the store using just my walker. Fortunately some folks came to my rescue and helped me out and go me on my way once again.

I was pleased that I was able to connect with my cousin Paul Cole and his wife Ruth. They are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year. These Colorado natives are living in Tennessee and loving it! Ruth recently went through a health crisis with her heart but is on the mend and we are thankful for answered prayers. Paul and Ruth came and met me at the Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital after my therapy appointment. I appreciate that they made special accommodations to see me while they were visiting my aunt and other relatives of Ruth’s in Greeley. (Picture above Paul and Ruth and me) Paul is one of 39 first cousins on my mother’s side of the family.

 BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….“I can guarantee this truth: Those who believe in me will do the things that I am doing. They will do even greater things because I am going to the Father.”  John 14:12

“ I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper who will be with you forever.”       John 14:16

The old Boy Scout motto is, “leave the campground better than you found it.” That concept applies to many areas of life and can serve as a great challenge. In what you do, in your relationships do you apply the “better than” principle? Do you leave people better than you found them? Do your words encourage or drag down? Are you aware of your surroundings and take imitative or do you say someone else will take care of that?

As Jesus prepared to go the cross and leave His disciples He reassured them that they would be “better off?”  Why? He promised them that they would do even greater things because He was going to His Father in heaven. That in itself is difficult to imagine when we see just the few recorded miracles of Jesus, His teachings and His obedience to the Father.

Jesus promised this would be possible because of the work of the Holy Spirit. The disciples would have “another helper.” This is not just “another” that is different. This is a helper that will be to the disciples what Jesus had been to them. The Holy Spirit would be with them always and would be in them.

I am thankful that God’s work in our lives always leaves us “better than” we were. We see this everyday through the ministry of Teen Challenge. One of our recent graduates from House of Promise for women wrote this poem which describes her life and anyone who has overcome addictions through the power of Christ’s grace, forgiveness and the work of the Holy Spirit.

1.  I walk down the street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I am lost…I am helpless.  It isn’t my fault.  I fall in.  It takes forever to find a way out. 

2.  I walk down the street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I pretend I don’t see it.  I fall in again.  I can’t believe I am in the same place.  But, it isn’t my fault.  It still takes a long time to get out. 

3.  I walk down the street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I see it there.  I still fall in…it’s a habit.  My eyes are open.  I know where I am.  It is my fault.  I get out immediately.

4.  I walk down the same street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I walk around it. 

5.  I walk down another street. 

Jenny’s mom added a sixth stanza when she announced: 

“Number 6 – Jenny is paving a new road for herself and her children!” 

Now that is a vivid description of experiencing something “better than” what has ever been known.

Â