Dr. Seuss and Christian Gratitude

Some of our favorite children's humorists have been dedicated Christians. Charles Shultz of Peanuts' fame. Fred McFeely Rogers, better known simply as Mr. Rogers. And Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss - to name just a few.

Their upbringing as Christians is easy to see in their writings and performances if you are looking.

Gratitude

A favorite quote of mine about gratitude comes from Dr. Suess:

“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

As our lives march onward, leaving many wonderful things behind us along the way, I think this quote contains important, Godly advice.

As my oldest daughter is in her Senior year of high school. It is a bittersweet moment. I am so happy for her successes, but sad that she is slowly but surely moving away from what was, to what will be.

My Grandfather Patterson passed away a few weeks ago after a long and successful 83 years of life (accepting Christ in his final days). I will miss him - especially in the upcoming holidays.

These are losses that I could dwell on in sadness, or I can embrace them as evidence of God's love to me, and smile that they happened and I got to be there.

The Lord Giveth (Job 1:21a)

What an amazing God! To design a world so full of amazing experiences, relationships, and circumstances. We are continually seeing His loving embrace around us at all times.

From the taste of a strawberry, to the laughing of a baby - these are things that God gives us that enhance and enrich our lives and bring us moments of joy.

The Lord Taketh Away (Job 1:21b)

But a strawberry loses its taste, and babies grow up and move away. So at that point do we curse God for what He has taken away from us or do we "...smile because it happened" at all?

This World is Not My Home

Whether we smile or curse God is really dependent on how we see our lives. If this world is all we have, we will curse God - He took away the only things that give us joy.

But if we understand we are just passing through this life, and these things are just a foretaste of the amazing things God has in store for us, then we can smile with gratitude and anticipation.

The real truth is that strawberries and laughing babies are only meant as temporary pleasures to help us through a dark and sinful world, until we can rest on the bosom of Abraham with all of the Saints who have gone before.

Losses are Real

Yes, losses are real, and they hurt. But in perspective, we should be able to smile through the tears, thankful that a loving God allowed them to happen at all.