A blessed nation

When I attended High School we studied about the Roman Empire. It was the ruling authority on most all the earth at one time. We have heard the term “When in Rome do as the Romans do”. The other day as I was parking the car after having driven through the drive through at a local fast food place. I thought to myself ‘the Romans didn’t have it this good’. Since that time I have pondered on the many advantages that we have especially here in America that the Romans in all of their splendor and greatness did not enjoy. I’m sure that they enjoyed many pleasures and had the ‘fat’ of the land. But they certainly did not have all the advantages that we enjoy today. Even the poor are able to enjoy a good portion of ease and providence. Can you imagine traveling by carriage over dusty and broken roads? Think of the wonderful roads and freeways that we enjoy. Think of our automobiles, with all their comforts (radio, cd/video players, air conditioning, heated seats, etc) We can travel in 30 minutes what would have taken them at least a day. Home heating must have been a chore as well as laundry and providing meals. We have access to electricity and gas as well as supermarkets that provide a convenience and array of options that you cannot even imagine. If one got sick in Roman times one of the remedies was blood letting. We certainly have come a long way from those days. We have health care for every malady both real and imagined. Food and nourishment for every type of situation and allergy. We enjoy immunizations that protect us from disease and plague. We don’t have to think too hard to realize that we have many bounteous blessings and opportunities. I don’t assume that too many of us would want to return and live in those conditions and times. Somewhere it is written that ‘where much is given, much is expected’. We certainly are a giving nation. The nations of the earth have been significantly blessed by the generosity of our nation, and our kind people. Yes, most of us enjoy a life richer and far better than our predecessors, which cause our hearts to rejoice and be humble. And yet there are some of those about us who are less fortunate. May we be looking after their welfare and helping where we can to ease their burdens and provide the nurture that they so need. For it is written “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these…………”

Growing People

At the place I work we recently had a new mill manager assigned to work at our facility. After a few days he came by and introduced himself to our work crew. I asked him what his background was and he went into his history and what he felt strongly about. One of the things he said was that he believed in ‘growing people’. This is an interesting term, one that I have heard a number of years ago and I myself believe in. You might ask the question, “What does ‘growing people’ mean? How can we grow people or how can people grow? In essence we are all growing from the time we are born until we depart this life. Our bodies grow from infants to our adult stature, but there is another growing that takes place. Our intellect, knowledge, character, etc are also growing. We are all placed here in ‘earth’s garden’ if you will, to increase in wisdom. Some of us will be one thing and some another. We will have the opportunity to ‘grow’ in many facets of life. A mother for instance will develop her talents in many aspects as she nurtures and cares for her children. She will have the opportunity to grow in so many areas. She will be shaped and guided by many sources, her own mother’s example and other mothers and sisters who have and who are experiencing like things. Men and fathers will have opportunities to grow also in their work and life’s associations. I think that when we put our lives into this type of perspective we might have a little different outlook on our associations with one another. Is how I’m treating or dealing with this person helping them to grow, to be all that they can be in the realm of their current sphere of existence? It is not hard to look back on one’s life to see that there have been those who have nurtured and guided and corrected us to be better, to develop skills and to be a more successful and capable human being and brother or sister in the garden. We in turn are then cognizant of our own responsibility to help another. In this type of atmosphere everyone can grow and develop in the full stature of what we were intended. So if in your work career you find yourself working for a supervisor who has this kind of attitude, you are blessed indeed. And then you will also remember that your supervisor is in the garden him/herself and you have an opportunity to help them grow as well. May we all provide nourishment to one another as we were intended to do!