A Sheer Gift

A story is told about a cowboy who was driving down a dirt road out west. His dog was riding in back of the pickup truck and his faithful horse was in the trailer behind. Failing to negotiate a sharp curve, the truck slid off the road and flipped over.

A highway patrol officer came on the scene shortly thereafter. An animal lover, he saw the horse first and realizing the serious nature of its injuries, he drew his service revolver and put the animal out of his misery. He walked around the accident and found the dog, also hurt critically. He couldn’t bear to hear it whine in pain, so he ended the dog’s suffering as well. Finally he located the cowboy, who suffered multiple fractures. “Hey, are you okay?” the trooper asked. The cowboy took one look at the smoking revolver in the man’s hand and quickly replied, “Never felt better Sir!”

This story makes me smile. It just reminds me that sometimes, when things are put into perspective, our whole outlook on life changes.

Several years ago, a friend had a tumor removed from his shoulder. Not long after, suffered a terrible sports injury and then went through a bout of depression. Emerging from all that, his whole attitude on life changed. He says he feels much more grateful just to be alive, and much more grateful for each moment with family and friends. Minor crisis and temporary setbacks don’t seem to faze him like they once did.

Today, let us each give thanks to God for the gift of life itself. We are here to enjoy another moment with a friend, to hear the birds sing, and to delight in being alive.

Let us pray: Loving God, there are moments when life feels dark, and we carry heavy burdens.  I pray that you would meet each of us at the deepest point of our need. Fill us with your Spirit. Heal us and mend us and renew in us a spark of life. Enable us to see this day for what it is – a sheer gift. In Jesus name. Amen.