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A Matter of Perspective He was already in his sixties. Can you believe it? Over sixty years old. His best years were obviously behind him. Semi retired, just like the old timers he use to wonder about in his better days. As an adult, he had always held at least one full-time job but now he was a part-timer. It was as though he were only partly useful. He just could not work the way he could when he was a younger man. As much as he would like to, he could no longer sleep any later than
5:30 a.m. and awoke each day to face a myriad of aches and pains. His
reality had become blood pressure medicine and the tedious chores of life.
Mowing grass was followed each year by raking leaves and then shoveling
snow. The monotony of maintaining his house and property were only overshadowed
by the fear of a retirement home. His children were grown and they didn’t
visit him as often as he would like. His grandchildren viewed him as an
old man, a very old man. What was left but to finish out what few years
he might have left? He was only in his sixties. Lord willing, some of his greatest adventures and opportunities were still in front of him. Since he retired and only worked a part time job, he had some extra cash and the time to do many of the things he wanted to do. For the first time in his life, he was on his schedule and not that of someone else. Maintaining his house and property were a greater joy now that he was not so pressed with time to get everything done. He could not work at the pace he could when he was younger but he could still outwork most guys half his age. And perhaps for the first time, he could really appreciate the home he was blessed with. Sure, he had some aches and pains and his blood pressure had to be kept under control. But his overall health was great and he was awake each morning by 5:30 to enjoy an early start to another day the Lord had blessed him with. His adult children brought the grandchildren over to his home as often as possible and he had to grin when they quizzed him on the old days. He often wondered what he would do when he became an old man. But, that day was in the future and he would enjoy fully the one he had now. ****** Same person – different perspective. Do we look at life with bitterness or gratitude? Is life a burden or a joy? Every person is faced with trials and every individual is given blessings and opportunities. If we view life with gratitude and hope we will be better, not bitter. “This is the day the
Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” ~ David Berresford ~ ~ ~ The current Studies is entitled “Mom
Always Did Like You Best” - Part
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David Berresford’s first book is a collection of heart-warming true stories that takes us down the well-worn paths of his life: a life that has carried him from a two-room shack in West Virginia, to the farms of backwoods Kentucky, to the halls of a rural elementary school in Ohio. A minister, father, and retired teacher and school principal, David shares his experiences with parenting, ministering, teaching, and even grave-digging. His hilarious, insightful, and often poignant recollections invite you to take a thoughtful look at the places your life has taken you…then embark on your own journey to hope.
Available at The Wooster Book Company or online.
Also available at:
Amish Door Restaurant and Village - Wilmot, OH
Ashland University Bookstore - Ashland, OH
Barnes & Noble - order online or at your local store
Borders - Fairlawn and North Canton, OH
Carlisle Gifts - Walnut Creek, OH
Gospel Book Store - Berlin, OH
Harvest Moon - Berlin, OH
The Wilson Bookstore at The College of Wooster Wooster, OH
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