Chappy’s On Eagle’s Wings
Attitude Check!
by Ron Ringo
It has been reported that during some of the most difficult days of World War II, Winston Churchill said the following words to inspire his people: “Let us… brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire… lasts for a thousand years, men will still say; “This was their finest hour.” What will you do in your finest hour?
With the continuing war and constant threat of war, terrorism, daily struggles, work, family responsibilities and an endless list of to do’s… we all may face a time we call our finest hour. How will we respond?
Every year, every month, every day, hour and minute are times of new beginnings. Maybe that is the reason that God closes the day with the curtain of night to put an end to the day that is done. It has been said, “All of your yesterdays ended last night. It makes no difference how long you’ve been alive, they’re all ended. This day is absolutely new. You’ve never lived it before.” What an opportunity!
However, an old Chinese proverb says that, “people in the West are always getting ready to live.” Does this possibly sound familiar or ring true in your life? Are we waiting to live until we have the lives we are planning for or want them to be? Thomas la Mance said, “Life is what happens to us while making other plans.<\em>” Even though our present day may be difficult, we will be better served if we try to enjoy the here and now. Our finest hour may come as we do this and strive to help others do the same.
When life seems hard, work boring, and maybe our relationships ever challenging, it might be time to try a different angle of approach on the situation or issue. It is said that how we look at things in our world, and the people in it, is a reflection of ourselves. A poem I heard before gives this great meaning.
“I knelt to pray when day was done
And prayed, “O Lord, bless everyone;
Lift from each saddened heart the pain,
And let the sick be well again.”
And then I woke another day
And carelessly went on my way;
The whole day long, I did not try
To wipe a tear from any eye.
I did not try to share the load
Of any brother on the road;
I did not even go to see
The sick man, just next door to me.
Yet, once again, when day was done,
I prayed, “O Lord, bless everyone.”
But as I prayed, into my ear
There came a voice that whispered clear:
“Pause now, my daughter (son), before you pray;
Whom have you tried to bless today?
God’s sweetest blessings always go
By hands that serve Him here below.”
And then I hid my face and cried,
“Forgive me, God, I have not tried.
Let me but live another day,
And I will live the way I pray.”
No matter what sorrows weigh us down or tears we may spill at night on our pillow, joy can come to each of us all in every new morning. Norman Vincent Peale’s lifelong motto was, “Trust God and live one day at a time.” After all, life is just a collection of days, minutes and hours. Your finest hour may be just ahead in one of life’s little challenges.
Christopher Columbus had to have the type of attitude we should embrace in our life. He was scoffed at and ridiculed for his beliefs and desire of wanting to sail around the earth. Yet through his taking “one day at a time,” his finest hour came, he was finally financed and we are the direct beneficiaries of his efforts. The rest is history, and thanks to him and others like him, today we have this great country that we love.
This month as we enjoy the celebration and remembrance of Columbus’ accomplishments, we want to remember that it was done through his ability to keep the right attitude and determined faith in his God. May we be ready for the finest hours in our life, with the proper attitude, is my prayer for us all this week.
It is my hope that this message will help you to, “mount up as on eagle’s wings”, and renew a little of your strength to keep moving forward and find joy…
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Until next time, may God bless you and may God continue to bless this great country. SEMPER FI
Chaplain Ringo, is the Command Chaplain at MCRD H&S BN, holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Counseling, and is a Certified Trauma Specialist.
Chaplain Ringo is a good friend and supporter of HealthWalk’s. We are grateful that he is working with us on our integrated total health approach to enhancing and restoring our veterans’ resilience for re-engagement and for their transition from the high operational tempo back to their families and civilian life.