Now, get this - for several months before our eleventh grandchild, a little boy, was born, I had already started affectionately calling him Theodore or Theo. Anytime our daughter and son-in-law were around, I'd ask, "How is Theodore doing?" Little did I know, that was the baby's actual name! Can you imagine the surprise on their faces when they finally had to pull me aside and ask me to stop using the name, because that was indeed the name they had chosen?
Well, Theodore Fox Songer made his grand entrance into the world on January 14, 2019 at 11:58 AM. My wife, Melinda, had spent the entire night supporting our daughter and son-in-law in the delivery room, while I, having been driven to the point of exhaustion due to Parkinson’s, had to catch some shut-eye in the car. Needless to say, neither of us got much rest that night.
After saying our goodbyes, we embarked on the 2-hour drive back home. To keep myself awake, I started praying for little Theo, and asking the Lord to bless him - especially in light of my own health challenges, including damaged vocal cords and a Parkinson's disease diagnosis. The words "always be grateful" just kept flowing through my mind.
By the time we arrived home, I had received the gift of a brand new song - born on the very same day as my grandson, January 14, 2019. I recorded it the very next day, and our daughter even played it for Theo that same evening. Hearing that he had already listened to the song lifted my heart to heights I cannot even begin to describe.
This song holds such deep significance for me and my family - whether they fully realize it or not. You see, far too often we allow the enemy to shift our focus to what we don't have, rather than appreciating the abundant blessings all around us. And let me tell you, that one perspective leads straight to despair, while the other opens the door to true, abundant life.
By the way, did you know that the name Theodore means "God's gift"? Well, let me tell you, that's exactly what our eleventh grandchild, little Theo, is - a precious gift from God Almighty. And I, my friends, am a truly blessed man.
As the scripture says in Ephesians 5:20, "And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Now, when I say "everything," I mean EVERYTHING - even the challenges, like my Parkinson's diagnosis.
You see, when I dwell on the Parkinson's, I can easily slip into a deep depression. But when I choose to focus on using this as a catalyst to draw even closer to Christ, I find that a wave of pure joy floods my entire being. I have so much to be grateful for, my list is simply too long to bore you with. But the key is this: I choose to focus on what I have, rather than what I don’t.
My greatest joy comes when I shift my focus outward, to the needs of others. That's why I plan to never stop ministering in some way, shape, or form. My best advice? Fix your eyes on Jesus, and not on your circumstances. It's when we keep our gaze steadily on Him that our deepest needs are met.
You see, for me, gratitude is the quickest path to the very center of God's heart, and the surest way to battle depression. Having a grateful heart and attitude is like taking a couple of big, joyful bounces on a diving board. As I express my thankfulness to the Lord, my heart springs high into the atmosphere, soaring over the troubles of life, and plunging me right into the deepest, most intimate place in God's presence.
Through every heartache and hardship, you can instantly reset your attitude by going back to the default settings of a new creation in Christ. It's really quite simple, my friends - have a thankful heart, and always, always be grateful.
Dennis Jernigan
To hear The Dennis Jernigan Podcast of this blog, just go to https://www.patreon.com/posts/always-be-115345283
Photo courtesy of https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/08/13/20/06/flower-887443_1280.jpg