Hallelujah Good

In a world where there is so much bad news and tragic things people have to endure and cope with we need to hear some good news and we need to celebrate the small blessings in life as well as the big ones.

This past Sunday evening, as we were visiting with dear friend from Paradise who made a surprise visit, after the evening worship service, a lady from our church dropped by and left a loaf of homemade bread given as a gift from her mother in law. There was a card with the bread affirming our call to this church and appreciation for our ministry here.

I used that bread to make toast a few days later and Turner took one bite of that bread and shouted, “This is hallelujah good!” We all laughed around the table. That little comment has had me thinking over the past few days. Why don’t we enjoy the everyday blessings of God more? God’s goodness is all around us. There are multiple blessings we take for granted over and over again.

Just this morning I dropped by the donut shop to get breakfast for Brenda and me. One our church members was there buying donuts for her daughter who is celebrating her birthday today also. When I tried to pay she insisted that she was buying mine. She was adamant and pushed my hand away with the money to purchase my order. She persisted so strongly that it was embarrassing as people were in line behind us. I submitted. I left with prayer under my breath thanking the Lord for such loving people and for His blessing.

I experienced this same type thing over and over in Paradise. Unexpected and surprised blessings came in every form. In fact, I am still receiving blessings from Paradise. When our friend came to visit us recently from there he brought two coconut cream pies made from the loving hands of Leisha Young. God’s blessings are all around us and more times than not those blessings are in the form of people. I love people and am a rich man in relationships.

Whether it be people back in Lufkin, the gracious people in the Paradise community whom I brag on often, or the loving and friendly community we are finding here in Seminole; our lives have been enriched greatly because of people and the multiple ways they have loved, served, supported, blessed, and provided for Brenda and me. People are “Hallelujah good!”

All of this reminded me of a scripture. “The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” [Lamentations 3:22-23] What a sweet and treasured and truth. Every day the Lord is showering down loving kindness and we are so busy we often fail to notice. We do not take into account the blessing of blue skies, painted flowers, picturesque sunsets, and puffy clouds floating overhead. When was the last time you really enjoyed eating food? I don’t mean you inhaled every bite without actually enjoying the taste. I mean you savored your food enjoying the texture, tasting the different flavors, and enjoyed your eating experience.

Turner enjoyed the toast immensely along with the rest of our family. I also enjoyed the coconut cream pies, Simply delightful. Eating those coconut cream pies can lead a man to worship and even more so when enjoyed in the company of cherished friends. They were hallelujah good. When was the last time you enjoyed the simple pleasure of some hallelujah good food?

When was the last time you really enjoyed being with family or friends? God meant for us to enjoy being together, to laugh together, bear one another’s burdens, and to share pain together. Since moving to Seminole I have seen a good deal of grief. I have preached four funerals and attended four others in less than two months. I have watched many people have to say good bye to loved ones. Let us enjoy the hallelujah good times now before it is too late and we are forced to live with our past memories and the regrets of not having more time with the people we love.

Celebrate the little blessings. Every day God is cascading new mercies on His children. They are new and point to the never ending faithfulness of God. If we could enjoy the hallelujah good times more they would help us to keep the faith when we are forced to endure some trial or suffering or to wade through the turbulent waters of heartache and sorrow. God is a good God. Everyday He demonstrates this over and over again. Open your eyes today and watch in the many small ways He is pouring our new mercies. Amen Turner! Life is hallelujah good!