I am not a gambler but I held out hope of having an actual and substantial financial gain occur in my life. To date this has not happened. I watch reality TV about families winning expensive vacations, homes and other financial rewards. Why is it never me?
The pessimistic side of me falls back on the adage, “born a day late and dollar short.” This does not prevent me from being a patriotic respectful person in spite of all tragedies I have experienced. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth; in fact struggle was my childhood lot in life. Thank God my parents and family weren’t complainers about their lot in life. I was shielded from despondency on these matters because of an instilled faith in a God who has an eternal plan for me.
My attention to being on “the short end of the stick” comes from observation of those who are selected winners of valuable prizes without much more than a submission of an entry. Herein is the problem. Entry forms are basically a hoax for all losers to provide personal information for future solicitations. They have an agenda of participation that will cost the entrant. Ultimately I believe ever winner of substantial gain will have hidden costs, i.e., taxes.
I remember two occasions as a pre-teen when I entered a sweepstakes. I was more than hopeful of my name being selected as a winner. Was it an impure or false faith?
The first was for a bicycle from a local Sears’s store. I stood anxiously by as they drew a name from the large container of submissions. Well, as you can probably guess it wasn’t my number. Disappointment filled my being as I walked away feeling like a loser.
The second occasion was when a small local shoe store was accepting entries for a brand new go-cart. This was the rage of the time for young boys. It had a wow factor. Every week I walked to town to admire this fine machine. When they finally posted the winner it was not my name. I am of the opinion that this one was a scam to attract business.
As I grew older the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes envelopes were filling our mailbox. I again had hopes of winning the million dollars or new home, maybe even a lesser prize. For years I would enter only to have my hopes dashed after the announced deadlines with nobody showing up with balloons and cameras at my doorstep. I even bought magazines hoping to improve my chance of becoming a winner. NOTHIN!
In my 65 plus years on earth I have learned that winning a fortune is pretty slim to mostly none. The odds are stacked against me. But I do have good health and awesome family and friends to always be there. My hope cannot be in a decision of man but must rest in my eternal Heavenly Father who has invested in me for my future with Him. I strive for the prize of the high calling of God (Phil. 3:14). I will acknowledge that I have experienced priceless rewards in my spirit through fulfilling the call of God on my life. He is true and faithful and able to do exceeding abundantly above all that I ask or think (Eph.3:20).
My dependency is not on the sinful nature of man. I must look to my source. My source is my Lord.
The pessimistic side of me falls back on the adage, “born a day late and dollar short.” This does not prevent me from being a patriotic respectful person in spite of all tragedies I have experienced. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth; in fact struggle was my childhood lot in life. Thank God my parents and family weren’t complainers about their lot in life. I was shielded from despondency on these matters because of an instilled faith in a God who has an eternal plan for me.
My attention to being on “the short end of the stick” comes from observation of those who are selected winners of valuable prizes without much more than a submission of an entry. Herein is the problem. Entry forms are basically a hoax for all losers to provide personal information for future solicitations. They have an agenda of participation that will cost the entrant. Ultimately I believe ever winner of substantial gain will have hidden costs, i.e., taxes.
I remember two occasions as a pre-teen when I entered a sweepstakes. I was more than hopeful of my name being selected as a winner. Was it an impure or false faith?
The first was for a bicycle from a local Sears’s store. I stood anxiously by as they drew a name from the large container of submissions. Well, as you can probably guess it wasn’t my number. Disappointment filled my being as I walked away feeling like a loser.
The second occasion was when a small local shoe store was accepting entries for a brand new go-cart. This was the rage of the time for young boys. It had a wow factor. Every week I walked to town to admire this fine machine. When they finally posted the winner it was not my name. I am of the opinion that this one was a scam to attract business.
As I grew older the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes envelopes were filling our mailbox. I again had hopes of winning the million dollars or new home, maybe even a lesser prize. For years I would enter only to have my hopes dashed after the announced deadlines with nobody showing up with balloons and cameras at my doorstep. I even bought magazines hoping to improve my chance of becoming a winner. NOTHIN!
In my 65 plus years on earth I have learned that winning a fortune is pretty slim to mostly none. The odds are stacked against me. But I do have good health and awesome family and friends to always be there. My hope cannot be in a decision of man but must rest in my eternal Heavenly Father who has invested in me for my future with Him. I strive for the prize of the high calling of God (Phil. 3:14). I will acknowledge that I have experienced priceless rewards in my spirit through fulfilling the call of God on my life. He is true and faithful and able to do exceeding abundantly above all that I ask or think (Eph.3:20).
My dependency is not on the sinful nature of man. I must look to my source. My source is my Lord.
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