"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Philippians 4:12 NIV)
Today is my beautiful mother Annie Dean Brinson's 58th birthday. She and my dad (both pictured above posing at my sister Alesha's wedding reception) have been married 37 years. And her signature smile I always talks about, pretty much never ever goes away. When I called Mom this morning with a purposely botched and silly rendition of the Happy Birthday song, she laughed and said, "Awww, thank you Dianna!" in her soft, chipper voice.
It was so sweet to see how excited she was about her lunch date today with my dad, Joseph Sr.
"You guys are so cute," I told Mom. I then proceeded to ask about her agenda for the day. She began listing things.Then, as the conversation went on, Mom told me, "You know, Dianna, I'm just happy. Happy for life. Your daddy. The children and grandchildren. I'm just happy about the simple things."
I nodded and listened with a smile.
That's the perspective my mother raised me with, and it has stuck with me all these years. During this same conversation today while Mom was appreciating the simple things in life, I shared an old memory with her, of a time when I was just a small girl. I couldn't have been any older than 5 or 6. And there was an older man, Deacon Conyers, in our church called Holy Ghost Temple, who used to sing.
Whenever he stood up, he would wipe his head with a handkerchief whether he was sweating or not; blink his eyes rapidly; and sing the same song that grew to be one of my favorites. I can still hear it ringing in my ears.
"I don't need no money," Deacon Conyers would sing a line and then wipe his head. I don't need a dime, nooooo. Cause as long as I got Jesu-u-us, I got a satisfied mind."
"You remember that?!" my mother exclaimd in a surprised tone after I shared it.
"I sure do Mom," I laughed. In fact, I sing it to myself every now and again to remind me that Jesus is all the world to me. And He's more than enough.
On this day, I encourage you to thank God for the simple pleasures in life. Whether you have everything you want or not. Because, if you have Jesus, you have all you need.
Another great hymn has been in my spirit today too. "Jesus is all the world to me..." And as you well know, I'm so in love with Him.
Today's Prayer: Dear Lord, no matter where I am in life right now, help me always to stop, reflect, and thank you for the everyday blessings lik health, family, and a brand new mercy that awaits me everyday. In Jesus' name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
