Betsy’s Grandpa Al was awesome.
He died a few months back and I cried. A lot. I stinkin loved that guy!
Even now I try really hard to picture him in heaven, on the right hand of the Father – IN CHRIST – but it’s hard because I’m selfish and want him back here, with us.
Anyway, his amazing daughter Janice – Betsy’s Mom, whom I love and respect mucho – shared this list personifying many of Al’s cherished character traits.
I was moved to share them with you and encourage you to pass them on as blessings of wisdom to younger generations.
Many are weary so please share it – we’re a hungry and needy generation.
Al would’ve wanted it so.
A fraction of the wisdom God bestowed on Athold Johnston
- Pray.
- Go to bed on time.
- Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
- Say No to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
- Delegate tasks to capable others.
- Simplify and unclutter your life.
- Less is more – and that one is usually not enough and two are often too many.
- Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
- Pace yourself and spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don’t lump the hard things all together.
- Take one day at a time.
- Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do, do it, and let go of the anxiety. If you can’t do anything about a situation, forget it.
- Live within your budget; don’t use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
- Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
- K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
- Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
- Carry a Book with you to read while waiting in line.
- Get enough rest.
- Eat right.
- Get organized so everything has its place.
- Listen to something while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
- Write down thoughts and inspirations.
- Every day, find time to be alone.
- Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don’t wait until it’s time to go to bed to try and pray.
- Make friends with people who love and seek Christ.
- Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
- Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good “Thank you my Almighty God.”
- Laugh.
- Laugh some more!
- Take your work seriously, but never take yourself to seriously.
- Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
- Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
- Sit on your ego.
- Talk less; listen more.
- Slow down.
- Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
- Every night before bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Ponder how we can promote these values in our daily lives, and exemplify them!
I mean, we do want to remembered like Al – right?
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Thank you for your kind words and thoughts. You are an amazing son-in-law and I love you.