Be of Good CHEER!

I love the story our good friend, Zig Ziglar, told about the businessman who got a ticket for driving too fast on the way to work, who got to his office and yelled at his assistant, and then she yelled at the receptionist, who came home and yelled at her son, who kicked the poor cat. That little story describes how "our presence" -- good or bad -- can affect the atmosphere in our world.

Did you know that we can operate in God-given ability to bring heaven to earth and create environments of love, hope, faith, and good CHEER in every facet of our lives? It's our choice whether we bring anxiety or peace, doubt or optimism, anger or love into our world. Our kitchens, our workplaces, and even our cars can become "sanctuaries" -- safe havens and stability -- even in the midst of the bustle of activity....and life. They can be places were love is lived and where people sense God's peace and acceptance -- just because of the atmosphere we create.

Husbands and Wives, Dads and Moms, Granddads and Grandmoms -- we ought to be the family CHEER Leaders. And here's my suggestion for a family cheer. Get them up in the morning and say, "All right family. Let's all begin our cheer for the day. Jesus said be of good CHEER (Matt. 14:27), so here's our good CHEER. "WE ARE HAPPY. WE ARE BLESSED. WE ARE WINNERS. YES, YES, YES!! Two bits! Four bits! Six bits! A dollar! All for Jesus.....stand up and holler!!"

Okay....that's dorky, but seriously -- isn't dorky better than gloomy, cranky, angry and dreary? Our joy-filled, blessed, and grateful attitude will change our world and our calm, peaceful, and loving presence, that we create, will be infectious to our world. Let’s spread THAT presence today, and be of good CHEER!