Whatsoever things Are Lovely…

Today, I went through an automatic car wash. The gentleman unscrewed my antenna, got me all lined up for the machine, and off I went into the world of suds and scrubs. As I sat there, the cool of the wash rustled through the vents, brushing my skin lightly. For a moment, I thought back to an amusement park ride my family enjoyed each summer when we were kids called “Smurfland”.

My little brother, sister and I were premature children. Sickly to say the least. And although we looked forward to our yearly trip to Paramount Studios at Kings Island in Cincinatti, Ohio, there were only a few rides we could get on. My sister was terribly asthmatic, so her theme park adventure was even more slighted, but you would never know it. The best family ride we could all participate in was “Smurfland”. It was cool, breezy, had little ups and downs, but was filled with our favorite characters. Smurfette, Papa Smurf, Brainy, Grumpy and even the terrifying villain Gargamel. What a happy place Smurfland was, on the cartoon show and the ride. It was short but it seemed to last forever. It may have lasted a minute or so beyond my car wash adventure.

As I sat reminiscing on those peaceful times, I recalled Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Sometimes a brief meditation of a memory and the word of God can change the course of your entire day. This world seeks to take our peaceful moments. It would even assume we forget peaceful moments from our past. But in the heat of the day, when the villain enemy comes to infiltrate our camp, it would behoove us to sing our theme song “La-la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-laaaaaaaa!” Simple isn’t it! That’s all the Smurfs had to sing. They enjoyed their life, in spite of impeding attacks that were sure to come. What a great way to live.

My prayer today is that you think of whatsoever things are lovely and make a decision to hold on to those things with all of your might! May the peace of God guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. If it takes you a while to get there, just think of little blue people… it could be a start!

Caarne White