Profound thoughts from Old Yeller

One afternoon this week the children and I were snuggled on the couch under a cozy blanket, reading the children's classic, Old Yeller. It's a sweet story about a loyal dog and his master, a little boy named Travis. In the end, they had to shoot Old Yeller because he was sick (I hope I didn't just spoil it for you if you were going to read it! :), and Travis was having a hard time with it.

When I read what his dad told him, it struck me, like he was speaking it to me. His dad said, "It's not a thing you can forget. I don't guess it's a thing that you ought to forget. What I mean is, things like that happen. They may seem mighty cruel and unfair, but that's how life is a part of the time. But that isn't the only way life is. A part of the time, it's mighty good. And a man can't afford to waste all the good part, worrying about the bad parts. That makes it all bad..."

We've had some things in life lately that I tend to get distracted by...paying bills, taxes, a silly notice from a tollway violation, insurance, paperwork, waiting in lines, being put on hold for a long period of time while trying to speak with the right person and explain my case, etc. When I read what Travis' dad told him, it was a great reminder to me. Adrienne, don't let the little things of life weigh you down. Trust them to Jesus and let Him carry the burden. Focus on the other parts of life that are "mighty good."

And may we not waste all the good part, worrying about the bad part. Life is way too short for that.