The World is Mine: Gratitude

Many, many years ago, as a teen or pre-teen, I memorized The World is Mine by Dr. Tennyson Guyer. The poem came back to my mind as I was reminded of the amazing real-life story of Captain Sam Brown the other day.

Perhaps you can understand why I have so little compassion for consistently whining people. It is not the pain or sorrow that I lack the empathy for, it is the constant whining. Honestly, I do not even like myself when I whine, and I do my fair share of it.

Truly, we each must, if we are to find the happiness we desire, place our will on the alter thereby giving up our will for His: 

“…the submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we “give,” brothers and sisters, are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!”  ~ Neal A. Maxwell

It all begins with gratitude. If we want to get to that place of giving up our will, then truly we must “Recognize, Remember, and Give Thanks“. If we are alive, we have reason to celebrate, to count our many blessings, to find joy in the simple gifts of life. 

I am thankful for the many people in this world who exemplify the Can-Do Spirit. There are many amazing people all around who will never know how their lives have touched mine.

Thank you for turning to God in your extremities. Thank you for your example of being lifted up as on wings of eagles. Thank you for your faithfulness, tenacity, and witness of a loving Heavenly Father through His tender mercies.

The World is Mine

Today upon a bus I saw
A girl with golden hair;
She seemed so gay, I envied her,
And wish that I were half so fair;
I watched her as she rose to leave,
And saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch,
But as she passed—a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two legs—the world is mine.

Later on I bought some sweets.
The boy who sold them had such charm,
I thought I’d stop and talk awhile.
If I were late, t’would do no harm.
And as we talked he said,
“Thank you, sir, you’ve really been so kind.
It’s nice to talk to folks like you
Because, you see, I’m blind”
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two eyes—the world is mine

Later, walking down the street,
I met a boy with eyes so blue.
But he stood and watched the others play;
It seemed he knew not what to do.
I paused, and then I said,
“Why don’t you join the others, dear?”
But he looked straight ahead without a word,
And then I knew, he couldn’t hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two ears—the world is mine.

Two legs to take me where I go,
Two eyes to see the sunset’s glow,
Two ears to hear all I should know,
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I’m blest, indeed, the world is mine.

                   —Dr. Tennyson Guyer

 

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