From Our Chaplin

Psalms 106:1 says Praise the Lord.  Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.  It is very easy to get discouraged in life.  Everyone has problems, and it is easy to get discouraged even though we know how much Jesus loves you.  I don't like being discouraged; I would much rather be joyful, but there are times when I do get down in the dumps.  I used to work there at Rapid City Hospital, and I lived at Union Center which is about 70 miles away using the shortcut.  I would have time to think over things when I was driving.  I could have some real good pity parties for myself.  I started this little game to get me out of these moods.  I simply called it the thankful game.  I would out loud tell the Lord what I was thankful for.  It wasn't just the obvious things that we are normally thankful for, but even for little things.  For instance have you ever just thanked the Lord for indoor plumbing and toilet paper?  It would give me a chuckle with some of the things I came up with. It really helped get me out of those moods.  One time while I was whining to the Lord about going to work on a Holiday, I listened to a sermon on the radio and the pastor was saying to look at our jobs as a gift from God and how we do our jobs as a gift back to God.  I was so thankful to hear that. It really changed my attitude.  Learning to give thanks can really change your attitude. If we can find every day some way to serve others and to be thankful for our blessings, it is a game-changer, not only for our lives but for those around us. I just want to encourage all of you because I know some of you are going through some real tough times. Please know I keep you in my thoughts and prayers.  And remember His love endures forever