Praise the Lord

There are certain people in life who have an indelible impact upon you and whose absence will be meaningful.  Sometimes those people would not want to be mentioned by name and would not want to distract anyone from the glory that rightfully belongs to God.  In such a case I think it fitting to write in memory of the legacy that they leave behind. 

"Praise the Lord." 

I learned recently just how critical it is to say this on a daily - moment by moment- basis.  We are never guaranteed tomorrow.  You could be sitting and watching TV in one moment and in the next slumped over as a result of some medical incident. 

I have known a lady whose first response to any greeting was "Praise the Lord."  As I attempt to recall any moment in which she was not smiling it amazes me that I cannot think of a single moment.  I have tried to remember a single complaint registered.  I have tried to remember a single moment when the cares of life outweighed the response of "Praise the Lord."  I cannot remember a single one.  In fact, although I know that at times prayers and concerns weighed heavily, the unshakable commitment to the ongoing work of God in her life always overcame any other concern. 

Amazingly, the consistency of her trust in God was an ongoing and daily commitment.  In the midst of health struggles it stayed.  In the midst of difficulty, it stayed.  In fact, as this lady crossed the pearly gates I know (as close to for a fact as one can get) that she said to whomever she met, "Praise the Lord."

In honor of this dear nameless saint, I wish to call us all to a daily reminder, "Praise the Lord."