Counting every blessing with gratitude
Gratitude is a strong pathway to hope. University of Oklahoma football legend Dewey Selmon shares how his family values shaped who he is and how his family continues to build a faith foundation that encourages thankfulness. Dewey writes:
“My dad was a sharecropper; his work in the field started at sunrise and ended at sunset. My mother took care of the house, washed the clothes, cooked the meals, worked in the garden and watched over nine children, the last three being Lucious, Lee Roy and myself. In the evening, after all work was done, they would sit us down in the front room and talk to us about God and the Bible and how it inspired and
protected them. We were taught to pray, listen, work and be thankful for our blessings.
“Of course I didn't always see my blessings. We were living in a four-room wood frame house without air conditioning, television or a family car. Riding to church behind a mule in the family wagon did not pump up the ego. But as I have grown older, the times spent in that old wagon with all my brothers and sisters have become treasured memories. Sometimes my parents would drive us into town, each one of us in possession of our own spoon. They would stop and buy a gallon of ice cream and we would sit and eat in that wagon, thinking there could be no greater blessing on this Earth.
“My brothers and I were introduced to football by Eufaula High School Coach Paul Bell, a man who blessed our family beyond measure. We went on to play at the University of Oklahoma.
“Coach Barry Switzer led the team in such a way that we became family; they are each and every one some of my greatest blessings in life to this day.
“In addition to winning a few football games, I met my wife, Kathryn, at OU. We have six lovely children. We struggled at times. There was a transition period that came when football was over. I looked for a new place in the world. But through it all, we sat and talked to our children about God and the Bible. They were taken to church at an early age. They were baptized and taught to pray. They were taught to be thankful for people, their circumstances, and the blessings of God, our Father. I wanted to make sure the circle would not be broken.
“Over our mantel there is a simple wooden sign that reads, “We will bless the Lord at all times and His Praise shall continuously be in our mouth.” Life won't always be easy. But praise forever remains. Just look beyond the surface and see the expansive blue sky, the tall grass prairies and the deep red soil, the highest tree and the smallest bird. They all sing His name.”