Enter a new season of life

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

Over 15-years ago, I began writing a monthly column of appreciation and encouragement for our servicemen and women, and through the column, I became acquainted with a military general. I recall a business lunch we had together at a lovely, scenic shoreline restaurant.

Soon, our conversation turned to a column that I had previously written about the importance of our optimistic thoughts and attitude. The column was illustrated by a ‘grey dog’ and a ‘white dog.’ The general and I agreed how crucial it is to feed our mind continually with good, constructive thoughts. For the mind, like the body, needs to be constantly fed with good things.

“And if we do this,” I concurred, “over a period of time, we can condition our mind so we will automatically react optimistically to most any adverse situations we encounter.”

The general nodded in agreement, as I continued speaking, “We can train our thoughts, as the Bible tells us, to think on whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely and of a good report, cherishing the gift of life, embracing it and making the most of it. Because our thoughts can determine what we will become.”

Just at that precise moment, a lady approached our table. Leaning to me she said in almost a whisper, “I want you to know how much I enjoy your weekly column, Catherine.” Smiling, I replied, “Oh, thank you.”

After that, I introduced her to the general, explaining how I write a monthly column for their publications, as well. Then, the lady expressed sincerely, “I want you to know I loved the column you wrote about the ‘grey dog’ and ‘white dog.’”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The general and I looked at each other in amazement, nodding our heads at the astonishing coincidence. After a thoughtful pause, the general declared enthusiastically, “We were just talking about that same article!”

In that column that I wrote many years prior, I pointed to a story I had heard about an old Indian chief and a young preacher. In the narrative, the two men were talking. The Indian chief uttered, “Ever since I have given my heart to God, dear preacher, I find that within me there is a fight between the grey dog and the white dog.”

Listening contently, the preacher questioned, “Chief, which one wins?” The wise old Indian chief remained silent for a few minutes. Then he gave an insightful answer, “The one that I feed the most.”

What thoughts play in your mind again and again? What words are you speaking over your circumstances?

It’s been said that ‘You attract what you think about, and you can draw in to you what you say.’ What you will be next week is what you have thought, said or done today. The power that will be the strongest tomorrow is the one you have fed this day. Last week at church, they played a beautiful spiritual song. For the rest of the day, that spiritual song played over and over in my mind. In the same way, if you think even one constructive or unconstruc-