Occasionally it gets difficult to stay positive with everything that looms in the world and is reported to us 24/7. It’s good to be aware of what is happening in our world, but we should guard against becoming negative, depressed or fearful.

This world has sorrow but it also has many joys. Many of us are disappointed with our government, intricate laws that seem to work against the upright citizen, high and unfavorable taxes, funded programs in need of revision and the list goes on.

We are so busy looking at what is wrong often we don’t stop to examine our personal wealth. Perhaps annually at tax season we see what we owe or what is returned from government, but do we ever look to see what we have accrued? Most of us have very fortunate lives living the lifestyle that just 50 years ago was that of celebrities and the social elite.

Travel is within our means, as well as, massages, manicures, vacations, fitness memberships, housekeepers, recreational vehicles, even cosmetic surgery is within the grasp of the middle-classed population and instead of hiring a nanny we utilize daycare facilities. Going out to eat is no longer considered a luxury but rather a way of life.

Most houses have a minimum of a two- or three-car garage, almost every family has one more car than they have drivers within the household. Computers and smart phones have become a necessity and nearly every child goes to one or more camp (i.e. band, bible, basketball), plays any sport or every sport they desire, has a selection of clothes and enough to eat that they can be selective.

People are retiring earlier, golfing, gambling, and escaping to a warmer climate for five to six months a year by owning or renting a secondary residence; all these things were only pipe dreams not so many years before.

Most of us have so much that we willfully and freely donate from our abundance to Goodwill and Salvation Army and because of the quality donations some of us now enjoy shopping these places for new or like new clothing, etc. But do we gratefully acknowledge and give thanks for such blessings or are we always pursuing more?

It’s our nature to compare our wealth with the wealth of others, always desiring the gifts and blessings of the person who has more and taking our own for granted when, in truth, there are always people that have more than we do and it’s the people that have less that should concern us.

With all our prosperity it becomes hard to believe the poverty statistics within our community, county, state and country. But just as the U.S. middle class lives the life of the Golden Aged Affluent our impoverished are not destitute nor would any of us allow that to happen. With countless charities and governmental programs we see that everyone share in the wealth of the land.

Truly the standard of living in the US is enviable, that is enviable if materialism is what we desire. Of course there are things money cannot buy, such as family, love, time, health, happiness, and honest. However our world has assigned a monetary value to everything. Every action equates into either income or an expense, so it’s natural that our primary focus is on money, but what if woke up today with only what we thanked God for yesterday?

Upcoming events:

Saturday at noon, a Rosary for America will be prayed at the Versailles Fountain Square. Bring your lawn chairs and rosaries. More than 14,000 rosary rallies across America will be uniting at noon for our nation. Refreshments will follow.

Sunday, the museum has its annual “Soup on the Lawn” event from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. The menu offers bean soup, chili, corn bread, hot dogs and apple dumplings. DJ Karen Holsapple will be on site to entertain and those who would like to display their antique car, tractor or truck is encouraged to attend. Also Sunday the Versailles K of C’s are hosting a Pork loin dinner from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the K of C Hall. Sunday Midmark invites the public to an open house of their educational center at 60 Vista Drive from 1-4 p.m. then from 4-6 p.m. the American Legion Auxiliary holds their Chicken Fry at the Vets Club.

Congratulations to the VHS Marching Band who hosted a successful band invitational last Saturday despite the damp and rainy weather and qualified for state, as well.

Happy birthday to Amy Brandt, Paula Dirksen, Brent Carity, Steve Shrock, Amy Lawson, Pastor Jim Mussman, Ellen Peters, Shane Unger, Kevin Lyme, Bruce Magoto, Christ Beasley, Brandon Christian, Emma Jean Hartzell, Marissa Vencil, Lori Davidson, Ashley Roberts, Becky Condon, Marilyn Petitjean, Viv DeWall, Bob Turpen, Steven Mangen, Mary Lou Nerderman, Phil Streib, Sharon Kramer, Ryan Oliver, Jim Zehringer, Janel Grillot, Karen Clayton, Angie Hoelscher, Alex Dircksen, Mike McClurg, Courtney Swabb, Ginny Voisard, Gina Hoying, and Nicci Keiser as their birthdays approach as well as, wedding wishes to Brook and Ben Wilson, and anniversary wishes to Jennifer and Tyler Ward (2), Paige and Bobby Collins (2), Katie and Matthew Curtis (5), Kate and Clint Brewer (9), Janet and Rick Unger (11), Carrie and Eric Behlke (11), Angie and Jeff Francis (14), Jenny and Nick Timmerman (15), Michelle and David McClure (18), Georgiana and Erick Williams (18), Tina and Luke Subler (23), Kathy and Dale Schlater (26), Margie and Rick Heitkamp (29), Elaine and Jim Barlage (32), Jacqui and Steve Rethman (33), Elaine and Greg Bergman (37), Karen and Ron Mescher (45), and Cindy and Ed Grogean (52).

Healing prayers and get well wishes to Joann Ingle, Eileen Rahm, Michelle McClure, Judy Yoder, Dan Trostel, Dave Gibson, Boots Breaden, Robert Longenecker, Karen Coverstone, Rita Wuebker, Yvonne Ridenour, Wayne Pittsenbarger, Michelle Ullom, Thelma Schultz, James Youngker, Isabella Yakos, Brian Voisard Barb and Jon Agne, Samantha Smith and all those dealing with life’s challenges, as well the hospitalized or homebound in need of our prayers but not mentioned by name.

Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Timothy Fogt (49), James Stucke (54) and Mary Ann Wenning (88), also remembering the lives of Vada Fisher, Audrey McEldowney, Jack Stephenson, Marie Langenkamp, John Beasley, Tyler Kuhn, Becky Grillot, Martha Phlipot, Lucille Monnin, Jean Francis, Virginia Roll, Delbert Barga, Naomi Francis, Homer Wood, Paul McClurg, Dan Luthman, Joe Graves, Barb Selander, Urb Ratermann, Harold Dickey and all those not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their recently passing.

“For where your treasure lies there your heart will be also.” ~Matthew 6:21

“Life’s best and lasting treasures cost nothing at all.” ~C. Edwards

“Money has never made man happy nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has, the more one wants.” ~Benjamin Franklin