State Rep. Krause: Let’s Count Our Blessings

These Christmas wishes were authored and submitted to Breitbart Texas by Texas State Rep. Matt Krause.

On this Christmas . . . let’s count our blessings.

It seems as though human nature has a tendency to focus on the negative. When things are going well, we begin to wonder what bad event is coming our way next. Conversely, when things are bad, we have a tendency to believe things are never going to get better. So, at the end of 2014, and heading in to 2015, let’s commit ourselves to be positive and grateful. A great anecdote on this topic comes from a theologian named Matthew Henry, who lived in the 1600’s and in to the 1700’s. While riding his horse to a church meeting one evening, a man stopped his equine and demanded all the money Henry had with him. Henry obliged, the malefactor took off through the woods, and Henry continued on to his service.

As he was processing his thoughts later that night, the New Testament Scripture from I Thess. 5:18 kept entering his mind. That verse states, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” How could he be grateful when he had just been mugged? But then he found these words to enter in to his journal, “Let me be thankful first, because I was never robbed before; second, because, although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because, although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”

What a response! Matthew Henry found a way to be grateful even under very difficult circumstances. We can do the same here in Texas. Let’s try a few to see what they would look like:

Problem – Transportation and traffic are horrible in Texas.

Blessing – Over 1000 people a day are moving to Texas because our state continues to lead the nation in job growth. This causes transportation issues, but let’s be grateful for the great state we live in.

Problem – Our education system is in dire need of repair so we can adequately train a workforce for the long term health of the Texas economy.

Blessing – Our state is blessed with literally hundreds of wonderful teachers to train up and educate that work force. We just need to do a better job of unleashing those teachers to innovate and truly educate children for a brighter future.

Problem – Our border is a sieve and immigration is the number one issue and problem on Texans’ minds.

Blessing – Not only are we a shining light to those in other states, but we are a Promised Land of opportunity to those in other countries as well. Let us be grateful we live in a state that attracts so many different individuals to it as they seek a better life. (However, there is nothing to be grateful about in terms of the human trafficking and drugs coming in to the state. That must stop now!)

Problem – The Texas Legislature is about to enter its 84th Session, and as Mark Twain famously said, “No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.”

Blessing – It’s only 140 days long!

Problem – There could be a special session or two in 2015

Blessing – Hmm . . . still thinking of something positive for that myself!

Even though we have had some troubled times the past few years, we are blessed to live in such a great nation as America. And we are doubly blessed to be called Texans. Let us never forget how fortunate we are, and use that perspective to keep us in a perpetual state of gratitude. That is my Christmas wish for each and every one of you.

From the Krause Family to yours – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

Matt Krause is a Texas State Representative from Fort Worth representing District 93. Follow him on Twitter @RepMattKrause.