How are you today? We get asked that often. Truthfully, you don’t want to ask some people how they are doing because they were just waiting for someone to ask so that they could spill a pile of discontent and negativity. I know that we all have bad days, but some folks just seem to have a bad life. When asked, “How are you doing,” they will say things like…
- I’m doing.
- I’m here.
- I’m making it.
- I’m alive and that’s about it.
- I’m hanging on.
There is nothing but gloom and negativity in these responses. I know that we all have bad days, but EVERY day can’t be a bad day. However, this will be their go to response every time. Sadly, they will forever be remembered this way.
This may seem strange, but I’ve actually been trying to come up with the response I want to be remembered for. If you say “I’m good,” someone might use that as an opportunity to quote what Jesus said in Matthew 19:17. “And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” That is true and a good way to sprinkle the Lord immediately into a conversation.
Another comical response was often said to me when I would respond that I was “alright.” The person would say, “You are not all right. You are half left.” These are two responses I no longer say.
It would be impossible, but I would like my response to be a combination of the following responses that have been shared by people through the years to the “how are you today?” question. These responses have stuck with me, and they are a tremendous blessing.
Saved! Just passing through town. What a great response! To be saved is a blessing that the worst day cannot diminish. Ephesians 1:3a, 7 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…(7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” And, we are just passing through town, through a world that is not our own as we head to our eternal home in Heaven.
Better than I deserve. The person who said this has a good perspective on life and said it with a smile on his face. He lived in constant pain because of his back. His wife had died. There were a number of other things that could have pushed him to the edge of
gloom and doom. But he still knew what God’s grace and mercy were all about. Think about Titus 3:4-7. “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, (5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (6) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (7) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” We didn’t deserve any of this. We deserved hell. Therefore we are SO much better than we deserve!
Blessed. This simple, one word response reflects the contentment of a heart. I hadn’t seen the person who says this for a couple of years. We bumped into each other at Circle K the other day and I asked the traditional question: How are you? Even after all these years, he is still blessed!
Many in our world would never experience contentment even if they had all the trinkets the world could provide. There’s good reason, though, to doubt that this person would be content even if they did have all the world had to offer. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 reminds us, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” I acknowledge my gratefulness to the Lord every morning that I am so blessed and thankful for all the Lord has done for me.
Fine and dandy, sweet as candy.
Older. Slower. Grayer. Fatter. These are two responses that make me smile every time. I WANT to hear these answers! They bring me great joy!! I love the joy in the responses and the acceptance of the changes that come our way in life. There’s nothing you can do to stave off the effects of aging so you might as well just go with it. As the hymn says, “Sweeter as the years go by.” We may be older, slower, grayer, and fatter but we can still be fine and dandy, sweet as candy. Those in their older ages need to have this kind of cheerfulness that resonates with a testimony of what it has meant to walk with the Lord for many years.
Suck it up butter cup. In other words, life happens. Deal with it! This response sticks with me. There are so many individuals that can’t deal with a hang nail, much less the common sadnesses and tragedies that come to anyone’s life.
Matthew 5:45 says, “…for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Rain is coming in all of our lives. Suck it up, butter cup! As a Christian, you’d better learn to deal with things so that your response to “how are you doing” reflects that you are finding your faith, trust, and dependence on the never-failing God.
Do you see my dilemma? How do you roll these fantastic responses into one, concise answer?
While we work on the right response, let’s bear in mind the reason why we want to give the best answer we can. Matthew 5:13-16 gives a needed reminder. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
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