Are You Miserable? / Mrs Leslie Beaman

Mrs Leslie Beaman

Christian School Teacher

State Line Christian School

Lewis Ave Baptist Church

Temperance, MI

Are You Miserable?

     Today I opened a magazine only to read Forbes, 'America's most miserable cities' list showed that Toledo, Ohio was number twelve.  I mean Detroit, MI charted BELOW Toledo at number fifteen!  What's that all about?  I must say I found myself getting mad.  Almost like Mr Forbes had just bad mouthed one of my kids.  Unquestionably, my little Toledo is not the tropics.  And no, it would not be considered the vacation spot of the north either.  But number twelve on the most miserable city list??!  Chicago, another favorite city of mine was ranked number seven.

     Now I could sit down and tell you all the many reasons I love my little Toledo and why I stand proud with other Toledoans.  We have a great zoo with more than 9,000 animals representing more than 800 species.  It sits on 51 beautiful manicured acres of ground and it has a Hippoquarium in which is a first for any zoo in the world.  No surprise that it is one of Ohio's major attractions.  The Toledo Museum of Art which was founded in 1901 has more than 30,000 works of art.  It is an internationally known art museum and ranks among one of the finest in the world.  I could tell you about the Toledo Symphony Orchestra which employs nearly 80 professional musicians.  I could go on and on throwing out words like 'Tony Packos', The Mud Hens and Libby Glass.  I could tell you my own two wonderful sons were born in the Toledo Hospital and tell you of all the thousands of little bus kids that have been reached by the bus ministry of the Lewis Avenue Baptist Church.  Then it hit me!  Mr Forbes surely wouldn't care and I doubt anyone else would be convinced after my most passionate of speeches that Toledo, Ohio didn't belong on that terrible 'Most Miserable City List'.  Why then do I feel the way I do?  Why am I so passionate, so defiant about the city in which I have lived for so many years?  Then it occurred to me.  I love Toledo because this is where the Lord wants me to be.  I love Toledo because right on the state line stands my church.  I love Toledo because this is where I've grown in the Lord.  Toledo is where with my husband of 36 years and I reared our children.

     Toledo may be a decaying miserable city to some, but to me it's home.  It is a wonderful thing to be content with where you are and with what God has given you.

     Let me ask you.  Are you happy and content with your city, your home, your spouse, and the children God has given you to rear?  Are you loyal to your pastor and grateful for your church?  Tell me, if Mr Forbes ranked you, where would you be on America's most miserable persons list?

     The Bible says in Philippians 4:11 - Not that I speak in respect of want:  For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, there with to be content.

     I truly believe the reason many of us go through life miserable is because we have never learned to be content with the things the Lord has given us.  And by the way, if you ever find yourself in greater Toledo, go down to the water-front, sit and (take your coffee) watch the boats go by.  If Toledo is miserable then I LOVE MISERABLE!