By Harold Keller

I was privileged to attend St. Peter’s Catholic School in Reserve, Louisiana, from first through seventh grade.  I never experienced a lay teacher throughout those years. I was taught by the Dominican nuns.  

I can still visualize my first grade, gray covered Catechism. The first question was: Who made you? In unison, loud and clear, the whole class would answer, “God made me.” “Why did God make you?” was the second question. Again, in unison, loud and clear, we answered, “To love and serve Him.”

I’m reminded of something I read years ago that stated we were taught everything about life in the first grade. Sounds simple, but as we grow up, we allow the cares of the world to separate us from our first love.  

I thank God for my salvation at age 45. Since then, I’ve made an effort to get back to the basics that I learned in first grade. I have to admit that it’s been a daily struggle.

The Bible says: “The joy of the Lord is our strength.”  I have heard it said many times that the name, JOY, is a reminder to put Jesus first, Other people second, and Yourself third. That is the simple formula for success.

Speaking of success…….what is success?  It’s being in the perfect will of God on a daily basis.  Most of my life, I strived to be successful in the eyes of the world. Today, I have a desire to live a life that will honor God.  

When this life is over, and all is said and done, the only thing that will matter is my relationship with God.

I read the following in a devotional, “The Word for you Today,” which is published quarterly:  

“God measures with a different yardstick. He won’t ask what kind of car you drove, but how many people you gave rides to. He won’t ask the square footage of your home, but how you raised your children and treated your family. He won’t ask about the brand names in your closet, but who you helped to clothe.  He won’t ask about your salary, but how much you invested into the building of His kingdom. He won’t ask about your job title, but if you tried to perform with excellence and integrity. He won’t ask how many friends you had, but how many people you were a friend to. He won’t ask what neighborhood you lived in, but if you loved your neighbor. He won’t ask about your politics or the color of your skin, but about the quality of your character.”

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.