Chaplain’s Corner
By Betty Jass
“One day at a time, sweet Jesus That’s all I’m asking from you. Give me the strength to do everything what I have to do. Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be mine. Help me today, show me the way One day at a time.”
These are some of the song lyrics written by Owen Gray as a prayer to ask God for his assistance during each day as we go through life. Some people may remember a TV show by this name and many artists have sung this song from Merle Haggard to a grandchild at a funeral for their grandpa. Many of us have asked God for just that “extra strength” while we go through challenging times and during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Back in 2004, I was a passenger in a van that was T-boned by another motorist who went through a stop sign. The other motorist wasn’t paying attention to her travels and caused the crash.
There were four people in the car I was traveling in at the time. I was injured the worst with back and shoulder injuries, torn chest wall inflammation and breathing difficulties. It took me quite a while to recover from my injuries and during part of that time I prayed sometimes for relief just a moment at a time and God answered my prayers. We never know what God’s plans are for us so we need to not worry about the future but stay in the moment the best you can. I know this is not easy so ask for God’s assistance to stay in the moment when you find yourself struggling.
Everywhere we go we can see our fellow man taking “one day at a time …” as they stay in the moment with their children laughing and playing. We see people holding each other (even during this pandemic) as they grieve for a loved one after they pass from this world to the next.
Each are wondering how they can best remember them and celebrate their loved one’s life. I recently officiated a funeral service as the Department chaplain and the grandchildren sang this song as the funeral service procession started. Oh! The wonderful and innocent sounds of their voices filled the church and gave everyone comfort.
Earlier this month, my daughter and I took her new husband, Chad, to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for the first time. Instead of worrying about the potential trouble that was predicted for the rally, we rode through a different part of the Black Hills each day to enjoy the beautiful scenery. We took each day “one day at a time” and stayed in the moment.
Betty Jass is the chaplain for The American Legion Department of Minnesota.
