A. A. Milne wrote about the whimsical exploits of Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh. They enjoyed adventures with a cast of colorful characters in the Hundred Acre Wood.

Tigger bounced through the forest with wild abandon and childlike glee. He saw the best in everyone and everything. Perhaps we shared his enthusiastic optimism as children, but the fallen world can beat the stuffing out of our souls.

Eeyore the rainy-day-grey donkey munched thistles and warned about earthquake weather. He possessed the uncanny ability to see the dark lining in every silver cloud. We too fight the temptation to see the worst in everyone and everything.

Hi, my name’s Bill Burch, and I am a recovering Eeyore. I struggle to cultivate an eternal perspective that spies God’s grace all about.

I preached a sermon during Lent about possessing the mind and attitude of Christ. The message boomeranged and convicted the preacher’s soul. I committed myself anew to focusing on the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). I recite this verse regularly during my personal devotions, seeking to cultivate an attitude of gratitude.  

Colossians 2:6-7 traces the Christian journey from salvation to sanctification. The passage describes disciples who are “overflowing with thankfulness.” The phrase inspires images of a tiered fountain filling from above and brimming over below.

Perhaps Piglet should be our Christian model. Milne wrote, “Piglet noted that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.”

This article appeared previously in the Northside Summer Quarterly Newsletter.