Another Day!

Today happens to be “Friday the 13th”. Did you fret this day? Did your day start any different than the earlier days this week? As far as Fridays go, how is this day going?

The number 13 holds no fear for me. My wife and I found early in our relationship that we both shared the number 13 as our lucky number. I guess I had chosen it because I was born on a 13 (though it was a Sunday).

Some buildings with more than 13 floors have not had that floor numbered or have used that floor only for other things such as air-conditioning equipment. Some people would avoid buying a lottery ticket on a 13. Are you superstitious in any way? Whether it be regarding good luck or bad luck, are you controlled by some fears?

I came across some interesting information regarding superstitions today. Below I have listed some of it for your consideration.

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The 13th of the month falls on Friday more frequently than on any other day of the week. In 440 years (a basic and recurring calendar unit) there will be 688 Friday the 13ths. This is in comparison to 687 Sundays or Wednesdays, which are the next highest number.

In this age of science and sophisticated technology, it is estimated that 20 million Americans carry a rabbit’s foot or some other good-luck charm.

Among signs of good luck are: horseshoes, toadstools, piglets, four-leafed clovers, lady-bugs, forget-me-nots, mistletoe at Christmas, a cobweb in the room, yew trees, a sprig of heather, two shooting stars in one night, etc. We also have the proverbs: “See a pin and pick it up, all the day you will have good luck” and “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” (to bring the bride luck).

Among signs of bad luck are: a hunchback or an old woman crossing one’s path in the early morning, crossing arms when shaking hands, burning green twigs in the garden, losing one’s wedding ring, two spoons in a saucer, rocking an empty cradle, seeing a magpie, spilling salt, crossing one’s knife and fork, the ace of spades and the four of clubs, etc. It is considered unlucky by some to meet a funeral procession on one’s wedding day, walk under a ladder, open an umbrella in the house, or to break a mirror. It was also once considered unlucky to let one’s washing boil over, to give away something pointed, or to have a parson on board ship.

Have you ever heard of someone getting up on the “wrong side of the bed”? At one time most beds in hotels were placed with the left side against the wall. This was due to an ancient superstition to keep people from getting up on the wrong side of the bed. It was believed by ancient people that the gods and forces of good lived within the right side of the body, while the devil and all the forces of evil dwelt within the left side of the body. With this belief, according to the “Journal of the American Medical Association”, if a person got out of bed on the left side, he would be giving the advantage to the forces of evil for that day, and could expect misfortune and bad luck!
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I have walked under plenty of ladders. I have opened an umbrella indoors on a number of occasions. (You get wet if you wait until you are completely outside to open it.) I have also broken enough mirrors to never be free from that curse if it were so.

Paul admonished. . .
“(7) HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IRREVERENT, SILLY MYTHS. Rather TRAIN YOURSELF FOR GODLINESS; (8) for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as IT HOLDS PROMISE FOR THE PRESENT LIFE AND ALSO FOR THE LIFE TO COME.” ( 1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV)

I have had bad things happen on a Friday thirteen, but I have had bad things happen on other days as well. I have also had good things happen on a Friday thirteen. It is often simply a matter of on what we choose to center our focus. Therefore today is another Friday for which I have thanked God. It is another Friday on which He is bringing the focuses of the week together that I will be sharing on Sunday. It is a day with some time again spent in prayer with some of the men of our congregation.

The Psalmist stated. . .
“THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE; LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.” ( Psalm 118:24 ESV)

The context of this statement specifically related to the coming Messiah. ( Psalm 118:21-23) However, every day is a day the Lord has made and living in Christ we should especially be able to REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT! That is what I shall do! Won’t you join me?

Have a great day BECAUSE THE LORD GAVE IT!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 07/13/2001 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

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