Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
The New Boilerplate
My wife filled a small book with “Angel” on the cover. It was hidden with a box of crafting things. On 18 July 2025, I thought I had posted the last of these. But this little angel book held a prayer, followed by 71 quotes. So, the “with a little help” series is back in business for a while. And it will be fun for me. She did not attribute any of the quotes. The first, next week’s installment, is from James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the USA. The next one is disputed, with some thinking it originated with Teddy Roosevelt and others saying Fred Astaire. After the prayer, these might be on the lighter side.
Her quote
“After thirty, a body has a mind of its own.”
- Bette Midler
The Discussion
I cannot believe it, but Bette Midler is 80. Then again, I am not that far behind.
Her timing may be off, and it may change from one person to the next, but I was recently commenting back and forth with a dear friend. We agreed that at some particular age, whatever the doctor says as the recovery time, you have to add extra time or you start questioning if the doctor knows what he is talking about.
I supposedly had COVID in October. I went through the expensive medicines. My pulse went crazy, but that could have been dealing with the medicines, but over two months later, I am still tired. It takes me weeks to get rid of a simple illness where a younger person takes days.
The thing is, we have no control over it. Sure, we can eat better, exercise more, etc., but that might delay the inevitable.
The point here is that when God wants to get your attention, He will let you know that you are not immortal.
Think about that. All those crazy stunts you tried as a kid get remembered in the aches and pains later on. And with God in your heart, you are reminded that our heavenly reward is that there will be no more pain. Bette Midler’s quote is not the end. There is another chapter.
Soli Deo Gloria. Only to God be the Glory
Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley 
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