Long story short, today I was at lunch with some guys, and we began to talk about the big lottery. I had heard about it, but it has never really been something I am all that interested in. We were all talking about what we would do with the money…oh how that got my wheels turning. I went back to my room to read a chapter in a textbook, and I could not stop thinking about the lottery. It was like I was almost hypnotized. I mean what would I even do with all that money? So I had to break down and do it. I had to go buy a lottery ticket for the fun of it! Thanks to my buddy Landon for going with!
Landon told me this story about a man who won and said it completely ruined his life. To be completely honest, say I would have won. Yeah it would have been crazy exciting, but think about how your life would change. I would actually be in total shock. The fact that someone is lucky enough to win that much money is one thing, but having to decide what to do with it is a whole other task. I mean I would have the opportunity to do such great things with the money, but I can’t even imagine all the people who would ask me for things. People like the line leader from kindergarten or my best friend’s best friend. I mean I don’t want that?! Just because I would have won the lottery wouldn’t suddenly make me Santa Claus.
When I got back to my room and put the lottery ticket in my drawer, I thought for a second and I pulled it back out. I looked at it and I said a prayer… And no I didn’t pray that I would win. I knew I wasn’t going to win! I prayed for the person who was going to win. For the person who is now in a once in a lifetime position. Or a one and 24.2 million chance according to my ticket. For the person who is now in an impossible position. For the person whose life is forever changed. For the person who now has crazy decisions to make. I can’t even imagine what they are going through right now. I prayed for that person and asked that God be with them. I asked that he help them make healthy and wise decisions. I asked that he teach them something. I asked that he use this to build that person up… Not tear them down. I asked that he help them to use that money for good. Money has a way of really changing a person with the snap of a finger. I encourage you all to pray for the person that many of you are probably envying tonight.
It’s so funny to me how one lottery ticket can change SO much for one person. It would be insane, but I think I am much happier with my life now. I don’t need fame and fortune to make my life. I don’t want people to remember me for winning the lottery. Even though I could have done amazing things with all that money. It just wasn’t God’s plan for me. May you all remember this as you stare at your losing lottery ticket. You are greater than a pile of money. Money does not define you! Pray for the new winner and the life he or she has now been given. Pray they do good. Pray they are thankful! I sure know I am going to bed with much less in my bank account, but I must say, after what this lottery ticket has taught me, I would not change a thing.
Yours Truly,
Southern and Thankful
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