One of my favorite memories involves brother Hugo McCord. He was recently retired as professor at Oklahoma Christian College (now University). He and his wife were being supported by the Atwood church (where I began preaching locally) in periodic mission trips and writing projects. Two or three times a year, they would visit Atwood and he would preach on the Sunday mornings of those weekends. Those times were blessings to my life as a young preacher of the gospel. His deep knowledge of Scripture and his simple delivery of the powerful message also made an impact upon me. However, another thing which stands out in my mind about brother McCord was his attitude. When I or anyone else would approach him and ask, “How are you, brother McCord?,” that good, elderly man would respond, “I’m mightily blessed!” It should come as no surprise to anyone that a person who counted himself as “mightily blessed” would himself be such a blessing to others. I think it will also be no surprise to anyone who reads this that the common inscription at the end of notes and letters was, “God Bless! Hugo McCord.” All of us can easily reflect on our lives and find numerous blessings God has given us. From the regular steady heartrate through our night’s sleep to the waking breaths of the new day, we are mightily blessed. Christians, who have “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3, ESV), are mightily blessed. Anyone who has a friend who “loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17) and who “sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24) is mightily blessed. A child who has a father who instructs and a mother who teaches (Proverbs 1:8) is mightily blessed. A husband and wife who are in the midst of a relationship where both are determined to live together and honor each other for the rest of their lives (Ephesians 5:31-33) are mightily blessed. A person who has shelter, food and clothing (Matthew 6:25-34) is mightily blessed. Brothers and sisters, whether physical or spiritual who dwell together in unity (Psalm 133) are mightily blessed. A person who can honestly say, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21) is mightily blessed. Dare I say it?—God Bless!
