So I was stopped at a red light yesterday on my way back to the office from the Rotary Club meeting and as was sitting there waiting for the light to change, it suddenly occurred to me that the Lord has been mighty good to us.

I noticed how good the sunlight felt shining through the windshield and off to my left I saw a group of birds flitting about in a tree as if playing some form of aviary tag and I know it sounds corny, but for some reason the combination of sunlight and birds at play brought a smile to my face.

And again it occurred to me that the Lord has been mighty good to us.

And then one of those 80s songs that used to get you jamming back in the day came roaring to life in my old SUV and this also brought a smile to my face.

I began to recall some of the witty banter I had just enjoyed at the Rotary Club meeting. By the way, this is one of the primary reasons you might want to join the Rotary Club. There is no greater witty banter anywhere in the world. This club has the wittiest and the banteriest banter.

The Rotary Club has a contest each year in which its members try to predict how Clemson, South Carolina, Furman, Wofford and The Citadel will fare in their respective football seasons. Each member fills out a form and uses his or her prognosticatorial (I know it’s a made-up word but doesn’t it sound pretty?) powers to try and ascertain each team’s won-loss record. Whichever person(s) make the best prognostications get prizes at the end of the season. There was some talk of a cruise to Jamaica and a brand new Lexus. These AREN’T the prizes, there was just some talk about them.

Actually the winners DO GET several neat and nice winnings donated by local businesses and individuals and we are most grateful for them.

This time of year is one of the most enjoyable if you are a college football fan. Everybody’s tied for first place. Everyone’s favorite team is undefeated.

Here’s to the college football season. I wish everyone well. I hope South Carolina, Clemson, Wofford, Furman, The Citadel, and your favorite team if it’s not one of these, all do well this year. God bless them all and God bless their fans.

If you’re a fan of a team, be a HUGE fan. If you think your team is the best, wear their colors, get one of those big magnetic logos and stick it on your vehicle, put a giant flag up in your front yard. Go whole hog with it. It’s supposed to be fun, after all.

The light turned green and I glanced at the birds one more time before I drove away. What a good day this was turning out to be.

Rev. Joyce Murphy used to say, “All we have is a gift from God.”

She was speaking of the things that make us happy.

I reckon that includes sunshine.

And birds.

And even the excitement of a new college football season on the horizon.