A Good Day

"What Kind of Day Shall I Have?"

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the day ends.

I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important.

My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or ...

I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or

I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan

my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or

I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me

when I was growing up or  ...

I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or  ...

I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or  ...

I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or  ...

I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or  ...

I can eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or ...

I can feel honored because Life has provided shelter for my mind, body, and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the

sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to me

Have a GREAT DAY  ... unless you have other plans

Vision

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I would marry you.'

  One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her; ’Now that you can see the world, will you marry me‘?' The  girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying:  'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a  very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life Is a Gift.  Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak. I

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife — Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life — Think of someone who went too I  early to heaven.

Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.

 

A Love Story

I asked Jesus, “How much do you love me?”

He answered, “This much!”

Then He stretched out His arms and died for me!

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah! The beauty of God’s creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord’s presence with me. He asked me, “Do you love me?” I answered, “Of course, God! You are my Lord and Savior!”

Then He asked, “If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?”

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs, and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn’t be able to do and thought about the things that I take for granted. I answered, “It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You.”

Then the Lord said, “If you were blind, would you till love creation?”

How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, “It’s hard to think of it, but I would still love you!”

The Lord then asked me, “If you were deaf, would you still listed to my word?”

How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God’s Word is not merely using our ears, but out hearts. I answered, “It would be tough, but I would listen to Your word.”

The Lord then asked, “If you were mute, would you till praise My name?”

How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me, God 

wants us to sing from our hearts and souls. It never matters what we 

sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we 

are prosecuted, we give God praise with out words of thanks. So I 

answered, “Thought I could not physically sing, I would still praise 

Your Name.”

And the Lord asked, “Do you really love Me?”

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, “Yes Lord! 

 I love you because You are the one and true God!”

I thought I had answered well, but God asked, “Then why do you sin?”

I answered, “Because I am only human. I am not perfect.”

“Then why in times of peace do you stray the furthest? Why only in times 

of trouble do you pray the earnest?”

I had no answers…only tears.

The Lord continued. “Why only sing and fellowships and retreats? 

Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? 

Why ask things so unfaithfully?” The tears continued to roll down my 

cheeks. “Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to other when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excused when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?”

“You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all. Do you truly love me?

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, “Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child.”

The Lord answered, “Thant is My Grace, My child.”

I asked, “Then why do you continued to forgive me? Why do You love me so?”

The Lord answered, “Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you should with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry. I will be with you until the end of days, and I will love you forever.”

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, “How much do you love me?”

The Lord stretched out His arms, and I say His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior. And for the first time, I truly prayed. 

​

~Author Unknown~

​

Just Stay

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. “Your son is here,” she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient’s eyes opened.

Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man’s limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.

The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward,
holding the old man’s hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused.

Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital – the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.

Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her, “Who was that man?” he asked.

The nurse was startled, “He was your father,” she answered.

“No, he wasn’t,” the Marine replied. “I never saw him before in my life.”

“Then why didn’t you say something when I took you to him?”

“I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn’t here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, I knew how much he needed me. I came here tonight to find a Mr. William Grey. His son was killed in Iraq today, and I was sent to inform him. What was this gentleman’s name?”

The nurse with tears in her eyes answered, “Mr. William Grey …”

The next time someone needs you … just be there. Stay.

 

The Land Of Hope

Today's Scripture

"I've pitched my tent in the Land of Hope" (Acts 2:26 Message).

Today's Word

Where have you pitched your tent today? What are you expecting to happen in your life? What kind of attitude do you have? If you're focused on what's wrong, or what's not working, it's time to dig up your tent stakes! It's time to pack up your belongings and move out of the land of discouragement. Move out of the "Not-going-to-happen" sub-division. Move out of "Can't-do-it-ville." It's time to leave "Self-pity Estates." Get out of those areas and move into the land of hope, faith, and expectation. Maybe you don't quite know how to get there, but now's the time to start looking for that new place. Open your heart to the Lord and ask Him to direct your thoughts and expectations. The Bible says that those who hope in the Lord will never be put to shame. You can trust God to order your steps. You can trust Him to move you from the land of disappointment to the land of hope today!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for ordering and directing my steps. Thank You for taking me to the land of hope! I release all my past hurts and disappointments to You today and ask that You fill me with Your faith and expectancy for a bright future! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

If I Knew

by Norma Cornett Marek

If I knew it would be the last time
that I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would know I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
And we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
And you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry," "Thank you,"
"Please forgive me," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

You Be The Judge...NOT!

It was a cold winter's day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked in the church.

As t got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church. He was almost laying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet, with holes all over them, his toes stuck out. I assumed this man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the church.

We all fellow-shipped for a few minutes, and someone brought up the man laying outside. People snickered and gossiped but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me. A few moments later church began. We all waited for the Preacher to take his place and to give us the Word, when the doors to the church opened.

In came the homeless man walking down the aisle with his head down. People gasped and whispered and made faces. He made his way down the aisle and up onto the pulpit where he took off his hat and coat. My heart sank. There stood our preacher ... he was the "homeless man'. No one said a word. The preacher took his Bible and laid it on his stand. "Folks, I don't think I have to tell you what I am preaching about today."

The Builder

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife, enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor.

The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.

When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house" he said, "my gift to you." The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then with a shock we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we'd do it much differently.

But we cannot go back. You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. "Life is a do-it-yourself project," someone has said. Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the "house" you live in tomorrow. Build wisely:

Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody is watching.

Why I'm Quitting

"God, there's just not enough room for the both of us to be in charge of my life.  It's not that I haven't taken the job seriously, mind you!  I have fretted, laid awake nights, and worked out the most detailed and wonderful schemes.  The problem is not with the planning and scheming.  It's with the "control" thing.  Or perhaps I should have said the lack-of-control thing.   

Oh, I know.  You have repeatedly told me that You are competent to be in charge and that putting You in charge would relieve me of worry.  But I seem to enjoy it.  The fact I'm worried about tomorrow seems to tell my sick soul that I somehow have a semblance of control over it.  But I don't.  I just don't. 

Then there's the mess I make of things.  The worried-over plan begins to be put in motion, one of those things or people I can't control comes into play and the bus runs into the ditch!   I try to press on.  I try to force outcomes.  The ditch gets deeper, and the pain begins to come. 

Even so, You show up and offer to take control.  You ask me-without ever forcing things-to turn loose of the wheel and trust You to steer.  Sometimes I want to let you have control.  I really do.  Then something wells up inside me that makes me push You away-to tell You I can do it all by myself.  Truth be told, I'm often thinking that just as soon as I get this thing out of the ditch, then I'm going to ask You to drive.  Unfortunately, I never do. 

Then there are the people on the bus with me.  They are always the people I love most and for whose welfare I care about most passionately.  When I drive, then wreck, then push You away, I sense their disappointment.  Even that, however, hasn't been enough to this point.  It kills me to know I'm hurting them, but I still want to steer.  I want to be at the controls.  I want to be in charge.

The time has come to try another approach.  Oh it's not that I want to be heard saying that Your way is the way of last resort for me.  Or maybe it is?  But I'm just so tired and banged up.  And You and I both know things aren't getting any better with me in charge.  So that's why I've made up my mind. 

God, I'm quitting.  No more Mr. Know-It-All.  No more having to be in charge.  No more playing like I know more about myself than You do.  You're in control from this point forward.  Heart and mind and body, family and personal, career and social, Thursday as well as this coming Sunday, It’s all yours now." 

Because I quit.  At least I'm going to quit trying to have control over things that I can’t

I See

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. one man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end, They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed. one morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.

Epilogue ... There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite your own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy.