A Precious Gift...

"The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it is called the present." Alice Morse Earle.

Wouldn't it be nice to know where life will take us?  We want our world to be wrapped up in a neat and tidy bow so that there are no unexpected surprises or setbacks.  But life is lived one day at a time. When we come to the realization that we are not guaranteed our days, each day becomes a precious gift. Psalms 90:12 says, "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."

No matter what we plan, we are not in control. God has planned our birth and our death.  And, as we lead our busy lives in between those two events, we are meant to honor Him. Through our thoughts, deeds, actions and thankfulness we should give God the glory. Many times we feel as if we have wasted our days. God is patient and loving. We are allowed to begin anew. Take time today to be kind to a stranger, offer praise, or enjoy a sunset. Open your gift!

"Come now, you who say, “...You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes..." James 4:14.

A sense of accomplishment...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

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 A course of study seems to the student to be an endless amount of reading, studying, test taking, presentations, internships, and results.  The student might not think about the blessings that God has bestowed upon her.  How blessed she is to have been given the brains, the aspirations, and the ability to imagine the outcome!  There may be delays and setbacks, but with trusting focus comes the desire to accomplish a dream.

And so the months go by and soon, the golden ring is in sight!  A sense of worthiness and satisfaction is at hand. On graduation day, a prayer is spoken and a diploma is received.  But in this path of life, God lights the way.  Graduation is not an end, but a beginning.  A new opportunity with many more blessings. A time to listen to the Word. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21.

 

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

 

Joyful giving

It always turns into a personal joy when we lend a hand to others.  Isn't that what God intended: a blessing to the person helping as well as to the person assisted?

When our oldest son was in fourth grade, he took it upon himself to befriend a student who was rarely included in "the group."  He spent time talking to him, helping him with school work, and including him in recess fun.  It made our son feel happy inside because no one should be without a friend.  It was a great lesson for the other students as well.  Not everyone marches to the same beat and that is why we are called individuals!

                                         { Source: Science Daily}

Philippians 2:3 says ,"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." Jesus spent his earthly life helping others.  He never thought of His own wants along His journey.  It is the least we can do to extend a hand in kindness. It is a joyful thing to do when we share God's smile.