Recently the speed limit on a heavily traveled two lane street in my neighborhood was reduced from 35 mph to 25 mph. Most drivers have seized the opportunity to slow down and relax. However every morning, I can see in my rear view mirror someone who needs on the spot anger management training. Do you know what I’m talking about?
It’s hard to maintain the 25 mph speed on a very long stretch of road. Sometimes my speedometer creeps up to just below 30 mph. I stay within a safe range because I know that there’s an occasional police car hiding on a side street. I’ve also witnessed cars being stopped for speeding. That is not how I want to start my day.
Occasionally I’ve seen someone pass another car which is maintaining the posted speed. It’s totally illegal but the driver is just too impatient to stay in line. I’ve seen lots of interesting facial expressions, steering wheel gripping, hand gestures and flashing of headlights.
The person who rides on my bumper brings me the greatest concern. I usually pull to the curb and let that person pass. I admit that I have reduced my speed even more just to make my point to an obnoxious driver behind me. That’s not my best behavior!
Very seldom do these agitated drivers save any time. I have observed that for all the stress and anger the hurried driver puts himself through, he usually ends up at the red light or stop sign with me right behind him.
So I will continue going the speed limit, ignoring the heated people and occasionally offering a prayer for their day.
Scripture Thought for Today: A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Proverbs 29:11 (NIV)
Read Proverbs 29:11 on Biblegateway
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
God's Love Filled to Overflowing
I recently read about a man who turned bitter and helpless when his request for a parking variance on his home was turned down by his neighborhood commission.
His gravel driveway didn’t meet the paved surface required by city code. He had been in a terrible accident and, as a result, health problems had forced him to retire. Although he was sometimes confined to a wheelchair, he still managed to do some work to pay his bills. The 64-year-old needed to park along his fence to use it to support himself while he climbed in and out of his pickup truck.
Everyone wanted to help him out but he didn’t have the money to install a parking pad. One person said he couldn’t get the situation out of his mind. He stepped forward and took action. He called several concrete companies to meet him at the sight, talk about it and come up with a way through the dilemma. The workers, without hesitation, volunteered time and supplies and finished the job in short order.
The man was speechless. He cried. He thought no one really cared.
I don’t know if the man realized it or not but he had experienced God’s love. These were ordinary people who were drawn by the love and caring in their hearts to help someone in need.
God calls us to love Him and to allow His love to overflow into loving others.
Scripture Thought for Today: Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)
Read Matthew 22:37-40 on Biblegateway
His gravel driveway didn’t meet the paved surface required by city code. He had been in a terrible accident and, as a result, health problems had forced him to retire. Although he was sometimes confined to a wheelchair, he still managed to do some work to pay his bills. The 64-year-old needed to park along his fence to use it to support himself while he climbed in and out of his pickup truck.
Everyone wanted to help him out but he didn’t have the money to install a parking pad. One person said he couldn’t get the situation out of his mind. He stepped forward and took action. He called several concrete companies to meet him at the sight, talk about it and come up with a way through the dilemma. The workers, without hesitation, volunteered time and supplies and finished the job in short order.
The man was speechless. He cried. He thought no one really cared.
I don’t know if the man realized it or not but he had experienced God’s love. These were ordinary people who were drawn by the love and caring in their hearts to help someone in need.
God calls us to love Him and to allow His love to overflow into loving others.
Scripture Thought for Today: Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)
Read Matthew 22:37-40 on Biblegateway
Monday, November 2, 2009
Unmasked
Last week I drove by a parade of preschoolers in their Halloween costumes. They were being led around the block by a small band! Some kids were walking on tiptoes; others were stretching arms and legs. They were having so much fun! It was entertaining to watch them pretend to be someone or something they weren’t. Little kids seem to love to fantasize.
I know many adults who are good at pretending. They wear masks as they walk through their day. I’ve seen smiles hide anxiety and constant pain. I’ve recognized anger coming from deep hurts and addictions. I’ve heard excuses meant to cover fears and uncertainties.
Ultimately many adults decide to take off their masks. The realities of life become too difficult to carry and too difficult to hide. For adults it can be a real struggle to reveal personal stories. Being honest can bring consequences. Some consequences are perceived but honesty can also lead to traumatic experiences. What will people think? Will I appear weak or out of control? Who might be affected by what I reveal? How much is too much to tell?
It is not easy to reveal the realities of our lives. It requires us to be honest about where we are in life, what we are doing, what we aren’t doing, what we could be doing, and why we are holding on to things that are taking us places we don’t want to be going. Finding friends for support, to pray with us, and hold us accountable helps us be successful.
For me, honesty starts with the person who is first in my life. Is it me or is it God? Is God leading me or am I going it alone? Am I feeling God’s comfort and peace or am I troubled and sad? When I do the things I don’t want to do, am I remembering that God is present to save me, forgive me and put me on the right path? Do I hold in my heart the One who created me and do I believe that He is THE ONE Who is best to help me get on the path I am to follow? Adjusting my life to more of Him and less of me allows Him to lead me where I should be.
Scripture Thought for Today: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
I know many adults who are good at pretending. They wear masks as they walk through their day. I’ve seen smiles hide anxiety and constant pain. I’ve recognized anger coming from deep hurts and addictions. I’ve heard excuses meant to cover fears and uncertainties.
Ultimately many adults decide to take off their masks. The realities of life become too difficult to carry and too difficult to hide. For adults it can be a real struggle to reveal personal stories. Being honest can bring consequences. Some consequences are perceived but honesty can also lead to traumatic experiences. What will people think? Will I appear weak or out of control? Who might be affected by what I reveal? How much is too much to tell?
It is not easy to reveal the realities of our lives. It requires us to be honest about where we are in life, what we are doing, what we aren’t doing, what we could be doing, and why we are holding on to things that are taking us places we don’t want to be going. Finding friends for support, to pray with us, and hold us accountable helps us be successful.
For me, honesty starts with the person who is first in my life. Is it me or is it God? Is God leading me or am I going it alone? Am I feeling God’s comfort and peace or am I troubled and sad? When I do the things I don’t want to do, am I remembering that God is present to save me, forgive me and put me on the right path? Do I hold in my heart the One who created me and do I believe that He is THE ONE Who is best to help me get on the path I am to follow? Adjusting my life to more of Him and less of me allows Him to lead me where I should be.
Scripture Thought for Today: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Choose Your Today
“How are you today?”
I smiled at the clerk and responded, “I am fine. How are you today?”
As my eyes met hers, her face lit up and with enthusiasm she reported that she was doing great.
“I start every day telling myself it’s going to be a great day. I continue telling myself throughout the day that it will be a great day. It works. I always have a great day.”
The clerk showed me the aisle to find what I was looking for as we continued our conversation. She disappeared around the corner.
As I drove home, I kept thinking about our conversation. It is true for me as well. My day goes better when I decide, right at the beginning of my day, that it is going to be a great day.
In the spring and summer when the sun comes through my window, it is easy to greet the day with a smile and a prayer. Now that fall is here and winter approaches, I am missing that sunny reminder. But enjoying an extra few minutes of warmth under the blanket now gives me a perfect place to be thankful for the day.
Scripture Thought for Today: This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
I smiled at the clerk and responded, “I am fine. How are you today?”
As my eyes met hers, her face lit up and with enthusiasm she reported that she was doing great.
“I start every day telling myself it’s going to be a great day. I continue telling myself throughout the day that it will be a great day. It works. I always have a great day.”
The clerk showed me the aisle to find what I was looking for as we continued our conversation. She disappeared around the corner.
As I drove home, I kept thinking about our conversation. It is true for me as well. My day goes better when I decide, right at the beginning of my day, that it is going to be a great day.
In the spring and summer when the sun comes through my window, it is easy to greet the day with a smile and a prayer. Now that fall is here and winter approaches, I am missing that sunny reminder. But enjoying an extra few minutes of warmth under the blanket now gives me a perfect place to be thankful for the day.
Scripture Thought for Today: This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
Monday, October 26, 2009
Grandmom's Faith
Growing up I loved spending time with my Grandmother Rachel.
“Everything’s going to be okay because Grandmom says so.”
That’s what I always heard when I shared my fears, sadnesses or hopes with grandmother. She would give me a crushing grandmom hug, make her declaration and that would be the end of our conversation. It was always comforting.
When I left home to go to college, we would talk over the phone. At the end of our conversation grandmom would always tell me that she was praying for me every day.
As an adult I look back and can see the strength of grandmom’s faith. I know that Grandmom was a woman of prayer. She really believed in the power of prayer. As she prayed, she truly believed, she knew, that God would answer her prayer.
Grandmom never talked about her faith. She lived her faith everyday. She was a quiet witness to those who knew her and loved her.
After all these years, there are still times when I hear a voice within me say, “Everything’s okay because grandmom says so.” With a smile I am prompted to take my concern to God in prayer.
Today’s Scripture Thought: Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 (NIV)
“Everything’s going to be okay because Grandmom says so.”
That’s what I always heard when I shared my fears, sadnesses or hopes with grandmother. She would give me a crushing grandmom hug, make her declaration and that would be the end of our conversation. It was always comforting.
When I left home to go to college, we would talk over the phone. At the end of our conversation grandmom would always tell me that she was praying for me every day.
As an adult I look back and can see the strength of grandmom’s faith. I know that Grandmom was a woman of prayer. She really believed in the power of prayer. As she prayed, she truly believed, she knew, that God would answer her prayer.
Grandmom never talked about her faith. She lived her faith everyday. She was a quiet witness to those who knew her and loved her.
After all these years, there are still times when I hear a voice within me say, “Everything’s okay because grandmom says so.” With a smile I am prompted to take my concern to God in prayer.
Today’s Scripture Thought: Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 (NIV)
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