Perspective

It seems that I only learn from my experiences after it's too late to make changes. How many times have I been in the middle of a situation, not knowing if I should go one way or another, and wished that I had a magic wand to wave and give me an answer? How many times have I looked back at my life and wished I had taken a different path? How many times have I objected to the guidance offered by those who love me? How often have I gone my own way, shunning the wisdom of others?

But yet, I can't change what was. I can learn from it. I am grateful for the good times and for the bad because both have molded me into the person I am. I'm thankful for the gentle souls in my life who have allowed me to make mistakes, for in those ways, I have grown. I've learned there are blessings in every situation. Sometimes I really have to look hard to find the blessings, but they are there if I will take the time.

I'm reminded of a story about a little boy who was annoyingly happy. No matter what happened, this little boy thought it was great. So, one time someone gave him a yard full of horse manure as a birthday gift. They thought, "That will teach him. There's no way he can be happy about manure." But lo and behold..... The boy was thrilled. When asked why, his response was, "I just know there's got to be a pony in there somewhere."

So, I look for the pony. It may take a while to find. I may have to dig around in the manure for a while. But with time, I can find the blessings in all situations. With God's help, I know I'll find the pony.

36 years

Whooo........ that's a long time! Rand and I were married 36 years ago today. Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday and yet it seems like forever.

This week is marked with special events. Our wedding anniversary is today, good friends Bob and Karen have a wedding anniversary tomorrow, my very good friend Arlene's birthday is today. This week will mark the close of careers for three of my coworkers, Marv, LeAnna and Gary, and I will miss them. Another friend Marty is in the hospital, has not been well for a long, long time and it sounds as though his time is coming to a close.

Some weeks seem so humdrum. Nothing out of the ordinary from one day to the next. And then I have a week like this. So many changes. Nothing remains the same, but we adapt and move on.

I wonder what new things God has in store for me tomorrow? or next week?

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I came across this quote the other day.
"What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I wonder what people hear from me by my actions. Do my words and my deeds match? Or do I preach one message and live another?

Lord, forgiving God, my guide and my strength....... Help me always to live transparently. Help me to act so that others will hear me, even if I don't say a word. I want to live as your messenger here in this world. Grant me strength. Grant me courage. Amen.