Blessing

Never too late to Leave a Legacy

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“If we knew how great the grandkids would be we’d have had them first!” some people say. For a parent exhausted and discouraged by years of struggling with just getting it right for a day, even one hour of grandparenting can feel lile the balm of Gilead! What can be more refreshing than pushing your granddaughter on a swing or holding your grandson’s hand as you crunch through Autumn leaves? But unlike the sense of never ending and overwhelming responsibility that being a parent brings; grandparenting comes wrapped in the sweet sadness of knowing it may not be for long.

I have lived enough to know that one day this time will pass and I will no longer be here with them. No amount of hugs or kisses can change the calendar or slow the pendulum of life’s clock. But what I can do today is to be sure of what legacy I leave behind. Will I leave them a list of my fears and frustrations or will I pass on to them my faith? Will they weep and say, “Grand-dad went to be with the Lord” or will they have His peace knowing that my life has been wholly His? What a great hope lies before us! We can still leave behind a great legacy…not that we lived trouble free but that through every mighty storm He has been our mighty Savior!

An Unexpected Light

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How many times have we sung ‘This little light of mine?” forgetting that the verse comes at the end of the beatitudes? Contrary to general opinion Jesus wasn’t saying “Go out and smile all day” or ” Try being nice to your neighbor.” Jesus was taking a highlighter to the verses just before and dramatically days ” Put this into practice!”

Today as the first day of Lent consider putting into practice at least one verse each day. Be careful to ask God for help because not one of us can do these without Him. Why not begin today by treating others with the humility that comes from recognising that our only resource is from God? Then tomorrow allow the tears of others to become our own. On Friday work on being less quick to be a “know it all”. Saturday allow God’s passion for justice to guide your actions rather than what’s profitable and pleasing to you. If this Sunday others hurt us, may we remember how God has forgiven us for the evil we have done and be quick to pass His mercy along. Monday be watchful over your motives asking yourself if your words and actions reflect God’s heart or if they are manipulating people for our own advantage. Next Tuesday rather than stirring up debate be ready to be a bridge that connects people to God. By Wednesday of next week may we be willing and prepared with a joyful attitude to accept rejection, anger or even punishment so that others may see the light which Jesus Christ has lit in our hearts! If we put into practice these unexpected and even radical teachings of Christ who knows what blessings may follow in our paths?

Good Morning

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Have you ever noticed the three different greetings we use at different times of the day. Good night more or less means “goodbye” and sometimes carries with it a thankful looking back at our shared time. Good afternoon usually is “Hi how are you?” We use this greeting rarely maybe because we are too busy doing things to stop and share our day with others.

But best of all the three is “Good morning!” We use this more often and with more meanings. It can mean, “I’m so glad to see you as we begin this day together!” We also say this as a blessing, as if to say “I wish you well as you begin your new day!” Of the three greetings this is the one most likely to begin a conversation. We are saying “I am glad to see you and how you are doing?” Whatever your reason for “Good morning!” why not try using your first greeting of the day for Jesus Christ? He is glad when we come to Him first. He is reserving special blessings for today. God delights to hear our voice and wants to share our say with Him. So why not begin today first with Him? May His voice be the first we hear the one we listen to through the day so you can look back on your shared time together and be thankful at the day’s end!