DO NOT FORGET ABOUT THEM

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. 

Last night as I drove to pick up a late dinner. I could not help but think about those who are less fortunate, specifically, the homeless. I did not allow my car to get toasty and warm like I would normally do on a cold morning, but instead I just started the engine and drove on. It was very cold last night and I was comforted knowing in a few minutes my car would warm up. I would have heat. I could not say the same for those people who have no home to go to for comfort and warmth. I was immediately saddened and said a prayer for them.

I woke up this morning thinking about the less fortunate and said another prayer for them. I then listened to music of praise for my Lord. I am so grateful for all the Lord has done for me but not only for that reason, but just because of who He is.

It is important that we do not forget about others who have no home, who are literally sleeping on streets, under bridges, or wherever they can find a place of rest. Do not forget about others who are away in homes because they cannot care for themselves. Some of them have no family or friends who visit them. Do not forget about others who might have a home, but no food in the home. 

Before we gather around the table and have our fill of food, might we say a prayer for the people who are less fortunate? Along with prayer, can we also do what is in our power to do to help them?

"He who has a generous eye will be blessed,
For he gives of his bread to the poor." Proverbs 22:9

"For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ " Matthew 25:35-40

Be blessed.

LIFE IS LIKE A PUZZLE

Pieces of a puzzle are scattered about a living room floor. It's not a jumbo puzzle made up of a few pieces. Those are fairly easy to put together. No, the puzzle is made up of a thousand smaller pieces. They're made up of a variety of colors and a different cut here, a jagged edge there. It's not so easy to put together as a puzzle consisting of a few large pieces. Now, just how do all of the pieces come together?

Life is like a puzzle. We experience situations that we don't always understand. At times we can make sense of things, but other times we just can't seem to understand what happened, why it happened, or why it happened to us. It's like a puzzle that hasn't come together just yet. The picture isn't clear. Every experience, situation, or event is a puzzle piece that slowly fits with one another to make a complete puzzle. 

Whatever you're going through right now might not make sense to you. The puzzle piece doesn't fit. It's out of place with the other pieces. We want to see the complete picture. We want to see how it all works out in the end. The Lord knows all things. He knows how all of the pieces fit and when they all come together. Just like working a thousand piece puzzle can be a tedious, it can take some time for the pieces to come together in your life. One day they will fit together, create a complete picture, and it will all make sense to you.

Trust the process. Trust the Lord.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

Be blessed.

BEAUTY STILL EXISTS

I admit I am not one for watching many news reports these days. I understand the importance of keeping abreast of what is happening in my local area, state, nation, and the world, but I do not look forward negative dark stories that make their way to our television, computers, and radio stations.There is no denying the ugliness that exists in this world, but one can still find beauty in things. 

Watching green leaves turn into warm colors in Autumn is beautiful. When a life is taken, there is beauty in a life that is saved. A picturesque view of a calm peaceful ocean after tempestuous winds is a beautiful thing. Yes it is. God's beauty and His beautiful creations are all around me in spite of the ugliness that seemingly happens at every turn in this day and age. I cannot escape the ugly things of this world but I choose to admire the beauty this world has to offer.

Be blessed.