Being Grateful

Sometimes I am a selfish, spoiled brat.

I hope that the people who know me would disagree with that statement, but too often, it's true. Not necessarily when dealing with other people, but when it comes to my relationship with God, I can act like quite the pampered princess.

I've been thinking about it a lot with Thanksgiving coming up in a couple of days. I can be such an ingrate. There are times when I'd rather waste my breath complaining about everything that's not perfect than realizing the many wonderful things there are in my life. Certainly, I'm not the worst child on the planet, but God deserves so much better than what I too often give Him.

Because of that, I just wanted to take the time, instead of whining, to be thankful.

So, thank You, Lord, for the wonderful family you've given me.

Thank You for my true and loyal friends.

Thank You for the people who are still in my life and the memories I've made with those who aren't anymore.

Thank You for the little moments every day that remind me of what a good life I have and what an awesome God You are.

Thank You for the sound of children's laughter, the smell of honeysuckles in the spring, the beauty of a rainbow.

Thank You for good health and a sound mind and body.

Thank You for freedom and those who sacrificed to give and preserve it.

Thank You for Jesus, the cross, the empty tomb.

Thank You for Who You are, and the fact that You are the same yesterday, today and forever...regardless of what I may be going through.

Thank You that You never let me down, You always keep Your promises, and You love me no matter what.

And I love You, too.

"Making the most of every opportunity..."

As many of you probably know, I was sick last week. I managed to miss only one day of work, but getting up in the morning is still hard. (My energy level has yet to be up to par.) One of the side effects of being sick is that my voice sounded funny and I had a hard time singing. I barely got through Sunday services last weekend without my voice completely cracking and then at choir rehearsal Thursday, I kept losing it periodically. In between, it was frustrating not being able to sing to the radio as much as I would like. The people in other cars who look at me funny are probably thankful for that. By yesterday, I was doing pretty well, though.

Anyway, I knew eventually my voice would be back to normal. But one night I started thinking about what I would do if it didn't. It wasn't that I looked at the worst-case scenario, but people do lose their voices for long periods of time. I've seen it in people I know. I've been singing in church since I was three years old - before I can even remember. What would I do if I ever got to the point that I couldn't do it anymore?

It's a thought that scares me. But at the same time, I think it's good for us to look at our abilities and opportunities in this way. I think we would all appreciate them more. As I began to think about that possibility, my mind turned to others. What if I could no longer type or write? What if I couldn't express myself with words anymore?

Better yet, what if never again got the opportunity to talk to someone about Jesus? What if that person in my life that I need to show kindness to was suddenly not there and I didn't get another chance? In my past, I've come across people that needed Christ, but because I wasn't where I needed to be with Him, I couldn't be a witness to them. I've literally found myself in tears over people that I once knew who I may never see again and who I may not see in Heaven because I didn't take the opportunity to show them how to get there.

It's a sobering thought, huh? Our singles ministry theme verse is Ephesians 5:15-16 - "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." This is important for us all to remember as we live out our days here. We don't know how much time we have left, or how many chances we will have to do something for God. I know I've passed on a lot of opportunities that I may never get again.

So we should tell the people in our lives that we love them. We should use the talents and abilities God has given us while we have them. We should share the love of Jesus every time He gives us the chance. Making the most of every opportunity.

The Perfect Candidate

I cast my vote for the perfect candidate.

He is for truth and justice. He knows that things may not always seem fair, but that in the end, they work together for good. He always provides for those in his charge. He listens to his constituents. He always does what's best for them. He is kind and meek, but also strong and always in control.

He understands the difficult times that we go through because he has been through even more difficult times and emerged victorious. He cares so much about us that he put his life on the line many years ago to give us freedom.

He reaches out to children, the elderly, women, the disabled. He's even spent time with people who had communicable diseases. He loves everyone of every race the same. He is sympathetic to the suffering and merciful to even those who do him wrong. He is the perfect role model for us and our children.

I'm telling you, you can't go wrong with this candidate. There is no fault in him and nobody can accomplish what he can. He has the record to prove it. He has a long history of providing hope to the downtrodden, wholeness to the broken, nourishment to the hungry, peace to those in turmoil. At one time, he even saved the world. He's delivered on every promise he's ever made. Has any other candidate ever done that?

Have you cast your vote for him yet? I did years ago. He's never let me down. I've never been disappointed. Because my vote was cast for the perfect candidate.

Read more about him here.