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We should never allow ourselves to get so down and discouraged that we
only focus on our past mistakes and shortfalls and believe the lie that
happiness will never be ours to possess. What we must realize is that
happiness is within our grasp, but we must let go of the past, not think
too far into the future and simply focus on this present time that we're
in. Letting go of the past is easy because we can't change it, alter it
or make it what we wished it would be. By continually focusing on our
past shortfalls we are inhibiting any chance of happiness in this present
time. Living in the past does nothing to bless your today's and
tomorrow's, it just continues to steal from you, so why let it? Instead
we should focus on the here and now.
Seeing our many blessings should cause us to forget the mistakes and
setbacks of our past. We should make a conscious decision to be thankful
for all that we are lucky enough to have. We should make known our
thanksgiving for our family and friends, our spouses and children, our
health, our homes, our jobs, and the list can go on and on. Just think
about all that you have and be thankful for it. Being thankful is easy
when we look at what we have and not on what we've lost. A grateful heart
will be a contented and peace filled heart. Yesterday is gone and with
tomorrow no man knows what will come, but we do have today to enjoy, to
relish, to ponder upon and to see how favored we have truly been in life.
By focusing on the right things, you are ensuring a blessed, joyful and
peace filled day.
I hope this message encourages and challenges your heart to see all that
you are lucky enough to have in your life. Be thankful for it and with
your words praise God for all that He has done for you.
IN THIS MOMENT
It was a cold, cloudy and rainy morning outside my kitchen window today. I
shivered and walked over to the kitchen table with a hot cup of coffee in
one hand and a steaming bowl of oatmeal in the other. I sat down, gave
thanks, and took in a spoonful of the oatmeal and a sip of the coffee. I
sighed as my chilled insides grew instantly warmer.
Just then I felt a nudge on my knee. I looked down and saw my little
beagle, Snoopy’s warm brown eyes looking up at me. I petted her head and
smiled down at her. Suddenly, I felt two arms wrap gently around my neck
as my daughter gave me a loving hug. I squeezed her arms with my hand and
said “Good morning” to her. I gazed out the window and saw a single ray of
sunshine breaking through the clouds and shining on the Maple tree in the
meadow behind my house. A red Cardinal flew down, landed on a branch, and
looked at me. It was beautiful. At that moment I felt so loved! I felt
loved not only by my daughter and my dog, but by God and life itself. At
that moment I had what we all want in this life: sweet, wonderful,
glorious happiness! I looked to the heavens, laughed, and thanked God for
my life!
Most of us go through life with one eye looking towards the future and the
other eye gazing into the past. Half our sight is focused on our goals and
desires. The other half is looking back with regret at mistakes and missed
opportunities. In order to be happy, though, both of our eyes have to be
here in the present. In order to be happy we have to live here now.
The future is only a dream and the past is only a memory. God doesn’t want
us to live in either. God wants us to live in this moment. God wants us to
love each other in this moment. God wants us to share kindness and have
happiness in this moment. Life is a collection of moments. May you always
fill yours with love, joy, and oneness with God.
By Joseph J. Mazzella
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 34:1-4 “I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and
let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and
delivered me from all my fears.”
Isaiah 40:28-29 “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the
everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth
not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding. He
giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth
strength.”
Psalm 34:17-19 “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth
them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a
broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the
afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”
Psalm 103:1-5 “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless
His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who
redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness
and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy
youth is renewed like the eagle's.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: WISDOM OF THE SOUL
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem182.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: SAND OR GRAVEL?
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony101.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
