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No matter what we go through in life we should be quick in allowing
ourselves to learn the lessons that each new experience brings to us. We
should allow ourselves to become better, to rise higher, to stand taller
and to have a deep and assured knowing that good will come from every
experience that life brings our way. There are many people in this world
who fear what tomorrow holds. They become frozen in their anxiety and
they allow their stagnation to keep them from experiencing all that God
wishes for them to experience. Life is a journey that should be savored,
enjoyed, relished, and while we are in it, we should realize and recognize
how blessed and favored we truly are. We shouldn't rush through our days
so that they all pass us by in a blur, but rather we should appreciate
each new day that we are lucky enough to see and give God thanks for the
privilege to be alive in this day in time. (Psalm 118:4-9) (Psalm 118:24)
No matter what you may be going through and no matter how hard your trials
are raging against you, I want you to know that you are blessed beyond
measure. You may be discouraged, depressed and feel like giving up, but I
want you to know that with God by your side, all will be well. You just
have to have that childlike trust and faith that you will become better,
wiser and stronger after you have gone through the fire. I encourage you
with my whole heart to enjoy the journey of life. See the difficulties as
building blocks to greener pastures. Know that you are becoming stronger
internally when you face difficult times, and knowing this, you should
face them with eager anticipation knowing that you are rising higher
because of them. (Job 23:10-12) (Mark 10:15)
One thing I know for sure and that is God is good. His mercies are new
every day, His grace envelops our being and His Love is without measure.
See that God loves you in every circumstance and know that you can call
upon Him day or night, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Lord never
sleeps, He never slumbers and His ears are always open to your heart's
cry. Praise God that He loves us even when we are so undeserving of it.
(Psalm 121:1-8) (Psalm 138:6-8) (Isaiah 59:1)
I hope this message encourages and inspires your heart to enjoy the journey
of life and all that it offers and use every experience to your benefit
now and in the future come.
THE “GOLDEN” SUITCASE
After five long years of college, my dear friend Kathy and I, our children
(Dianna and Michael), boarded an Amtrak passenger train, and headed off to
Colorado Springs.
My parents had so lovingly given me this paid vacation, as a college
graduation gift. I looked forward to sitting back, reading a non-medical
book, and watching miles and miles of countryside pass by.
The only problem was, I didn't have any luggage to pack my belongings in.
My friend Debbie, heard that I needed a suitcase and offered to lend me
one that belonged to her father, who had passed away long ago.
“I don't know if you'll want to use it,” she said so gently, “it's very
old, worn out, and such an ugly yellow color.”
I was so touched by her offer to lend something that belonged to her
father, but, I was also concerned about the possibly of it being damaged
or lost.
She insisted that I take it. So with the suitcase safely in hand, I
boarded the train.
It was so wonderful, to sit back, talk with Kathy, and spend this special
time with our kids. We enjoyed our meals from tables dressed in linen
cloth, played card games, and noted all the wonderful little city stops
passing by. We spent two days and one night on the train, sleeping in our
reclining seats.
As we slept, we were awakened at times, by the noises of the train pulling
in and out of the stations, as people got on and off at their stops.
Sleepily, we would open our eyes, to see the lights of the stations coming
out of the darkness, and then drift back off into sleep.
The next morning we eagerly awaited the announcement: Next stop, Colorado
Springs.
But suddenly, there came an another announcement over the loud speaker.
“During one of the overnight stops, many pieces of luggage were mistakenly
removed from the train and left at the wrong location.”
Kathy and I just looked at each other, as I felt the disappointment swell.
Could my worst fear be coming true, was Debbie's suitcase lost?
There we sat, now slumped in our seats, when two men neatly dressed, in
what seemed to be train conductor uniforms, casually walked down the
aisle, and passed our seats. They were both enjoying a hardy laugh and it
wasn't hard to overhear their conversation. The tone of their laughter
drew our interest.
Just graduating from nursing school, Kathy and I had learned to make an
assessment of every situation and we just knew that whatever they were
laughing at had to be good. But, all I could think about was the suitcase.
I wondered if I should I interrupt them, and tell them about Debbie's
suitcase and how important it was to her and me.
Then, one of them jokingly said to the other, “Did you ever see such an
old, ugly, brighter yellow, piece of luggage in all of your life?”
Before the other conductor could answer... with an unexpected shrill I
shouted, “YES, MY SUITCASE MADE IT!”
The two conductors stopped in their tracks! And, very red in the face,
couldn't seem to apologize enough for having insulted my suitcase.
Kathy and I laughed, as we tried to show our appreciation and convince them
that we were thankful for overhearing their conversation, and how relieved
we were in knowing that Debbie's suitcase was safe.
After five absolutely fantastic days of exploring the Rocky Mountains, we
and our suitcase had an uneventful train ride back to Michigan. I couldn't
wait to unpack and get the suitcase back into Debbie's safe hands.
When I returned it, and thanked her for allowing me to use it, she asked,
“Did everything go well on the trip?”
Somehow, I just couldn't resist telling her what happened. And how, what
she called, old, ugly, and yellow, became the most wonderfully
appreciated, antique, golden colored, piece of luggage on the train.
She laughed heartily. And when I recall her father's suitcase, I'm
reminded, that like the suitcase, we can see ourselves as too old,
useless, worn out, and of little value.
Or, we can take a closer look and realize that we are one of God's most
valued creations -- unique, and holding inside our most valuable
possessions -- that of love, faith, hope, and wisdom.
By Linda Ferris
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 138:6-8 “Though the LORD be high, yet hath He respect unto the
lowly: but the proud He knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of
trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against
the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will
perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever:
forsake not the works of Thine own hands.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the
things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth;
shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers
in the desert.”
Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be
not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.”
Psalm 28:6-8 “Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my
supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in
Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my
song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving
strength of His anointed.”
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath
begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: YOU MUSTN'T QUIT
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem157.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: I ALMOST DIED IN SIN
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony185.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
