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We should always have a positive upbeat attitude knowing that no matter
how difficult our circumstances may become, we have a Comforter who has
promised to meet our needs and keep our life on His solid ground. We
should never compare ourselves with those who have no hope because our hope
is the Lord Jesus Christ and He has promised to never leave us nor forsake
us. Let us go forth in life with confidence trusting the Lord in all our
ways and knowing that He will bring good from us and to us. (Proverbs 3:5-12)
I hope this message encourages your heart to see the joy in living. Enjoy
each day to its fullest and listen to that still small voice of God
cheering you on towards victory.
CREATE SPRING
“Long after the cold, bitter and lost days, the warmth of hope and ideals
renewed still remain,” he said.
It might seem strange to you. But I get the same relaxing feeling lying on
my back in the snow as I do lying on the beach in summer. I close my eyes
and listen to the world around me. I hear children laughing and the sun
keeps me warm. I have learned to be where I want to be just by closing my eyes.
We've had some snow here where I live. The kind of snow that calls the
hearts of young and old alike.
“Come play! Ride the hill and slide down the mountain. Laugh and create
tomorrow's memories while you can.”
So now that my children play no more beside me in the snow or on the
beach, I have all I can do to remember. I bring them back into my life just
by lying in the snow and closing my eyes.
It was getting dark and most of the children had headed home to the warmth
of dry clothing and a cup of hot chocolate perhaps. I thought it safe to
find a spot alongside the hills I once played on. They aren't so big any
more. But at this point I find big thoughts in little things.
I laid back and closed my eyes. Off in the distance I could hear the
laughter. Wanting it to be so, I swear it was my own two sons and my
wife, Marianne making all the noise. Then their voices faded as they have
in reality. I remained there in near silence until I heard the crunching
sound of bitter cold air and freshly packed snow under foot. It startled
me at first, but I remained still until the sound grew louder and the
steps quicker.
“Are you Okay?” his voice broke the silence.
Sitting up I could see a man silhouetted against the bright moonlight now
reflecting off the snow.
“Yes, I am,” I replied. “I'm just dreaming of days lost and moments
treasured from the past.”
“Your children grew up?” he said.
“Yes they did. But they left me here with all the memories. How did you know?”
“I've been there, too,” he said.
Now rising to my feet, I could finally see his face. He was an older
gentleman with soft white hair tucked into his dark blue stocking cap. The
kind I remember wearing when I was in the Navy. His down filled jacket
gave him the appearance of a hefty man, but his height, about 5' 5” showed
him to be small in stature.
“What brings you here?” I asked.
“Well, my grandson was sledding here and somewhere along the way he lost
the ring I gave him. He wore it on a chain around his neck. I must have
told him a hundred times not to wear it when he's out playing,” he said.
“Perhaps I can help you find it,” I said.
“I think there's little chance of that. It's getting late and even the
bright moon isn't enough light to see it.”
“Well, maybe tomorrow, if you get here early enough. It's a school day so
the park won't be as crowded,” I said. He appeared to be saddened by the
loss of the ring. He stood there briefly kicking at the small mounds of
snow at the base of the hill.
“Was it very valuable?” I asked.
“Oh, not in dollars and cents. It belonged to my wife. It was my high
school ring. I gave it to her when I asked her to “go steady.” Maybe that's
before your time,” he said smiling.
“No, we called it going steady, too.”
I felt sorry for him. A memory like that is truly a treasure to hold on to.
“I hope you find it. It really is valuable,” I told him.
“If not now, I am sure the Spring thaw will reveal its location,” he said.
“Gee, I wouldn't count on that. I'd keep searching until I found it again,”
I said.
“Like you were searching for those lost days with your children?” he said.
It caught me off guard. The truth does that. “Yes, I have been searching
and most likely will the rest of my days,” I said.
“Well, my friend, there is a lesson here. Long after the cold, bitter and
lost days of our lives, the warmth of hope and ideals renewed still
remain,” he said.
“I need to wait for my Spring thaw?” I asked.
“Yes. And that comes when you warm up to the realities in your life. Your
children could not remain children all of their lives. If God wills it,
you will once again experience the joy of children. Theirs. If you did a
good enough job, on a day long after you and I have left this Earth, your
sons will be found lying on their backs dreaming about their memories in
the snow.”
“So the only way I'll find what I'm looking for is to stop looking?” I asked.
“Not exactly,” he replied. “You need to rid yourself of the cold, bitter
outlook you have and warm up to the fact that you have what you are
searching for already,” he said.
“I want Spring. It is my favorite time in my life. The flowers give me
hope,” I said.
Then moving closer, he looked into my eyes and said, “Create Spring in your
soul so that you will always have the spirit of the flower, even in the
dead of Winter.”
Create Spring my friend...life is cold enough.
By Bob Perks
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 37:23-27 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He
delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand. I have been young, and now am
old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging
bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Depart
from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.”
1 Timothy 6:6-10 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we
brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing
out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they
that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the
love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they
have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed
on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for
in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: ENRICHING THOUGHTS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem157.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE OUR SIDE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony52.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
