Thursday, June 7, 2012

It’s the Little Things








Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It with your friends
 
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”  
                                                                       
– 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

“I’m good enough, I’m smart enough and doggone it, people like me” – Al Franken  (aka. Stuart Smalley), SNL 1991

This quote came from a Saturday Night Live skit back in the 90’s called Daily Affirmations with Stuart Smalley.  It was trivial, simple and meaningless, but people grabbed ahold of it and it carried on for years.  The need for affirmations in our life is an inherent characteristic in all of us.  Most of us lack the confidence in our own abilities and draw upon the encouragement and affirmations of others to give use strength in our lives. 

I’m reminded of a story about a beggar selling pencils from a small tin cup for 25c and a successful banker.  Every day the banker would pass by the beggar and drop a dollar into his cup, and take a pencil.  He would nod and simply state, “Pleasure doing business with you.”  One day the banker came to work and the beggar wasn’t on the street in his normal spot.  The next day and the next the same.  Eventually the banker forgot about the beggar.  One day when the banker walked into a public building nearby, he saw the beggar running his own concession stand, selling newspapers and gum.  He walked over to by a newspaper from his old acquaintance.  The beggar straightened up and thanked the banker, “I always hoped you would come by.  When I was a beggar you always reminded me that I was doing business, and it changed my thinking and helped me actually start this small business.  I want to say thank you for helping me.” 

We all have the ability to use our life as a light to others or as a burden.  We can choose to be positive in our interaction with those we meet or to be critical and negative.  Small tokens/words of encouragement go a long way in helping to shape and change the minds of those who are struggling in life.  Do not let moments slip by when you have the opportunity to provide grace and love to another, whether they deserve it or not.  Every day you awake is a new opportunity the Lord has provided for you to influence and change the lives of those you come in contact with.  You don’t have to solve their problems, you simply have to give them hope and encourage them to press on.  It’s your choice how you are going to use the day He has given you.  It is not to be wasted.  As God has encouraged you and provided you grace for the day, so in turn share it with others.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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