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“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
– 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.
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com
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