Maybe I Never Will Be

I'm not very good
At this Game called Life
For I've not learned to see children crying
Without feeling pain
For I've not learned to watch animals destroyed
Without wondering why
For I've not yet met a king or a celebrity
That I would bow down to
Or a man so insignificant
That I would use for a stepping-stone
For I've not learned to be a 'yes man'
To narrow minded bosses
Who quote rules without reason
And I've not learned to manipulate
The feelings of others
To be used for my own advantages
Then cast aside as I see fit
No, I'm not very good
At this Game called Life
And if everything goes well
Maybe I never will be

Javan

© 1984, from Javan's book 'Something To Someone'

I Asked God

I asked God to take away my pain.
God said, No.
'It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.'

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
'Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.'

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
'Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is earned.'

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
'I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.'

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
'Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.'

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
'You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.'

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
'I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.'

I asked God to help me love others, as much as he loves me.
God said...
'Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.'

Author Unknown



The Shipwreck

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.

The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground--it just may be a smoke signal that summons The Grace of God.



You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Genesis 50:20

What Life Is All About



Life isn't about keeping score. It's not about how many friends you have. Or how many people call you. Or how accepted or unaccepted you are. Not about if you have plans this weekend. Or if you're alone. It isn't about who you're dating, who you use to date, how many people you've dated, or if you haven't been with anyone at all. It isn't about who you have kissed. It's not about sex. It isn't about who your family is or how much money they have. Or what kind of car you drive. Or where you're sent to school.

It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are. Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on, or what kind of music you listen to. It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, black, brown, or green. Or if your skin is too light or too dark.

It's not about what grades you get, how smart you are, how smart everyone else thinks you are, or how smart standardized tests say you are. Or if this teacher likes you, or if this guy/girl likes you. Or what clubs you're in, or how good you are at "your" sport. It's not about representing your whole being on a piece of paper and seeing who will "accept the written you".

But life is about who you love and who you hurt. It's about who you make happy or unhappy purposefully. It's about keeping or betraying trust. It's about friendship, used as sanctity, or as a weapon. It's about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful, maybe heartening. About starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip. It's about what judgments you pass and why. And who your judgments are spread to.

It's about who you've ignored with full control and intention. It's about jealousy, fear, pain, ignorance, and revenge. It's about carrying inner hate and love, letting it grow and spreading it.

But most of all, it's about using your life to touch or poison other people's hearts in such a way that could never occurred alone. Only you choose the way these hearts are affected and those choices are what life is all about.
Author Unknown

 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:36-40

The Best Antique Is an Old Friend



A woman was in a serious automobile accident in a city far from home.  She felt so enclosed in a cocoon of pain, she didn't realize how lonely she was until a "forgotten" friend in the city came to visit her.  She firmly but gently said to her, "You should not be alone."

In the weeks that followed, this friends advice rang in the injured woman's ears and helped her to overcome her otherwise reserved nature.  When another friend called from a city several hundred miles away to say she wanted to come stay with her, the injured woman didn't say, "Don't bother"--as would have been her normal response.  Rather, she said, "Please come."  The friend was a wonderful encourager and nurse to her, reading the Psalms aloud when she was still too weak to read herself.  Then yet another friend offered to come and help in her recovery.  Again she swallowed her pride and said, "Please do."  This friend stayed for several months until the injured woman was able to care for herself.

Even Jesus did not carry His own cross all the way to Calvary.  He allowed another to help shoulder His burden.  It's all right to ask for help and to receive help.  You don't have to "go it alone."  Let a friend help you.

Your own friend and your father's friend, forsake not... Better is a neighbor who is near (in spirit) than a brother who is far off (in heart).

Proverbs 27:10