Daily Stop & Thinks

Gratitude I

Gratitude [is] nearly the greatest of all human duties, (and) nearly the most difficult. (G. K. Chesterton, 20^th century English writer)

Why is gratitude so difficult? We begin teaching our children to say, “Please” and “Thank you” at the very earliest ages. Is the American spirit of independence so strongly ingrained, that we like to think we can do it all on our own; we don’t need help? But gratitude may be “the greatest of human duties,” because as the Bible asks, “What do we have that we did not receive?”

You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. (2 Corinthians 9:13)

Learning

Life is a series of lessons which must be lived to be understood. (Thomas Carlyle, 19^th century British philosopher)

As Carlyle suggests, lessons are best learned, not by rote and lecture, but by experience. The accumulation of valuable knowledge is the result of lots of living. And no one should try to avoid such learning. To put it simply, to live is to learn. The secret to good learning, then, is to pay careful attention to life’s experiences, using reason and wisdom to make them most beneficial.

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)

Life’s Purpose

There are two great days in a person’s life – the day we are born and the day we discover why. (William Barclay, 20^th century Scottish Bible scholar)

None of us can remember the day we were born, but others may have told us how happy a day that was. And, certainly, it was the launching of a life’s experience that is completely unique to us. Barclay’s comment is a challenge for us to discover that purpose each of us has in life and to develop it fully to the glory of God and the blessing of all we can influence.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28)

Happiness

Remember that happiness is a way of travel—not a destination. (Roy M. Goodman)

For some people, happiness is like the proverbial pot of gold that is supposed to be found at the end of the rainbow. We may work hard to be happy, but happiness is more a by-product of healthy and good living than the end goal. We should work to bring worthy contributions to society and to be an encouragement of others. That way, we’ll discover happiness along the way.

Encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Happy New Year!

Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, “It will be happier.” (Alfred Lord Tennyson.19^th century British poet)

Welcome 2021! The world may never have been more grateful to close the door on a year gone by. And as Tennyson suggests, we’re hoping 2021 will indeed “be happier.” But, of course, we shouldn’t be looking for others to provide happiness for us. Make every effort to honor God and encourage others, and you’ll find both joy and contentment.

The life of the godly is full of light and joy. (Proverbs 13:9)

A Resolution for the New Year

This year I want my life to be less busy, but fuller! (Judy Yeager, benefactor & volunteer)

If you’re into making resolutions for 2021, Yeager’s is a good one to consider. Many of us complain about how busy we are. So much to do and so little time, it seems. Perhaps you could follow her plan: “Each unscheduled day, asking God what He has in mind for me.” That would certainly set a high priority on our busy lives, wouldn’t it? Let’s try it!

Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3)

Year’s End

“Another year is almost over . . . (Pria Priyambada)

. . . and I just want to thank the special people in my life who have listened without judgment, helped without conditions, understood with empathy, and loved me no matter what.” Before you make your resolutions for 2021, review this past year and remember all the people who helped and influenced you—and send them a note of thanks. And thank God for his blessing.

In that wonderful day you will sing: “Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is! (Isaiah 12:4)

Doing Right

Choose right, oppose wrong, dignify life, and esteem everyone. (Roddie Edmonds, WWII veteran)

Edmonds was in a prisoner of war camp when he was faced with a difficult challenge from his captors. The decision to defy the commandant’s command could have cost him his life, but to obey would have caused the certain death of more than 200 of his fellow prisoners. In God’s providence he was spared, but the quote above became known as Roddie’s Code.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. (1 Peter 3:12)

Passion

I just set myself on fire, and people come from miles around to watch me burn. (John Wesley, 18^th-century evangelist)

Wesley’s use of hyperbole makes a very clear statement about his passion. He battled against the “establishment” to bring change that resulted in what we now think of as Methodism. What would such fervor bring about if we were to be so invested in a worthy cause? Instead of being involved in lesser things, we ought to emulate Wesley’s passion for noble ends.

Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Ephesians 6:7)

Loyalty

Too often a sense of loyalty depends on admiration, and if we can’t admire, it is difficult to be loyal. (Aimee Buchanan, Olympic figure skater)

Sometimes we find ourselves in a quandary. Perhaps we are on a team where loyalty is essential, but some of our teammates badmouth the coach. Or maybe we have to work with people whose conduct is unacceptable. In those situations, it’s helpful to remember that we are responsible only for our own conduct. We must do our best and set an example of trustworthiness.

Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6)

After Christmas

Peace on earth will come to stay when we live Christmas every day. (Helen Steiner Rice, late American poet)

It’s surprising—and often disappointing—how quickly the Christmas spirit disappears after the holiday is over. What happened to the peace on earth and good will to men that we heard at Christmas services and in songs? Rice is right. It won’t happen if we relegate the thought to one season of the year. Work hard to practice the spirit of peace every day.

When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. (Proverbs 16:7)

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)

Christmas

I heard the bells on Christmas Day / Their old familiar carols play / And wild and sweet, the words repeat / Of peace on earth, good-will to men. (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 19^th-century American poet)

In a world that has been continually torn with constant turmoil, repeated conflicts, and threats of war, we pray on this Christmas Day for lasting peace. This is the day we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, who alone can reign sovereignly over a kingdom free from strife. We prayerfully await his promised return to establish just such a kingdom.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)