Daily Stop & Thinks

Simplicity

The best toys in the world—like the best times—are the simplest. (James Emery White)

Emery adds that, in truth, the best toys are also “the most available.” He reports on a survey that concluded that the five best-loved toys are: stick, box, string, cardboard tube, dirt. This may be why when little children open their Christmas or birthday gifts, they soon turn to playing with the wrapping paper or the gift boxes. There’s probably a lesson there about simplifying life.

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. (1 Timothy 6:8)

Generosity

It is in giving that we receive. (Francis of Assisi)

The Bible quotes Jesus as saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). And Francis tells us why. When you give a gift to someone in need, you take joy in their grateful response. Not only have you helped them materially, but you’ve given them a glimmer of hope and encouragement. You can find great joy in being generous with all that God has given you.

But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand. (Isaiah 32:8)

Happiness

To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness. (Bertrand Russell, British philosopher)

Russell’s idea may seem strange at first reading. After all, a lot of people seem to be accumulating more and more “things,” thinking that more will bring greater happiness. Learning to do without, however, is a great lesson in what is truly essential for contentment in the rushing life of the 21^st century. Genuine happiness is to be found beyond the “things” we possess.

What sorrow awaits you who are rich, for you have your only happiness now. (Luke 6:24)

Make me walk along the path of your commands [oh, God], for that is where my happiness is found. (Psalm 119:35)

Perseverance

Nothing in the world can take the place of perseverance. (Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States)

Coolidge continues: “Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.” He concludes: “Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” That’s good advice for anyone who wants to succeed in business, the arts, and in life.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1).

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4).

Love

Love is a partnership of two unique people who bring out the very best in each other. . . (Barbara Cage, Australian gymnast)

Cage continues, “. . .and who know that even though they are wonderful as individuals, they are even better together.” On this Valentine’s Day, there is a lot of sentiment in the cards and gifts being exchanged, but Cage’s quote captures the real essence of love in the phrase “brings out the very best.” When we make every effort to do that, we are expressing love at its very best.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24)

Sharing

Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow. (Swedish proverb)

Experience has shown us that sharing is not a natural human trait. Children have to be taught to share—often with many struggles and much reluctance. On special occasions gift-giving can be a real joy, especially when gifts are shared. There is another side of sharing, too. Griefs and sorrows are endured so much more easily when they are shared with loving family and friends.

[Those who fear the Lord] share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. (Psalm 112:9)

Reading

My Best Friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read. (Abraham Lincoln)

In Lincoln’s day, there was a limited number of available books. Ebooks, blogs, and podcasts were far from even being imagined. Learning was restricted to orality, lecture, personal teaching, or finding and reading good books. We are all the beneficiaries of Lincoln’s desire to read and the broad knowledge he gained from it. What are you reading these days?

Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church. (1 Timothy 4:13)

Hope

Wishing and hoping for something in the future is to ignore present reality. (Jesse Deloe, writer)

When someone is hoping, maybe even planning for something unrealistic, something that most likely will never happen, we call that “wishful thinking.” We should prepare for the future, of course, and successful planning demands a pretty clear understanding of present reality. Careful and realistic planning will help to fulfill your hopes for the future.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12).

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for (Hebrews 11:1).

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Preparation

It’s not the will to win that’s important; it’s the will to prepare to win. (Paul “Bear” Bryant, late football coach)

Bryant noted that everyone has the will to win, but that’s not enough. This often-quoted statement certainly goes much deeper than what is often promised: if you just want to bad enough, you can gain whatever you want. Winning takes more than talent and ability. It most often requires training, discipline, and perseverance. Want to win and work hard to do it.

Prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control (1 Peter 1:13).

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should (1 Corinthians 9:27). 

Aging III

A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. (John Barrymore, late American actor)

According to Barrymore, when the time comes that we begin to long for the “good old days” rather than think expectantly about the future, we have become “old.” Of course, the elderly have to use common sense in planning for the future. Age does slow us down in many ways, but it must not stop us from pursuing our hopes and dreams as long as our health permits it.

Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. (Psalm 71:18)

Aging II

Growing old is compulsory—growing up is optional. (Bob Monkhouse, late English entertainer)

The days, months, and years keep adding up. You can’t slow them down, speed them up, or stop them altogether. When you were growing up, your parents might have said, “Act your age,” because you were being childish. Perhaps the same challenge should be given to some older folks who haven’t been acting as mature adults. So, regardless of the years, act your age.

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. (Psalm 39:4)

Aging I

May your years be counted not by your age but by how you spend your days. (Catherin Pulsifer, author)

As we experience each birthday, many of us begin to think more seriously about the passing of time and how much of the future we will have to enjoy life. How much better it is to look at life one day at a time and determine to make the best possible use of that day, perhaps to increase our learning and experience or to find ways to encourage and enhance the lives of others.

In the few days of our meaningless lives, who knows how our days can best be spent? (Ecclesiastes 6:12)