Daily Stop & Thinks

Appreciation 

A person who feels appreciated will always do more than is expected. (Source unknown)

We’ve all heard too many complaints from people who don’t like or are dissatisfied with their jobs. Their quotas are too high; their fellow workers are slackers; the boss is demanding. What it often comes down to is simply that no one ever commends them for their work or says thanks. No doubt we can relieve a lot of this frustration if we could just learn to show appreciation.

You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well. (1 Corinthians 16:18)

Activity

There are exactly twenty-four hours in each day. . . Your time is fixed. (Dave Phelps, management consultant)

Phelps: “Managing your time isn’t the real issue. What you need is to manage the activities that are consuming your time.” A lot of us really do struggle to manage our time. We use calendars, appointment books, and devices, and still struggle to keep it all straight. Perhaps we should consider ways to make choices to evaluate, adjust, and even eliminate some of our activities.

I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night. . . Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool. (Ecclesiastes 8:16; 5:3)

Limits and Aging

Every phase of life has new limits to embrace. . . Whereas children age out of their limits; old people age into them. (Tim Sprankle, blogger)

The older you grow, the more you recognize your limitations. Memory begins to fade; energy is disappearing; hearing is more difficult, and much more. You can’t remember much about last week, but you can recall with some clarity events from your childhood. Sprankle writes, “One of the greatest ways to fight bitterness is to embrace limits.” 

Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise. . . When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. (Ecclesiastes 7:10; 11:8)

Starting and Finishing

Things are always at their best in the beginning. (Blaise Pascal, 17^th century French philosopher)

Is this always true? For sure, we like the smell and appearance of a new car (which don’t last long), and a freshly baked apple pie is never as good later. But, on the other hand, the finished work of an artist or composer may seem to improve over time. And, surely, the love of a young couple may grow deeper and stronger as time goes on. Begin well, but finish well, too.

Finishing is better than starting. (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Old Age

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm. (Henry David Thoreau, 19^th century naturalist)

It’s a sad thing, isn’t it, to see some elderly people rocking away the last days of their life, often in front of a TV that’s always on. There are others, no matter their age, who somehow find it possible to be as physically active as possible, always engaged mentally and interacting socially with those around them.

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)

Leadership

The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say Thank You. In between the leader is a servant. (Max DiPree, late American businessman and writer)

To follow the leader, people need to understand his view of reality. Are his feet solidly “on the ground?” Then, what is his leadership style? As he or she gives direction, is it with a sort of dictatorial manner, or do they learn and serve right along with the team? And then, when the task is completed (and often along the way), do they show appreciation for their teammates’ work?

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

Humility

Humility is thinking of others rather than yourself. (C. S. Lewis, late British scholar)

Or, as he put it elsewhere: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.” From the earliest stages of life, we are self-absorbed. It’s a while before babies begin to “see” other people as distinct from themselves. Some of us never seem to mature enough to recognize the value of people as individuals just like us.

Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Civility               

Civil discourse isn’t the answer to everything, but uncivil discourse isn’t the answer to anything. (N. T. Wright, British Bible scholar) 

There are a lot of pleas around the world for a return to civility. There doesn’t seem to be any venue where there can be calm discussion on the many controversial issues of the day. As Wright says, not everything can be resolved simply because we are civil in our discourse, but it is obvious that the lack of civility isn’t helpful at all. 

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. (Proverbs 15:2)

Doing Better                

Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. (Maya Angelou, late American poet and author)

It’s good advice. Even when we’ve done the very best we can, improvement may be possible. Not necessarily making what we did better but learning how to expand or go a bit further in our project. Continuing to study and learn will reveal new ways to advance personally and in our work. Never stop learning and doing better.

I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. (Revelation 2:19)

Hope

Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul. (Emily Dickinson, 19^th century American poet)

Hope, like love, is one of the prominent themes in literature and music. It is, also, thought of very lightly as a mere expression of desire, e.g., “I hope it won’t rain tomorrow.” That kind of wishing may be sustaining for a brief period, but it can’t last or provide confidence. Biblical hope, however, is the result of faith placed in One who is the great promise-keeper.

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. (Psalm 33:20)

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. (Hebrews 6:19)

Lips and Tongue

He who guards his lips guards his life (The Bible).

Some of us are old enough to remember a slogan of WW II: “Loose lips sink ships,” an idiom meaning “beware of unguarded talk.” That may not be of much concern today, but the warning to watch your tongue is always appropriate. Your words may not create a war danger, but they can certainly hurt people, even to the destroying of a person’s reputation and character.  

Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. (Proverbs 13:3)

The Heart

What I believe in my heart must make sense in my mind.

We seem to be a society of romantics. Hallmark movies repeatedly offer advice to people who are struggling with decisions about their love life. “Follow your heart” is the most common counsel. Lovers give up job security for the hope to live happily ever after. Genuine love is important, of course, but better advice might be to direct your heart.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (Proverbs 4:23)