The Small Stuff

We've heard it all before, but I just wanted to say it again...

Here are a few sound bites on overcoming the nagging impossibilities in your life and finding a way to ignore the pet peeves that get under your skin, and just keep on keeping on:

• No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.
• Choose your battles. Don't sweat the small stuff.
• When you know that you're capable of dealing with whatever comes, you have the only security the world has to offer.
• Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.
• Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.
• Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Let tomorrow take care of itself.
• Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.
• Don't cast your pearls before swine. Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.
• The Enemy only starts shooting once you go over the top.
• Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember, the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.
• We will either find a way, or make one.
• The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.
• It is not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it. 
• Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable.
• If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.
• Truly great folks never stoop
  To answer petty things;
  The unkind word, the bitter cut
  That rankles deep and stings.
  They are too big to notice them,
  They simply pass them by,
  And even with a smile sometimes
  Or twinkle in the eye.
  For they have found that after all
  ‘Twas better in the end
  To meet it with a smile, and then,
  Just let it pass, my friend.

The Hidden Hurts

I think sometimes people do not realize the hurt they cause others. They go on their merry way stepping on people again and again, all the while acting as if they have done nothing at all. - But this could partly be because those who are hurt don't communicate what is going on.

When I'm hurt badly, the last thing on my mind is lashing out at the one who caused it. I retreat instead into my own thoughts and try to reason the feeling out first. I hide behind my platonic, well-rehearsed, everyday face, until I've had the time I need to understand why I feel awful inside. Only when I'm sure I know what is going on, do I step out to "right the wrong". By then, I guess, it's too late.

A very wise friend of mine has given me some sound advice and insight into the mental workings of those who I feel have wronged me. I'd like to share it with you. 

She says: "Sometimes we as humans can be quite selfish. Sometimes we can only see what is right in front of us, and this causes us to put our immediate interests before others, even before what is right."

My friend's advice has made me check my own actions to see if I have been guilty of hurting others unknowingly, because of their feigned indifference. But the hidden hurts are just as bad as the ones on display, if not worse. They will eat you from the inside out, and bear the fruits of resentment, distrust and fear. I am hurting, but now I understand how I inflict hurt as well. This pain I feel right now urges me to pray that I will be smarter the next time I cross another's heart...

The Manifesto

The New Year

Looking back on this last year

On the threshold of another to begin

I’m mulling over what brought me joy
As a new life starts and the old one ends

I think of those who really count

Family, loved ones, friends

Recalling all those times we shared

And how my life’s been deepened

We’ve laughed and cried; we’ve whined and sighed

I don’t regret a thing

We’ve dreamt some dreams, and let some go

To some we’ve given wings

Last year was brutal, taxing, tough

We made it through somehow

I learned a lot, of strength and love

But I’m glad it’s over now

Another year, another chance
To start our lives anew
To build our purpose from bottom up
To have the faith to see it through

We’ll take one step, and then some more
Towards what happiness means
And if I fall, you’ll raise me up

To more than I could ever be

We’ll shine in what we do just best

Great potential to explore

While we inspire, and climb the higher

To reach that we only whispered of before

And at the end of this new year

I pray that, though we’re older

You’ll still be standing next to me

I’ll still be leaning on your shoulder

Happy New Year!

Count on Me

I love this song! Thanks, Lovee...

At Dawning

by Nelle Richmond Eberhart

When the dawn flames in the sky, I love you;
When the birdlings wake and cry, I love you;
When the swaying blades of corn
Whisper soft at breaking morn,
Love anew to me is born, I love you,
I love you.

Dawn and dew proclaim my dream, I love you;
Chant the birds one thrilling theme, I love you;
All the sounds of morning meet,
Break in yearning at your feet.
Come and answer, come, my sweet,
I love you, I love you.

Lucy's discovery

I found this analogy enlightening, and I thought I should share it with you:

“Aslan,” said Lucy, “you're bigger.”

“That is because you are older, little one,” answered he.

“Not because you are?”

“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”

(Excerpt from 'Prince Caspian' – Chapter 10)

"Truth always endures. Truth conveyed through a sanctified imagination becomes brighter and clearer, leading those who follow 'further up and further in' to God’s glorious presence." 

-- Peter Kreeft, speaking of C.S. Lewis' portrayal of knowing Christ

"People are crying out for God to reveal Himself. The problem with the world, as in Lewis's book, is that people want God revealed on their terms and in accordance with their pre-expectant definitions.

"But, God does not live according to our expectations. It is only when we realize that we must view God on His terms and in accordance with His wishes, that we begin to see the smallest part of who He is. Over time we discover more and more of what we have missed in the time we wasted trying to define God by what we want instead of who He is.

"For it is not a matter of discovering God, but recognizing that He is discovering us and helping us to see ourselves as He intended us to be.

--Michael McLarney, Christian writer and author

So, in summary, the more you find out about Christ, the more you will find that you don't know! God only gets bigger and bigger the better you get to know Him. Awesome, eh?