The words on the top of the notepad read: "Leave a trail of genius."
Merriam-Webster defines "genius" as exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability. If I carve the trail, will others follow? Will my wisdom be a guiding light? Or am I merely leaving crumbs for others to clean up? OMG! The butterfly landed on my hand in the backyard. How cool is that!! I could feel it tickling the back of my hand. And, then, in the blink of an eye, it was gone.
Do you have a moment when God was so close to you, you could touch him and feel His tickling deep in your soul? O God, come close to me. Enable the Holy Spirit to come alive in my soul. Amen. "He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." - Matthew 3:12
Some call them weeds; others call them flowers. God says He will come and separate the wheat from the chaff. What if I'm "having a bad day" when He comes? What side will I be on? Everlasting God, may You always see favor in me. Amen. How many times have I yelled out, "What's wrong with me?". As my outer self withers, fades and becomes disfiguring, my inner self begins to share this same ugliness.
Where is my hope? Where is my love? Where is my nourishment? In you, Dear Lord, I find my Hope and my Love. Leave me not, O Lord, for my soul rests in You. Amen. "The Lord said to her in reply, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.' " - Luke 10:41-42 The squirrel was positioned on the tree. Couldn't decide whether to pounce and attack, or to quietly shimmy down and go some place else. These are decisions we often face. Do you attack and criticize? Or do you keep to yourself and walk away? The squirrel made the better choice. It came down without a fuss and scampered away. What choice would you make? "Blessed are the poor in spirit ... Blessed are they who mourn ... Blessed are the meek ... Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness ... Blessed are the merciful ... Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven." - Matthew 5:3-12
I heard an interview with a player reflecting on being named to play in the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. "Blessed," he stated. "I am blessed." He must have used the word "blessed" to describe his feelings at least a dozen times in the short interview. We are all "blessed" in one way or another. We live in a democratic society; we own homes and cars; we have employment and schooling options; we have access to good health. We can practice our religion freely; we are forgiven of our sins and transgressions; we have a Savior that died for us; we have a relationship with a God that loves us. We ARE "blessed." How many times do you acknowledge it? Loving Father, I am Blessed. I am truly Blessed. Thank you. Amen. Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash "The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the just." - Proverbs 13:22
It's enjoyable to look back at days gone by. We're fascinated by watching old movies, listening to golden oldies, reading timeless novels, or hearing a wise man's story. How will you be known by the next generation? What legacy are you leaving? What will people say about who you are, what you did, what faith you shared? Dear God, like the classics from long ago, let my life unfold as its own unique classic in your kingdom. Amen. I am a voice, crying for mercy. I am a voice, crying for mercy. Crying for love, crying for peace, crying for justice and dying in need. I am a voice, crying for mercy.
The lyrics to this song, I Am A Voice (crying for mercy), were inspired by a devotion to the Divine Mercy. The song was written by Trish Short as the result of the simple cry of a nun from Kenya to this Catholic songwriter to "write a song for the poor and suffering." Perhaps you can use this reflection to examine your own conscience during this Lenten journey. I am a child, starving with nothing to eat. Walk twenty miles, searching for something to drink. What do I do when I see the pictures of the malnourished children, or the refugees without food? I'm a prisoner in a cell, here it looks a lot like hell. Isn't anyone listening? Does anyone care? Who will answer me? Do I listen? Do I care? Do I answer? A husband, a wife, leaving without making their peace. When out of the sky, hate stole his life like a thief. Do I make peace with everyone I meet? In the heart of every man, will the price of freedom stand? In living to love and dying to give, who will lend a hand? Will I? Click here to listen to the song. Lyrics copyright 2002; Photo by Schalk van Zuydam (AP) "As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.' " - Luke 9:57
Many years ago when I was learning to drive, my dad went with me for a ride through the park. Along the route, he pointed out some nice houses on the right side of the road. I don't remember what happened next, but there was a ditch, and it wasn't pretty! I do, however, remember the lesson learned that day: the steering wheel goes where the eyes lead. So where are your eyes leading you? What are you steering toward? What corrections do you need to make in order to stay on course? Holy Spirit, lead me along clear paths and do not let me stray from the plan. Amen. "I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need." - Philippians 4:12
I saw an article boasting about the improvements in customer satisfaction at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. According to the survey of medium-sized airports in North America, our airport showed an improvement. I couldn't wait to get to the end of the article to see the results. Finally, I saw it. They improved to "third from the bottom". Oh. Well, I thought, maybe there were only four airports in the study! Such optimism. Such pride. Seeing life as half-full instead of half-empty. What's your view? How do you see life? What's your ranking? PHOTO: 2014 by Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer. |
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