“There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Albert EinsteinI’ve heard it said, “The best way to enjoy Disneyland is to take a child and watch them experience it for the first time.” There is something about seeing the wonder in the eyes of a child. I've experienced a child’s wonder; it was infectious. We weren’t in Disneyland, but we might as well have been. I had accompanied Kerr, a three-year-old boy, and his mother to the zoo. Kerr had learned how to make the sounds of all these animals. Some that decorated his bed, as stuffed versions, were now walking before his eyes.
Are you only focusing on the problems and to-do lists of today? Or, do you make time to appreciate the miracles around you? How can you incorporate a bit of wonder in your life today? Lord, I'm so grateful You make it possible for me to experience wonders at my age; what a joy to be able to put aside cynical perspectives and see the world in all its marvels. Amen “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4 What are your thoughts? Libby
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“Don’t speak unless you can improve upon the silence.” Quaker Proverb
I’m learning—very slowly—that when I get a thought based on what someone else is saying, it’s frequently because I’ve experienced something similar. But it isn’t necessary to share my experience when a nod of recognition will do. I likely still speak too much (ask my sisters), but I believe I’m talking less than I used to. Do you hear others talk and you think of a time a similar event occurred in your life? Are you tempted to interrupt their story with your been-there-done-that experience? What can you do today to add focus and listen, thereby demonstrating to your friends your interest in them? Lord, thank You for helping me hold my tongue; I could not have done it on my own. It’s so much nicer to show my friends that I really do value them and what they have to say. Amen “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” Proverbs 21:23 What are your thoughts? Libby
“I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains, and I believe I’ll see you do it again. You made a way where there was no way, and I believe I’ll see you do it again.” from the song Do It Again by Elevation Worship“I’m expected to report to my new position on Tuesday,” I said. “Why Tuesday?” my friend asked. “The job requisition won't be signed until Monday. But now I don’t have a peace about this new job. What can I do?” “What do I do?” I asked my friend. She offered prayer and comfort but no answers. But Monday morning a company-wide announcement changed everything. There was a freeze on hiring, no requisitions would be signed, and no one was allowed to transfer. At that moment I was overjoyed to see God's hand at work. But the next day I was in tears fearing for my job when a division executive approached me and said they would create a position for me.
Later I declared with some surprise, God is bigger than a worldwide company’s CEO. But I had to laugh at the simplicity of my own words. Of course He can! He can move mountains if it's His will. Do you have trouble trusting that God can do the miraculous? Are you anxious that His will for you will not match the image you have of your future? What step will you take today to place your faith and trust in God’s wisdom and power? Lord, in hindsight it’s easier to see Your wisdom and recognize Your miracles; help me put my trust in Your wisdom and power when I can’t see the future. Amen “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 What are your thoughts? Libby
“Very often the only way to get a quality in reality is to start behaving as if you had it already. That’s why children’s games are so important. They are always pretending to be grown-ups…” C.S. Lewis
Talking with another learner from the same course I discovered she had been more task-oriented when she took the class years earlier and now her results showed that she was more people-oriented. She gave me the idea of acting-as-if I was more personable. I began with emails.
Are you eager to develop a particular character quality? Is there a job skill you want to acquire? What will you do today that will help you act-as-if until you reach your goal? Lord, thank You for the grace to change such an ingrained habit, and for the coaches that helped me. Amen “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22
“Que sera' sera', whatever will be will be, the future’s not ours to see, que sera' sera'.” Ray Evans, songwriter for the music composed by his partner Jay LivingstonI think my husband is tired of hearing me talk about our future trip to Europe; a week-long river cruise followed by another week in Europe and a week in the British Isles. He’s talked about going, and I don’t want to be too old to walk the miles needed to see all the places we want to visit. Is it wrong to plan a trip? So many people say, you have to set a date and plan to go or it will just be a dream and you’ll never actually go. I’d like to think my planning is really about being prepared, knowing all the things we want to do and see. On my last trip to Europe I remember the planning was half the fun. Another thing I remember from that trip was, we grew tired of spending just one or two days in each location, packing and moving to a new Bed & Breakfast every other night felt like we were spending more time traveling than sightseeing. So we made a decision at one point to skip Bath and spend an extra two days in Stratford Upon Avon.
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself.” Matthew 6:34a What are your thoughts? Libby
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WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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July 2019
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