“The future will be made up of todays and todays, stretching out as short as now and as long as eternity.” Anonymous
What I didn’t say was, yesterday I had a great time. What I thought would take two or three hours actually took over six hours. But there’s something about helping other people that turns a busted agenda into a blessed day. Today I’ll get done what’s most important. When unexpected events take my agenda on a detour – like the task I thought would take 40 minute but took over 2 hours – I’ve discovered that it’s more likely God had something else in mind for me today.
Lord, it’s been years that I’ve said, “I desire to do Your will,” but only recently I’ve learned to take the detour and let go of my agenda and I thank You for the blessings. Amen
“We know that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God, for those who are call according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 What are your thoughts? Libby
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“All music jars when the soul’s out of tune.” Miguel de CervantesI don’t remember what upset me. Had someone said something to me, or had I said something to someone else and was under conviction to apologize? Maybe someone (even me) had not measured up to my expectations. Was I running late for an appointment, or was it merely the evening’s traffic?
In those days it wasn’t second nature to turn my thought to God for comfort. Even today, I’m sorry to say, it’s still too often a last resort. Yet, it always works. It always calms, putting my problems into perspective. As my sister used to say, “In light of all eternity, how important it is?” Do you get distracted when your problems are weighing you down? Can music sometimes be annoying? What can you do to calm the problems you are facing today? Lord, when I strive to find some earthly means to quiet my mind, remind me again that You are the true source of peace and serenity. Amen “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. Or, as the New American Standard version translates Psalm 46:10, “Cease striving and know that I am God.”
“Don’t ever mistake my silence for ignorance, my calmness for acceptance, and my kindness for weakness.” Unknown
I began practicing listening – not talking – when I went to dinner with friends, when I sat in conference rooms waiting for meetings to begin, at the dinner table on holidays. What I didn’t realize until then was, listening was not just speaking less it was an opportunity to really focus on what others were saying. This was one of the harder lessons of my life, and I’m still learning. But listening for what people mean, as well as what they say, has also helped me ask better questions. As I began to consult, practicing silence helped me offer better suggestions because I had a better understanding of the whole situation.
“Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding.” Proverbs 2:2 “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” Proverbs 18:13
What are your thoughts? Libby “When the woes of existence beset us, we urgently seek comic relief. The more emotions we invest in a subject, the greater its potential for guffaws.” Patch Adams, MDToday is my birthday and I’m stuck at home taking a 24-hour test at my doctor’s request. I don’t feel bad enough to be convinced it’s necessary, but she wants to rule out possible bad stuff. So here I sit, all day, at home, by myself, on my birthday. I picked up a book that got me laughing – which is where I got today’s quote – and it perked me up. Here are some others I found:
I still have to take this day-long test, but I'm not feeling grouchy any more. Is there something you’re dreading? Are you not well, or just feeling blue? What can you do, watch, listen to, read, or who can you call, that will make you laugh today?
Note: Hunter Doherty “Patch” Adams (1945- ), an American physician, comedian, social activist, clown and author who founded the Gesundheit! Institute, a free community hospital from 1971-1984. Each year he organizes volunteers to travel to various countries where they bring humor to orphans and patients; while in Illinois he collaborates with the Institute to promote alternative health care model. Robin Williams portrayed Adams in the movie Patch Adams in 1998.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.“Why do people get so upset when I offer suggestions?” my mother asked. “Because your suggestions are ‘street smart’ gleaned from years of living. When someone has seventeen letters after their name, they rely on their education and years of experience, and rightly so.” When my mother feels like she’s being shunned or intentionally ignored, it’s more likely because she’s viewing the response from a dark perspective because her help is not readily accepted. She’s from that generation where the parent-child relationship is all they know. They have no role models for adult-adult relationships with their kids, neighbors, co-workers or even strangers, that happen to be younger than them.
The other day I heard someone say, “bless them, change me,” as a sort of prayer. I now have a mantra that takes me to the mindset of choosing to see comments in the light rather than in the darkness, in love rather than hate. This is helping me not respond in darkness or hate, but to see the light and respond in love. Do you have people in your life that ‘rub you the wrong way’ with their comments? Do those comments make you want to respond with words you'll later regret? What can you say that will remind you to shift your perspective from darkness to light and respond in kindness? Lord, save me from myself; my thinking that every comment is about me. Help me see through Your eyes and see light and love. Amen “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 What are your thoughts? Libby
Note: Maya Angelou (1928-2014), an American poet, author, screenwriter, actor, singer, dancer and civil rights activist. She is best known for her first in a series of seven autobiographies, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and is attributed to be “the black woman's poet laureate.”
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” C.S. Lewis I once heard someone say, “I’m a loaner. I used to think I was terminally unique, that no one could understand me…” My response was the typical bobble-head-nod signifying I could relate to feeling ‘terminally unique.’ When I was young, I thought no one could relate to the struggles, challenges and fears I faced. But then I met someone and by accident I let one comment slip. She echoed her struggle in that area and we instantly became friends. Others can be compassionate or even helpful, but there’s something about that person who can understand, the one who can relate. That was 35 years ago. Yesterday, I had lunch with my friend. Even though we haven’t seen each other for months, it was as if no time had passed. Friendship. When I’m in a group of people that share a common interest (e.g., writer’s group, ministry, book club), there’s usually one or two people that I have more in common with – quilter, raised in the same city, fans of a particular sports team, author, or hobby. We might sit together, talk in the parking lot, or go for coffee apart from others in the group. Friendship goes beyond acquaintance or even team dynamics. Friendship is personal and deliberate. C.S. Lewis also made the point that we can’t avoid acquaintances in life, but some people might live a lifetime without ever experiencing genuine friendship. Do you have friends who hang with you even when you’re separated by miles? If not, could it be an aversion to sharing your personal life with someone? What will you do today to foster a deeper relationship with an acquaintance or colleague or neighbor or relative or…? Lord, thank you for that special connection that happens in our soul which makes possible a close friendship with one or two people out of a group of acquaintances. Amen “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
What are your thoughts? Libby Note: C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), British novelist, poet, academic, literary critic, lay theologian, lecturer and Christian apologist. He held academic positions at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities (1925-63). Although most all of his published works (in four genres) are still in print, he is best known for The Screwtape Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Space Trilogy, Mere Christianity, Miracles, and The Problem of Pain. “There is a courtesy of the heart. It is akin to love. Out of it arises the purest courtesy in the outward behavior.” Johann Wolfgang von GoetheDakota. An interesting name. It reminds me of Joe Montana who shares a name with a state. I was looking at the prayer cards for the children in our church when I saw this solo name on a card.
I may not know Dakota well enough to say that I love her by any of the common definitions of love. Yet, as C.S. Lewis teaches in his book The Four Loves, storge is a Greek word for love that is translated: affection. Storge is the word for the affection of those around us, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, and those in groups we belong to but may not know personally. Storge bridges age boundaries, social standing, economic status, likes or dislikes, and even our views on politics and religion. Funny thing…I care about Dakota even though I hardly know her, because I can relate to her situation. According to Lewis, storge (affection) is the closest to the way God loves us; which in Greek is call agape: unconditional love.
Note: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), a German poet, novelist, playwright, and philosopher; his second novel, Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship, was considered the fourth best novel ever written by German philosopher Schopenhauer. Ralph Waldo Emerson selected Goethe for his book Representative Men about the six most influential men in history to date...others were Plato, Napoleon, Shakespeare.
Note: C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), British novelist, poet, academic, literary critic, lay theologian, lecturer and Christian apologist. He held academic positions at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities (1925-63). Although most all of his published works (in four genres) are still in print, he is best known for The Screwtape Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Space Trilogy, Mere Christianity, Miracles, and The Problem of Pain. “That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet.” Emily DickinsonIt's almost dusk on the last night of the fair. The livestock were silenced when their dinner arrived. A while later, lights flickered on and rides colored the sky with neon rainbows. In the distance bands were playing hits from the 70’s and 80’s. A slight breeze cooled the evening carrying with it the scent of corn dogs, funnel cakes, nachos, and cinnamon buns. Little girls were practicing cart-wheels and younger children chased balloons. Their parents sitting in the food court visiting. Teens walked hand-in-hand making their own memories, while older folks enjoyed rock-n-roll songs of their youth. I had a brief de'ja'-vous. Where had I experienced this moment before? It came and went so quickly. But rather than give it even a minute of attention, I returned to the present and drank in the evening, taking a deep breath and savoring the moment.
My memories are a joy and a comfort; they recall some of the best times of my life. But still I have to focus myself on the present, to make a new memory. I have to choose, to put away the cares of yesterday and concerns of tomorrow...to see, smell, feel, hear, and experience this moment to the fullest. I don't want to miss today.
Are you taking advantage of the simple pleasures each day brings? Are you even looking for them? What one change can you make right now to add gratitude to your day, today? Lord, thank you for the simple pleasures in life. Amen “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (1830-1896), an American poet, gardener and accomplished baker. Few of her 1800 poems were submitted for publication in her lifetime due to the extensive editing publishers insisted on for conformity to the accepted style of the day. Not until 1955, when Thomas H. Johnson published a collection of her work as The Poems of Emily Dickinson, were her poems available in unedited form. “Your value will not be what you know, it will be what you share.” Virginia RomettySaturday I spoke with a former nurse who didn’t think her nursing experience was still part of her skill set since she had spent the last seven years on the mission field. Yet, when we finished talking she had added to her list of skills: ‘calm in a crisis,’ ‘good judgment,’ ‘able to make quick decisions,’ ‘resourceful,’ ‘leads by example,’ and ‘experienced at coaching trainees.’ When we parted, she was pleased. But I was thrilled that I could make a contribution to boost her confidence just prior to her interview. My home life as a girl did not offer much encouragement. No one challenged me to set goals, go to college, or to dream. My grandmother had the gift of encouragement, but she lived too far away to have much of an impact on me when young. I admired my grandmother’s gift so much that for years I’ve prayed that I might also gain the gift of encouragement. I think the result of this is, now I have a passion to encourage young people; to let them know that they have endless potential. I want to see them dream and strive and achieve and accomplish. So, in a way, I am reaching my goal by helping others reach theirs. Did you have someone who encouraged you when you were young? Do you think you need the gift of encouragement in order to encourage? Who is in your life today that you can encourage? Lord, thank You for showing me the blessing that comes from speaking Your encouragement into the lives of others. Amen “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another,” I Thessalonians 5:11; “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…encouraging one another” Hebrews 10:24-25 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Virginia Rometty (1957- ), an American business woman, the oldest of four children from a broken home where her mother worked multiple jobs to support the family. She attended college on scholarship and went to work in the Detroit auto industry. Today she is the chair, president, and CEO of IBM.
Maya Angelou (1928-2014), an American poet, singer, civil rights activist, speaker, dancer, journalist, actor, writer, director and producer of plays, movies and public television. Angelou was the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University and worked with both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. She made around 80 appearances a year on the lecture circuit, which she continued into her eighties. “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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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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