Daily Thoughts

You know, when you are watching a television program and all of a sudden there come this...station break; or when you are listening to the radio and there comes this...station break...well here we are again at another station break..but this is a break of a different kind.  This station break involves our nation..it involves our people...it involves our Christian brothers and sisters...it involves us. This morning, we were all awaken with tragic news of a young man who had opened up fire in a church in Charleston, SC.  We heard what they said, watched footage that was available at the time...we even looked on the faces of those affected by this crime and we as a people...took a break.  We took a break from our normal activities upon waking up in the morning..instead of rushing downstairs to fix breakfast we were rushing around in the bathroom so that we could see this unfolding news...this tragedy...those affected...and the suspect who was at large. We didn't rush to ...

Wow is all I can say at the moment.  It's not because something has happened or someone has said anything or something was done...it is because of my inner joy.  This joy, that makes me want to get up every morning and praise my God.  This joy, that keeps my mind steady when everything else around me is unsettled.  This joy, that puts a song in my heart and a spring in my step when there is no reason to sing or dance.  This joy, that keeps me calm in the midst of my storm.  This joy, that makes me stand still and know that He is God. This joy, that when I am confronted with mess and ridicule, I can smile and say to myself, "everything is going to be alright."  This joy that soothes me when there is so much to be irritated and frustrated about.  This joy that makes me pray each and every morning to a wonderful and patient and loving God.  This joy, that helps me smile when I should be sad and witness to the goodness and greatness of Jesus....

I remember when my mom taught me to say "yes sir" and "yes ma'am" because it was...the right and polite thing to do.  I remember when I would get spankings for doing the wrong thing because it was...the right thing to do.  I remember when I was made to stay up late at night to get my homework done because I messed around all afternoon because it was...the right thing to do.  I remember when I had to pull my pants up and my skirts down because it was...the right thing to do. I remember when we had company that I had to make my bed and clean my room along with the household chores because it was...the right thing to do.  I remember when I had to be quiet while sitting in church because it was the...right thing to do.  I remember when I could not have any dessert because I would not eat my vegetables because it was...the right thing to do.  I remember when I would play outside all day I had to wash my hands when I came in the house because it was...the right...

My part is to educate my son on police brutality but to make him aware not all officers are evil.  My part is to help him recognize when he is in the right and when he is in the wrong.  My part is to tell him that I am on his side and will fight for him when necessary.  My part is to open his eyes to positive influences around him and to warn him against those that are negative.  My part is to be his parent. My part is to know the difference between when my son is crying out for attention or just wanting a reaction.  My part is to know what is inside of his heart by hearing what is coming out of his head.  My part is to pray daily for my son when I know the world is preying against him.  My part is to be his parent. My part is to exemplify dignity and grace in front of him so that he knows the difference between a lady and a tramp.  My part is to speak positive words to him and about him so that it penatrates his soul when others try...

I love me.  There is no one else in this world like me...and there will never be another me...so I will keep on loving me...because when I am gone...me...will no longer...exist.......

Spring is just around the corner and I am ready for warmer temperatures, spring flowers, green lawns and longer days...aren't you?  I am ready for picnics and parties out on the lawn.  I am even ready for barbeques and pig pickins....I am ready for long walks in the park and meditation by a river or brook..just ready to get outside and let the warm sunshine in.  What does spring hold for you?  Do you involve yourself in spring cleaning...you know getting rid of those outfits you no longer wear and updating your wardrobe?  Or maybe you are one who cleans out the garage and attic so that you can place more things there...maybe you are one who gets rid of old coats and furniture and donates them to Goodwill or the Salvation Army...whatever you do...do it with joy in your heart. Spring is not the time to be down or sad or low...it is the time to get moving..get started..to be motivated to plant that garden or that crop.  It's a time to lift up those windows a...

Winter is here and I believe that most of us in the United States have felt some affect from it.  Whether is has been the frigid temperatures or the horrible snow storms leaving over 6 feet in Boston and other places...we have all felt some affect.  And though winter makes us want to be still and sit down and remain isolated...we don't have to stop.  In other words, don't die in winter. This time of year slows us all down because to be frank, it is too cold to want to do anything but I found out that when we are still..when we are focused and not running here and there...when we are able to listen to our loved ones and think..we have the capacity to be more creative...so why not?  Why not start that project you have been talking about all year...why not put together ideas for that business you have wanted to start...why not get together with friends in the warmth of someone's home and brainstorm so that when the weather warms up...you are fresh and ready to tackle ...