The top three things I’m especially grateful for this past week:
1. My sweet nephew, a man of God, integrity and a heart patient miracle, sailing through a serious brain surgery, sense of humor intact. He’s my inspiration.
2. Finishing the final revision of my novel, The Inheritance. OMGoodness! I’m not sure if I’m thrilled, scared to death, or relieved. 🙂
3. Going on a long bike ride on a gorgeous, sunny, warm day with my husband, keeping my thoughts on prayer and gratitude as I cruised along the wooded trail.
May gratitude be contagious to others as you share what you’re grateful for this week. 🙂
My heart was beyond heavy when I heard of Maya Angelou’s passing today. When I think of all she has accomplished in her young 86 years of age, I stand in awe. What an admirable poet, author, activist, and woman.
In her honor, here are ten of my favorite quotes by her:
10. “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
9. “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”
8. “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
7. “My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry, to get my work done, and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.”
6. “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”
5. “You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot – it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that, I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.”
4. “One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind true, merciful, generous, or honest.”
3. “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
2. “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
1. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
When someone cuts me off in traffic I can allow a flash of anger to take root and explode into road rage or give the culprit the benefit of the doubt. Maybe s/he didn’t see me, especially if I was in that darn blind spot. Or maybe s/he had an emergency of some sort that it’s of utmost importance that s/he get there quickly.
When I smile at someone and they scowl in return, I can allow it to change my attitude and feel resentment or I can, again, give her/him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe s/he was so burdened by something heavy that s/he didn’t notice the smile from a stranger. Maybe her/his world doesn’t revolve around the smile from this woman. Really? Someone’s world not revolving around me? 🙂 And how many times have I been in that situation where the roles were reversed.
When someone says something unflattering about me in the office, do I get spiteful and begin to form that nasty grudge, or do I brave to look inward. Were my behavior or words harsh and unloving? Did I act in an ungodly manner? If yes, then I need to take responsibility for my poor judgment and make amends. If not, then there’s nothing I can do except be sure and act in a loving, godly manner, lifting that person up in prayer.
Attitude in adversity, or when our back is against the wall, reveals our true character. Impossible to shine in tarnished situations? No. Difficult? Yes! But with practice comes improvement. Today, I will practice that my character reflect Christ’s light within me.
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