It's a Wonderful Life

Life happens to everyone. God is no respecter of persons and we all understand that He allows the rain to fall on the just and unjust. There is not one of us whose life is free from cares, worries and struggles.

How many times have we looked at the lives of others and wanted to trade places. I wish I was as happy as Linda or as affluent as Bob. Linda and Bob have their own cares and worries, we just don't see them on the surface. It was Henry David Thoreau who said, "the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."

I grew up in a house with a lot of boys and a lot turmoil. If there are special rewards in heaven, my mother will be at the top of the list. She not only provided support, encouragement and a loving environment, she left me with memories to last my lifetime as well. As the holidays approach, those are the memories I cling to and those are the memories I want to create for my own children. My memories include watching the Thanksgiving Day Parades, laughing together at Christmas movies and fighting over the chocolate spritz cookies.

Yes, sometimes life deals to us from the bottom of the deck and the sun doesn't come out and shine, but it truly is a wonderful life - if you choose to make it so!!!

AMATEURS

I need to thank my good friend Dale Jenkins for inspiring this post. In a sermon Sunday morning he made reference to an amateur as a person who does something for pleasure rather than profit. While that may no longer be true of the Olympic athlete - it is true of a lot of people in this world. This post is a celebration of those who still play for the love of the game. Those who grab life with all its joys and sorrows and make the world a better place. These are my heroes.

There was the elder who always came by and patted me on the back and told me what a good job I was doing. He always seemed to know when I was feeling down.

There is the husband and wife who used to take me lunch during the darkest days of my life, just to be friends and support me.

There are the ladies who never get public recognition for visiting the sick, carrying meals to the hungry, or sending a card to the bereaved.

There is invisible multitude who daily encourage their children, serve our master on foriegn soil, bear the burdens of brethren, pray for the weak, and engage in limitless good works.

In the past I have heard people say, "Oh, he is just an amateur." We need more amateurs in the kingdom. Today I surrender my professional license! I am looking forward to joining the multitudes who do God's will for the pure joy of service.