Inherent Gift
Today I would like to say a special word of thanks to those of you who have supported the Dial Hope Foundation with a financial donation. Your gifts make this ministry possible!
George W. Mallone tells the story about a time when the youngest son in a family was asked to say the blessing over breakfast one morning. With his head bowed and his eyes tightly shut, he prayed in a clear, loud voice: “We thank Thee, God, for this beautiful day and for our food. Amen.”
Everyone at the table glared at him. The day was not beautiful. It was a miserable day, cold, damp, and dark. His father said sternly, “You must never pray insincerely like that.” An older brother muttered, “What a jerk! Trying to be smart.” And his mother asked, “What do you mean, ‘A beautiful day!”?”
As the child reached for the strawberry jam, he simply said, “You can’t judge a day by its weather.”
It’s true, isn’t it! There are a lot of things in life that we can do nothing about. We can’t change the weather. We can’t control what other people do, or what they think about us. But we can choose how we will respond, how we will move forward, and how we will live – with life as it is.
I heard a friend say one time that he tries to wake up every morning and make a conscious choice. He begins each day with this prayer: Today I am going to find and celebrate the good in this day that you have given me, Lord. It is a gift. And, I am going to find and celebrate the good in every person I meet. They are a gift!
I imagine some days it is still not easy to live this out. However, with this prayer as the foundation of each day, I have to believe he sees much beauty and experiences much grace.
Let us pray: Loving God, we thank you for the beauty of life itself; for the majesty of your creation, for people who love us and challenge us, for the gifts of music and art, and for the depths of your love expressed in the coming of Christ. Give us open eyes and hearts to receive these and all your good gifts. Help us to cherish them and to celebrate them. I entrust each person listening today to your care. Amen.
Daily Message Author: Joe Albright
Joe began his ministry in Sarasota, Florida as an associate pastor, and it was in this capacity that he worked alongside the Reverend Dr. Roger Kunkel. Roger was a colleague who became a mentor and treasured friend. From Sarasota, Joe was called to Jacksonville, Florida where he served as the Head of Staff at Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church. Currently, Joe and his family worship and serve at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Switzerland, Florida. Full Bio
