And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18
One of my Dear Friends, Betty Eichenseer, shared this story……….this really spoke to me in such great love….it has been a tough year for all of us…I have lost 4 of my best friends….among other sorrows….just like Grandpa Caraway told me, the older you get many friends will pass away’….Grandpa lived to me 94 outliving many of his friends, it left him lonely ….This year has been a very sad year for many…. I’ve had tough funerals to officiate over….some people have had very tough family situations that I’ve tried to help with….I cannot visit and pray with folks in the hospitals and nursing homes….I try my best everyday…. I cling to Jesus every second of the day. It pains me greatly that many don’t have Jesus in their hearts.
A little something to ponder…
I asked one of my friends who has crossed 70 & is heading to 80 what sort of changes he is feeling in himself?
He sent me the following very interesting lines, which I would like to share with you ….
#1 After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children, my friends, now I have started loving myself.
#2 I just realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.
#3 I now stopped bargaining with vegetables & fruits vendors. A few pennies more is not going to burn a hole in my pocket but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.
#4 I pay my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than me
#5 I stopped telling the elderly that they’ve already narrated that story many times. The story makes them walk down the memory lane & relive the past.
#6 I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.
#7 I give compliments freely & generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say “Thank You”
#8 I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.
#9 I walk away from people who don’t value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.
#10 I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.
#11 I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.
#12 I have learned that it’s better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships I will never be alone.
#13 I have learned to live each day as if it’s the last. After all, it might be the last.
#14 I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!
I decided to send this to all my friends. Why do we have to wait to be 70 or 80, why can’t we practice this at any stage and age….
