"Simple Miracles"

I have a good friend who works as a cashier in a store. One day she was calmly ringing up a large order for a particular family when a lady behind them in line became impatient. She began complaining, and decided to tell my friend to hurry up. My friend calmly replied that she was going as quickly as she could, but the lady would not let up. She kept saying how she could do what my friend was doing much faster, and although my friend was herself becoming irritated by this rude woman, she kept her cool and dealt with the lady with every courtesy.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

I saw a little girl in the store the other day. She was sitting quietly in the seat of the shopping cart while her family shopped around her. But she had this sad look on her face, and as I pushed my own cart by the family, I naturally smiled at her. At first she wasn't sure what to make of me, a stranger and all, but then she decided to smile back. It was just a quick one, but there it was. I saw her two more times after that, and each time the smile came quicker and quicker.

When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them. Job 29:24

The lady in the store was in a hurry; she, like so many of us can be, was only centered on her time. As a result, she became angry, placing unnecessary blame on the most likely target. But does anger get us anywhere? Not really. Most of the time it seems to just make matters worse. My friend could have also lost her cool and retaliated, which would have in turn caused everyone else in line to become angry, with two women fighting and the line not moving at all.

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:13

We always associate Christmas as a time to be happy, or jolly. But contrary to what we might think, many people have little reason to feel such emotions during this time of year. Many do not have families to visit, or money to buy gifts. Many do not have a home to live in, or must simply focus on trying to survive alone on the cold wintry nights. So it is very important that we remember those who are homeless, those recently affected by the terrible flooding across the nation, those who lost someone dear to them, etc. These scenarios and others like them, paint a depressing picture—and it certainly makes those of us blessed enough to have such things look pretty good. We should be thankful for that, but also humble enough to know we might not have those things at any time. We should feel humble enough to not forget everyone else in only focusing on ourselves; we should instead be humbly helping our neighbors and friends, and sharing the love that God has given us.

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'". Matthew 22:37-39

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Psalm 9:18

So I would encourage all of us this holiday season to keep our attitudes in check. Try not to get caught up in the fancy-follies of the festival. Remember those who are less fortunate than you, and do your best to brighten their day rather than your own. 'Things' do not make you better off than someone else or make you happy. A person can have everything and still be miserable, just as someone with nothing could be the happiest in the world.

In any case, you never realize what an impact a simple smile or a little hello to someone can have. A kind word or even a hug might have calmed down the lady in the store. A smile obviously brightened the day of the little girl in the shopping cart. These may be simple miracles, but in the face of adversity, these simple miracles are what keep us going, or what gets us back on our feet. Feeling the love from someone helps us to remember there is light amidst all the darkness.

We can't wave our hands over the devastation of the flood victims and make everything the way it was again. We can't bring back someone's lost loved one. But we can show them how much we care; even if it is as simple as a hug. As Jesus was born as a child for the lowest of men to the highest of kings, so is everything we do important as everything else. No matter a person's situation, attitude can often make or break it. Jesus was born to remind us of those simple miracles we take for granted everyday; those same miracles that could change someone's life forever. And who knows? What love you share with someone else just might change your own life.

John answered, "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same." Luke 3:11

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. John 15: 16-17

I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. Acts 20: 23-24

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12

Jesus was born to give us hope; we were created to share that hope with others.*

A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Realizing the amazing-ness of the simple miracles,

Whitney

"Reaching For the Unreachable"

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

One thing I have reflected upon lately, is the art of striving. Now, we all know that perfection will never be acquired by that of a human being. Only God is perfect. So why then would we work hard to become a better person? Why would we work to reach perfection, even when we know we will never reach it?

Let's look at a relatable example in an attempt to answer such a provacative question.

My mother loves to decorate (and she's extremely good at it!). She is constantly restoring furniture, painting walls, or finding little knicknacks in order to spruce up her home. Her home mind you was fine before such additions; did her house really need that restored footstool or that new bed coverlet she put together herself? Not really (although she would argue otherwise naturally =D). But that of course, isn't the point.

My mother does these things because she loves to. She strives to make her house more presentable because she likes how it looks that way, she has loads of fun doing it, and others also enjoy the benefits of her hard labor. Will she ever get it so perfect that she could honestly stop trying to make it better? No, because her perspective and attitude, the way of the world, and the things she finds to add to her home are constantly changing. And she has chosen to grow along with them. This reflects who she is as a person.

She has a self-rewarding experience at the completion of her projects--she herself is stronger, more confident, happy, (and no doubt many other emotions). When she strives to work hard at these projects of hers, she completes them to the best of her ability. Could she do more to them? No doubt, but for now at least, she can feel content, and satisfied at such striding lengths.

We all have our types of projects. We all strive to be better at something. But why do we do them? Is there a physical reward at the end if we finish? Sometimes. Though usually it is a self-reward, (an emotion), such as feeling proud you did your best to accomplish whatever it was.

So then, what about striving to be perfect in our spiritual lives? Just like with my mother's home, things are constantly changing in our lives. We can either accept that change, and grow with it, or attempt not to. (Bear in mind there is bad change as well as good change, and change that's well, neutral. Whatever change it is though, also realize it could be changed!) =)

Consider a constantly growing tree, or a stagnant swamp...Now look at the Church of the Laodiceans who were "lukewarm"; neither cold nor hot. We all have a choice in this life, and I pray that we choose wisely.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:15-20

God encourages us to grow, for He wants us to know truth and to be holy men and women of God. In fact,

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:1-9

God also encourages us to strive because He loves us, and hopes that we love Him in return. When you are in love with someone, you pursue them with everything you have in order to win them over right? God is wooing you in a way. He loves you even when you mess up, and as we saw in the previous daily bread, He is always there for you even when the going gets tough. He is offering us so much: love, truth, hope, comfort, encouragement... How could we not strive to know more of a God full of those things we long for everyday?

Wouldn't it be better then to stand before God and admit from your heart saying, "Yes God, I messed up a lot, but I strove to do the best that I could with every aspect of my life to glorify you".

So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. Acts 24:16

Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will glorify the Son in Himself, and will glorify Him at once". John 13:31-32

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:5-7

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:15-16

So wherever you are in your life, know this. You already have a beautiful purpose, and that is to put forth your best effort at whatever you do in order to glorify our Father in Heaven. God loves you. And the more you strive with Him, the more beautiful you feel on the inside.*

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Matthew 23:38

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Striving to grow in all aspects of my life,

Whitney