Day 277, October 14

"The universe pays every man in his own coin; if you smile, it smiles on you in return; if you frown, you will be frowned at; if you sing, you will be invited into cheerful company; if you think, you will be entertained by thinkers; if you love the world, and earnestly look for the good therein, you will be surrounded by loving friends, and nature will pour into your lap the treasures of the earth."  Mike Lea

This quote reminds me of the law of the harvest:  we reap what we sow.  Sometimes that reaping is immediately apparent, as in the above.  A smile reaps another smile; a frown reaps a frown in return.  And so on.

Sometimes what we reap does not make itself known until years later.  Such is the case with my writing.  I have spent more than three decades practicing my craft.  The rewards, at least financially, have been minimal.  But I kept "sowing," knowing that I would not reap anything without putting in the work. Lately, I've experienced some success and rejoice in it.

Of far more importance is my relationship with others, including the Lord.  Sowing seeds of love and friendship and loyalty has reaped blessings without number. My life would be poor indeed without these precious connections, with family, friends, and the Lord.

Joy for today:  sowing, reaping, and loving.

Day 276, October 13

"Education should prepare people not just to earn a living but to live a life--a creative, humane and sensitive life."--Charles Silberman

Decades (or eons) ago, I graduated from college with a degree in sociology, with a minor in psychology.  Three days later, I was married.  Our first baby came along ten months after Larry's and my marriage.  We decided that I was needed at home more than I would ever be needed at the workplace.

What does this little recap have to do with the above quote?  It's easy.  I never earned a living with my degree.  And some wondered why I didn't, if I had wasted my education.  I like to think that the learning I did in college and beyond prepared me to "live a life."

Am I always creative, humane and sensitive?  No.  But I try to be upon occasion. I try to find ways to create, to give, to understand.  This blog is one of those ways.

Joy for today:  using what I learned.

Day 275, October 12

A friend sent the following to me:

Powerful Prayers for Troubled Times by Stormie Omartian.

Columbus wrote in a book called Book of Prophecies that he could not have reached the shores of America without prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In his own words he stated, "It was the Lord who put it into my mind ... I could feel His hand upon me ... the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies ... All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me ... There is no doubt that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit... No one should fear to undertake a task in the name of our Savior if it is just and the intention is purely for His service."

Isn't that inspiring?  To know that the Lord Himself compelled Columbus to search out America, a promised and blessed land?  

Joy for today:  recognizing the Lord's hand ... in everything.

Day 274, October 11

Did you know that you are entitled to personal revelation?  Yes, you and I are entitled to receive revelation from the Lord.  This is not just a tender mercy; it is a miracle.  If we accept it.

When I understood this, I had an "ah-ha" moment.  That I--unworthy and too often unrighteous--was entitled to revelation was both humbling and empowering.  If I pray and listen, I can receive counsel from the Lord about my life, my family, my stewardship here on earth.

Joy for today:  accepting the miracle.

Day 273, October 10

"I brake for butterflies."

I found this on a bumper sticker.  (Have you noticed that I read everything--from books to bumper stickers to slogans on little girl T-shirts?)

Maybe we should all brake for butterflies.  This is a new take on "stop and smell the roses."  If we took time to better appreciate the beauties of this world, the wonders and miracles of it, the butterflies and roses, we would undoubtedly be happier.  And maybe, just maybe, the world would not be so filled with conflict.

Joy for today:  braking for butterflies.

Day 272, October 9

"Be calm and wear a tutu."  I found this piece of sage advice on a little girl's T-shirt.

It made me smile.  More, it made me think.  I decided I would do well to follow this counsel.

I am a world-champ worrier.  The trouble is, worrying doesn't solve or improve anything.  If I heeded the advice to "be calm," I would approach things with a more peace-filled and hope-filled heart.

As for the "wear a tutu" part:  just the idea of wearing a tutu makes me smile.  And even if I can't find a tutu to fit me, I can enjoying the picture it conjures up in my mind.

Joy for today:  being calm and wearing a tutu.

Day 271 , October 8

"Everyone has lost, or will lose, someone they love. The sense of solidarity which comes with the recognition of this fact is powerful. The fine gifts of understanding, empathy and love are rich rewards for the sufferings of grief.

"No matter the color of our skin, the country of our birth, we are all one humanity. For that, I am deeply grateful."  Taken from a funeral home pamphlet.

The media is satiated with stories of all that separate us.  Whether it be wealth or poverty, black or white, Muslim or Christian, Democrat or Republican, or whatever, the focus is on our differences.

The above quote reminded me that loss is a common denominator.  We have all lost or will lose someone whom we love.  Our grief is the price for loving.  It is a high price, sometimes, we believe, too high, but we can gather strength from those who have experienced similar feelings.  And, in doing so, our differences melt away.

Joy for today:  finding what brings us together (rather than what divides us).