Free to Fly: A Great Way to Think!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

A Great Way to Think!

A very sweet friend of mine, sent out an e-mail about prayer this morning.

I love the sentiment behind it...

I thought I would share it with you all.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Heavenly Father, help us remember that

the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night

is a single mother who worked nine hours that day

and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry

and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man

who can't make change correctly, is a worried 19-year-old college student,

balancing his apprehension over final exams,

with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day

is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles,

and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment,

knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week,

this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us,

the greatest gift is love.

It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear.

Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to ALL.

Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

5 comments:

Masked Rabbit said...: Wow oh Wow. This is very powerful. I have covered every single one of those impatient, unloving thoughts in my life and not that long ago either. This is so right and what a timely reminder. We have no idea what is going on in other people's worlds! Thanks for posting this; December 18, 2007 at 11:19 AM
Cecily R said...: Thanks Maria, for the great reminders. I need them today (feeling a bit frazzled and stressed and not thinking much about all the good stuff around me).

XO; December 18, 2007 at 1:48 PM
She Rose Up said...: Hey BG!
I know what you mean, when it came to me via e-mail I was like, OMG(osh)! This is SO me at times (not always - except for maybe in Walmart! LOL!) I needed it! So, I thought I would share!

Cecily! You are welcome! I know what you mean about the frazzies! 'Tis the season I reckon...I hope you can get some relief!

hugs!
Maria; December 18, 2007 at 3:39 PM
luvmy4sons said...: Lovely post. Lovely thoughts. Ouch! I confess that I am often too quick to be more concerned about myself and my schedule and needs than to show grace and love. Thanks for the wonderful reminder. I loved it.; December 18, 2007 at 4:29 PM
She Rose Up said...: Hey Leslie!

Yeah! It got me too! You're welcome!

Hope you are having a fab day up in your neck of the woods!

hugs,
Maria; December 19, 2007 at 9:55 AM

Post a Comment

What Does it Mean Anyway? "Free to Fly"...

Well, it's like this: Here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Free: a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen b : enjoying civil and political liberty c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination d : enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another2 a : not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself...having a scope not restricted by qualification 7 a : not obstructed, restricted, or impeded ...Now, here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Fly:1 a : to move in or pass through the air with wings b : to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space c : to float, wave, or soar in the air ... a : to take flight ...6 : to work successfully ...Examples which apply from Websters: fly high : to be elated - fly in the face of or fly in the teeth of : to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance or contradiction of

What does this mean in my life? This means that in life we are meant to be free. While historically mankind has not always enjoyed the opportunity to fully appreciate what that means, we are so indescribably fortunate as to live in a time of the greatest spiritual, physical, financial and political freedom ever known. Freedom doesn't come cheap, nor does it come easy. But the best things in life don't come that way do they? As I write this I am struck by how this sounds like a political statement, and for me this is much more of a spiritual thing, but, same goes for that (political that is). Freedom doesn't come easy. And it's worth whatever fight you have to make to overcome in your life in order to live a life that succeeds. Now the questions is - what is success for you? What is your standard? In my mind what is needed is a definite target - because you can't hit and maintain a moving target. A stable, rock-solid, anchor with no variable, yet multi-faceted. Something pure, just and worthy. If you look at any web page of news you can see that our society is certainly lacking in this area. What a great time to live as a rebel! Nowadays to be a rebel, all you have to do is be willing to engage in the battle of life, while anchored to Christ!