"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is obtained by a righteous life."
— Proverbs 16:31

"Even to your old age I am He; and even to hair white with age will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry and will save you."
— Isaiah 46:4

The Sculptors' Attitude

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight.

I have responsibilities to fulfill today. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or... I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or... I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or... I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or... I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or... I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or... I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or... I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or... eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or... I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped.

And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to me.

I get to choose what kind of day I will have!

— Author Unknown

Can God Use You?

The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember...

Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
John the Baptist ate bugs
Peter denied Christ
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer...and
Lazarus was DEAD!

NOW...no more excuses! God can use you to your full potential. Besides, you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.

God is waiting to use your full potential!

Say "YES" to Life!!

Life is difficult. It's complicated. It's multi-layered. It's unpredictable. So why say 'yes' to life?

I enjoyed pondering this question as I spoke with various people who, clearly, have said 'yes' by their actions and by their attitude. Why have they chosen an affirmative outlook - despite health challenges, aging, family commitments and death of loved ones? Because life is easier, more satisfying, and ultimately more joyful when we embrace it instead of resisting it. Some people call such behavior 'going with the flow.' Others see it as surrendering to God's plan.