I Think I Can

I think I can, I think I can... what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you read that phrase?  If you are like most of us, your mind goes back to the children's book titled "The Little Engine That Could."  The story goes that a long train needs to get over a mountain, but all the engines refused to help out.  All, that is, except one small blue engine who was equipped with a positive can- do attitude.  Though the mountain was massive and the train very tremendous, the blue engine believed he could pull the train over the mountain.  He focused his thoughts and repeated that all too familiar phrase , "I think I can, I think I can, over and over until, in fact, he realized his goal, conquered the mountain and proudly shouted.... " I thought I could , I thought I could!!

In Proverbs 23:7 (KJV), we are told .." As he thinketh in his heart, so is he."   This verse and many others in the Bible make it clear that our thought life or how we think, has a direct relation to how we live and feel.   Countless research studies by scientists have confirmed these teachings showing that when we have negative, worrisome thoughts that we dwell on, our lives tend to be negative and lacking hope.  On the contrary, when we focus and think on what is good in our lives and in the lives of others, we tend to see life full of options and experience happy emotions more often.  Philippians 4:8 is another verse that teaches us to think/dwell on whatever is true, honorable, pure, lovely, etc.    Controlling our thoughts is not just scientific feel good jargon, but is a prescription for a more peaceful, hopeful life from our heavenly Father.

So, what is the mountain in your life that you need to conquer?  Is it Mount cancer, Mount job loss, Mount sick child or some other mountain? No matter the mountain you need to scale, focus your thoughts, believe without wavering and have hope.  Before long, you too, like the little blue engine can smile and say, " I thought I could--I thought I could!"     

    

He Did It On Purpose!

It had been a very stressful and tiring week for Luke.  The results of an overbooked life that plagues many of us.   Living life at warp speed with little meaningful fruit to show for it.  Luke was facing another day and took a look at his appointments when he arrived at work.  Letting out a sigh and an audible "UGH!", Luke was having a gigantic pity party for himself thinking how tired he was getting of the continuous running of the rat race and all of the stress.  Luke closed his eyes and just said a quick, sincere prayer telling God his thoughts & feelings and that he needed a little help that day.

A few minutes later, Luke heard the familiar ping of an incoming text message.   It was from a wise & good buddy that he hadn't heard from in a couple weeks.  Here's the actual text conversation:

Buddy:  You OK this morning?

Luke:  Yea.... Got to get my coffee.   You ok?

Buddy:  Yep.... I woke up so the rest is all good.

Luke:  Great outlook.... I needed to read that this morning.  Life is stressful & I've been letting it get to me.  So God has already used u today to help someone out.  Thx!!

Buddy:  Sorry your life is stressful.  It will get better.  Strange that of all the mornings.... this is the day I texted you isn't it...

Luke:  I had prayed 5 min before u texted for God to help me deal w stress.  HE is amazing!!!

This is a true story.  Some may write this off to coincidence, but you would have a hard time convincing Luke of that.  God is a living God.  If your son or daughter sincerely asks for your help, wouldn't you help them if you could?  God is a flawless parent, so we can be sure he will help his kids too.  It might not be immediate & it might not come in a text message, but He provides what we need and for Luke, God provided a good dose of perspective that day and used Luke's friend to deliver it.   

When we face our daily struggles in life, be it cancer, aging parents, drug addicted family members, or daily stress, remember that the fact that you woke up this morning means God still has a purpose for you.  Someone, somewhere, at some time, will need you in a BIG way.  A simple word or deed done in love can have far reaching effects for another.   "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11  Remember, every thing God does is on "PURPOSE."  

ANYWAY

God is great, but sometimes life ain't good,
When I pray it doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway…….I do it anyway

Those are some of the lyrics from Martina McBride’s song, “Anyway.”    I’ve heard this song many times, but today it just struck me as to how powerful this little word, “anyway”, truly is when you think about it.  The definition of the word anyway means regardless or no matter what.     Now that, in my opinion,  is perseverance at its finest.    A perfect example of this perseverance comes from a poem inscribed on the wall of a children’s home in Calcutta, India , which was known to be the home to Mother Teresa.  An excerpt from that poem reads:

"People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway. "

When you think about it, it's always really been between you and God anyway.  So, no matter what physical or emotional obstacles are placed in your path today, push forward, move ahead and do what would make God smile ANYWAY!  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9

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