Thoughtfulness

Are we born thoughtful, or do we learn it? Are you thoughtful? Do you think at least one step beyond yourself to the needs of others? If you see a person carrying a load that seems like it might fall out and break, do you rush to help? If you're on a crowded bus or train and there's an older person that reminds you of your grandparent do you offer them your seat? If you're five steps ahead of someone and you walk in a building, do you hold the door open for the next person?

If you answered yes to all of the above, you are thoughtful. If you answered yes to two, you're thinking. If you answered yes to one or no to all three, you're clueless and self-centered, but not alone, sadly. You're in the company of the too busy, too hurried, too important group that make up a significant part of our society. But there's help and it's called getting a servant's heart through prayer and the study of the life of Jesus who put others so far in front that He got put on a cross for all people, even the clueless.

Get to thinking beyond yourself.

Setting and Living Personal Goals

The late Zig Ziglar, late in his life realized that the "goodness" of life had settled around his midsection and he realized that he needed to do something about it. This was an interesting development because one of Zig's mantras was "checkup from the neck up."

He posted a picture of a man from a men's health magazine on his bathroom wall near his mirror. He was a muscular, slender man, and I would add, fellas, be sure you explain to your spouse what you're doing; otherwise it can get really awkward really fast! But Zig said to himself every morning, "I want to look like that! That's my goal!" And so, every day, no matter where he was, he ran. And regardless of the weather he would run and run until he reached his goal.

You and I have set goals but boy is it easy to let things like weather or a little comment throw us off track. We won't run in the rain and we sure can't run in the cold. Or we say, if our goal is like Zig's, "Any way, I'm running, this cheeseburger won't hurt me!" And we all know the rest.

Set your goals and stick to them in faith, doing what it takes to reach them. Ask God for help and give God the glory every step of that way.

You can do it!

Proof or You'll Goof

Yesterday I thought was going to be a great day. I can't name all the things that were going just right. I had found the ideal parking spot in front of the hotel where I usually stay. I was assigned to the room I always request. I know most of the front desk staff by name, and I even made friends with the hotel's engineer. I told him about a problem with this particular room of a slow draining tub and when I got home the day before, he had left me a note saying the tub was fixed, and the maid left me a note saying I should have a good day. And overall I did, except that I made Jesus a rabbit.

Yep, not an Easter Bunny, but an itinerant rabbit. Yes, Peter Cottontail is itinerant, hopping down the bunny trail and all that, but what a horror to discover an email from a friend who lovingly said that he knew that I usually wrote my devotions before my first cup of coffee, but had I meant to make Jesus a rabbit? Of course no, but I saw it as I reread the post. Yikes. I responded by saying that's why we had the Easter Bunny. Another sent me a message by Facebook letting me know the same thing. I was thankful that somebody actually reads my postings but felt bad that I had not proofed. I goofed. It's on me. Or as the kids say, "My bad."

Proof or you'll goof.