Wednesday, September 17, 2008

The Big Picture

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!  When I stepped outside this morning, there was the moon, still round and very bright high in the western sky. When the moon is so bright, the stars are dimmed and are difficult to see, but the sky is glorious! God is Awesome!

Because I had a late start, I didn't get to walk yesterday, but did go through the park, and saw a peahen on the way in. All was still and quiet on the water, with the sun shining brightly on it. The squirrels are busy, as always, running back and forth. Speaking of squirrels, our trees have many and the acorns are now falling, so Fall is definitely on the way. Lots of acorns to sweep up daily...

From Quiet Moments with God daily devotional:

During World War ll, parachutes were manufactured in many factories across the United States. From the worker's point of view, it was tedious. They had to stitch endless yards of fabric, which did not look anything like parachutes. They worked eight to ten hours a day to make a formless massive heap of cloth.

The management in one factory held a meeting with his workers each morning, to keep them motivated and concerned with quality.

The workers were told approximately how many parachutes had been strapped onto the backs of pilots, copilots, and other "flying" personnel the previous day. They knew just how many men had jumped to safety from disabled planes. The managers encouraged their workers to see the "big picture" on their job.

As a second means of motivation, the workers were asked to form a mental picture of a husband, brother, or sons who might be the one saved by the parachute they were sewing.

The level of quality in that factory was one of the highest on record!

Don't let the tedium of each day's chores and responsibilities wear you down, so you only see the "stitching" in front of you. Keep your eyes on the big picture. Focus on why you do what you do, and who will benefit from your work, including those you don't know and may never meet. You may not have all the answers to the question, "Why am I here?" but you can rest assured the Lord does!

Ultimately, the Bible tells us we will be in Heaven for eternity--and that is the biggest picture of all! God is preparing us for Heaven, just as He is preparing Heaven for us. He is creating us to be the people He wants to live with forever.

I go to prepare a place for you.and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am, there you may be also..
John 14:2-3

It is our best work that God wants, 
not the dregs of our exhaustion.
I think he must prefer quality to quantity.
  George MacDonald

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love.

 Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis