Friday, November 14, 2008

The Day's Accomplishments

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cloudy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

When I stepped outside this morning, with acorns crunching under my feet, I could see the full moon dimly shining through the fast moving clouds. It looked like fog high up. The sun still isn't shining, but maybe that means rain. Hopefully so!

All was calm and peaceful in the Park yesterday... at least on the surface. We never know what is going on underneath the water and in the deep forest. I like to watch the egrets when they look for fish. They are so intent, with eyes focused on their next meal, and the small green herons perch on low branches and are just as intent looking for their food. The anhingas dive down and come up with fish too big to swallow easily, so they juggle and juggle the fish, until it is turned just the right way, so it will slip down the throat easily. Personally, I prefer my fish cooked. :o)

From Quiet Moments with God:

"In him we live and move and have our being."
Acts 17:28 KJV

If asked whether it's better to be proud or humble, most people would say "humble," since we have been taught that pride is a sin. However, if we think being humble means we are to denigrate ourselves or settle for mediocrity, we have the wrong definition of humility.

Humility is remaining teachable in all situations, knowing God is so much greater and we have so much to learn. Humility comes when we recognize God loves us just the way we are and that He will be patient as we strive to become like Him in character, word, and deed.

Motivational speaker and author Denis Waitley has written:

When you come down to the bottom line, joy is accepting yourself as you are right now--an imperfect, changing, growing, and worthwhile person. Realize that liking yourself and feeling that you're an OK individual in your own special way is not necessarily egotistical.
Take pride in what your are accomplishing, and even more importantly, enjoy the unique person you are just in being alive right now. Understand the truth that although we as individuals are not born with equal physical and mental attributes, we are born with equal rights to feel the excitement and joy in believing we deserve the very best in life."

If you scored a victory today, if you won the prize, if you did the right thing, if you moved beyond yourself and extended an act of love and charity to another human being, rejoice in it! Delight in your awareness that the Lord is working in your life and through your life.

To delight in the Lord's work isn't pride. It's a form of praise to your Father who is proud of you any time you succeed according to His principles and design. All the glory goes to Him. It is because of him that we can succeed.

"The smile of God is victory."
John Greenleaf Whittier

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis ( Happy Birthday, Sue!)