Turning the Negative to the Positve

Have you ever noticed in yourself or others that when a rough day comes and something positive comes in to it, it radically changes the outlook on your day? If you haven't experienced it you are missing out. I have had such an experience and it really enhanced my day. I would presume if you do or did, it would enhance your day, too.

When your day is filled with bad news, bad luck, stress or negativism, to lift your head up to see the outcome of the future is super challenging. However, just one positive thing can make all the difference. Sometimes, for me, it is coming home to a beautiful wife and kids, receiving their "welcome" is a real mood lifter.

Speaking of things that lift the mood, here is this week's quote...

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. ~ William Arthur Ward

To be stuck looking at all the negative things in life will leave you very frustrated. It will seem as nothing is going right, when in fact there are many things to leave you with a smile.

Focus on the negative, and that will be what you're seeing. Look for the silver lining portions of your day that may pop up suddenly and a whole new "day" may come out of it!

Are you focused on your burdens or your blessings? Being thankful, or showing gratitude for your blessings may make the day seem like a much better day! Try it sometime!

Now it's your turn...How does gratitude transform your days?

How Do You Carry?

Recently, I was talking to my wife, after seeing our niece carry our 7 month old around, about the way girls carry small children “on their hip.” You have probably seen this be performed, if you haven’t carried a child that way yourself. The carry is to the side, on top of the hip bone.

My comment leaned toward not understanding how girls typically carry children like that. I cannot do that, and it be comfortable. I will carry kids on the front, somewhere – right or left or with both arms.

Given that, everyone carries children differently, but we all still carry them. Some like to carry on the front, in a harness-like apparatus. As they get a bit older, you may carry them on your shoulders or piggy-back. It is all different, but it is all carrying.  This brings us to this week’s quote…

Everybody carries some type of burden. It's how you carry it that counts!  ~ George Bernard Shaw

How do you carry your burdens? Around your arms, on your hip, on your shoulders, piggy-back, or in a back pack? Maybe you just load them up in the back of your figurative pick-up. Maybe you put them in a box and push them around on a dolly (aka hand truck) and take them wherever you go.

The Bible instructs us to do two things with our burdens: 1) give them to Him (I Peter 5:7*), 2) give them to others to help us with them (Galatians 6:2**).

The way I carry a small child may be easier in certain ways than others, either way I am going to carry the child. It is up to me to decide how. The same goes for you, my friend, you can carry your burdens any way you decide to. Some are easier than others, but how you do it is up to you. The best way is to combine the two ways the Bible instructs.  Carry on!

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*I Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (NIV)

**Galatians 6:2 – Carry each other's burdens , and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)

Come to the Cross

As there are many benefits to working for the US Postal Service, one of the drawbacks, for those that are carriers, are back problems. My brother-in-law is one such person. He has had back problems for a while now and continues to work for the Postal Service. Carrying the mailbag for a good amount of the work day would create fatigue at the end of each day. It is probably a huge relief to come in from the day and set your bags down. However, you have to turn around and do it all again tomorrow!

Yesterday, we looked at the idea of coming to the cross. When we come to the cross we need to lay our burdens/worries/anxieties down and leave them there. It doesn't matter what our past is like, there is always room for one more. As we look back on this lesson, here are some applications to choose from...

1. Give it up! Each of us have concerns on our plate. You may have started out today with a list "a mile long" of things that you have to get done or are thinking about. Did it make you look forward to the day? Some of the things that are on your list may not be things you can control. Those are areas that we definitely must leave at the Cross for Jesus to take care of. Don't be like the mail carrier and pick it up the next day...leave it at the Cross!
2. After a long time of carrying something we get thirsty. After you've laid your cares/burdens/anxieties down at the Cross, you will need a "break". At this break you can drink...the water of life. As a way to aid in not trying to pick up your baggage again, you need to be in prayer with Him. This will occupy that time that you previously would have used to "carry the baggage". Find something, if not prayer, to occupy your time that helps you spend that time with Him - listen to music, read a book, etc.
3. unLimited Openings! I've had times when I was trying to find a place to eat, just to pull up to one that was very full. The waiting time was over 20 minutes, sometimes an hour. Some of those I waited at, while others I passed by to find another restaurant. That same concept may be what is keeping you from going to the Cross. You think that you are just a number and there isn't room. Friends, that just isn't so. There is UNlimited openings at the Cross...so don't delay...GO!!!

The Cross is a place of rest...where Jesus takes on our sins and burdens, so we don't have to. This week, enjoy rest as you take things and dump them off at the Cross! Enjoy a "lighter" week!

Taking Several Trips to the Cross...