Thought And Scripture For The Day

I thought I'd share my devotion for today.

Thought for the Day...
If there is something you desire in life, look to Jesus to help you bring it to pass. And while He is working on it, remember to find pleasure in what He has already given you!

Scripture for the Day...
Be content with such things as ye have.
-Hebrews 13:5


No Future In The Past

The man looked a little worried when the doctor came in to
administer his annual physical, so the first thing the doctor did
was to ask whether anything was troubling him.

"Well, to tell the truth, Doc, yes," answered the patient. "You
see, I seem to be getting forgetful. No, it's actually worse than
that. I can never remember where I park my car, where I'm going,
or what it is I'm going to do once I get there -- if I get there.
So, I really need your help. What can I do?"

The doctor mused for a moment, then answered kindly, "Pay me in
advance."

Actually, forgetfulness isn't all bad...especially when we decide
to forget all that pain from the past that threatens to ruin the
present. Like one song says, "There ain't no future in the past."

The past is to be remembered -- how else will we learn from it
and keep from repeating it? But why would I want to remember
every time I felt hurt because of my spouse, my children, my
friends, my boss or anybody else? Why would I want to fill my mind
with a detailed catalogue of past pain? Better to remember the times
they brought me joy or love or feelings of warmth. Unfortunately, even those wonderful and magical moments too easily fade away.

A friend of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross,
asked her about a particular traumatic event in her life. Miss
Barton seemed perplexed.

"Can't you remember?" the friend prodded.

Clara Barton replied, "I distinctly remember forgetting it."

Dwell on the past -- but not the negative past, not the pain of
the past nor the sadness. Dwell on the good. Be consumed by past
joys and obsessed with gratitude. Dwell upon the moments that
uplifted you, the times you laughed and the memories of love
shown to you by friends and family.

Not everything should be remembered, and those who live well know
what to forget and what to cherish. Like the song says, "There
ain't no future in the past." But there IS joy there. And love.
And kindness...if we choose to remember.

-- Steve Goodier


I know that my family jokingly tells me I have a Pollyanna view. I jokingly tell them I love my Pollyanna world. But all kidding aside, I choose to not dwell on the sadness, my heartaches or my pains. I remember them, but that's it. I choose to focus on the good, the happy times, the love, the kindness and the fun times. Dwelling on the bad, does me and those around me no good.