M.C. Kelly's Blog, page 5
February 23, 2019
Have a Better Day
I was in the old Aiken Wal-Mart this morning, getting a few things for Daddy. My credit card won't work. Funny, I had just used it to buy us breakfast. (Used it afterward to buy gas, too, with no issues, but...) The transaction is $16 and change. My purse was in the car. Before trying the card once again, I said to the man behind me, "Don't you hate it when you get in line behind people like me?" His reply was pretty much, "It's happened to me before. It's ok." After the second failed attempt, he offered to cover it. I said no. To be honest, I was in a hurry and just didn't want to have to run to the car. He said he didn't mind. I said that I mind! But I shook his hand, thanked him for his kindness, and went to retrieve some cash. As I was returning to the register, he was leaving and I thanked him again. He told me to have a "better" day.
I think kindness is all around us, but if you watch the news, there's only hate and meanness. Our news stations are basically told what to report each day, and the drivel is repeated umpteen times in 24 hours. To make sure you get the message that we all hate each other. That one faction is warring against another and what side to be on and what to think about it all. Does racism exist? Yes, toward all races. Do people cause harm to others in awful ways? Yes, unfortunately. But if we would try to celebrate others for the good they do, and down play the evil, maybe it would perpetuate more good.
Which got me thinking. What would it take for you to have a better day? Maybe a compliment on your new shirt? Maybe a thumbs up as load your service vehicle to ride toward the coast and aid in what is predicted to be a devastating storm? Someone to hold the door open for you when your arms are full of groceries? Or a baby? Or both? Do for others what you would like done for you. My twist on the Golden Rule today, but basically the same thing.
Good is fighting a battle right now. And it's up to you what side you're on. Choose to be the good. Give someone you don't know an honest compliment. Pay for a stranger's coffee. Strike up a conversation with the person in line in front of you who's having trouble getting her credit card to work. You never know, you just might be the reason that person has a better day.
I think kindness is all around us, but if you watch the news, there's only hate and meanness. Our news stations are basically told what to report each day, and the drivel is repeated umpteen times in 24 hours. To make sure you get the message that we all hate each other. That one faction is warring against another and what side to be on and what to think about it all. Does racism exist? Yes, toward all races. Do people cause harm to others in awful ways? Yes, unfortunately. But if we would try to celebrate others for the good they do, and down play the evil, maybe it would perpetuate more good.
Which got me thinking. What would it take for you to have a better day? Maybe a compliment on your new shirt? Maybe a thumbs up as load your service vehicle to ride toward the coast and aid in what is predicted to be a devastating storm? Someone to hold the door open for you when your arms are full of groceries? Or a baby? Or both? Do for others what you would like done for you. My twist on the Golden Rule today, but basically the same thing.
Good is fighting a battle right now. And it's up to you what side you're on. Choose to be the good. Give someone you don't know an honest compliment. Pay for a stranger's coffee. Strike up a conversation with the person in line in front of you who's having trouble getting her credit card to work. You never know, you just might be the reason that person has a better day.
February 20, 2019
Is your light on?
Is your light on?
I'm tired. I'm weary. I'm exhausted. It's 1am. And I'm listening to a woman yell, "nurse" at the top of her lungs. I feel for her. My heart goes out to her. And I understand. But at the same time, it's stressing those in similar situations. Those waiting. Hoping. Praying for an answer. Desperately wanting the help that we need. Calling out for a solution to our problem that we simply don't have the ability to provide ourselves.
You press the button. Your light goes on to alert the nurse that you need something. And you wait.
Sometimes help comes quickly. Sometimes it takes a little while. And sometimes, they just don't answer when you think they should. It takes patience. It takes faith. It takes trust to know that your light is on, and that your assistance is on the way.
That's what prayer is. A call to One mightier than you. Someone who is in control of all creation. You are asking for help with a seemingly insignificant thing, really, in comparison to holding the universe together. A fever to break. A job to come through. A good grade on a test. Assistance with your life's journey through this harsh, cold world.
Rest assured, my friend: if you have called out to Him who made you, He hears. His ears are attentive to our calls, tears, and distress. He doesn't hesitate to save you from your problems because He is indifferent to them. He answers each call in His way and in His timing. We have to believe He sees our light and is working out our individual, unique answer. The one we need that will help us grow. Learn a lesson. And be able to pass on wisdom and understanding to those who will also trod behind us in the path.
Is your light on?
I'm tired and I'm weary. But I'm learning to lean on Jesus more and more each day. And less and less on my own understanding. I don't want to complain that my prayer hasn't been answered yet. I don't want to discourage you by yelling that I am still waiting. I want you to be encouraged in your faith and trust that the Maker of the stars knows your name. And your pain. And that while I'm waiting on my answer, I'm praying for yours.
I'm tired. I'm weary. I'm exhausted. It's 1am. And I'm listening to a woman yell, "nurse" at the top of her lungs. I feel for her. My heart goes out to her. And I understand. But at the same time, it's stressing those in similar situations. Those waiting. Hoping. Praying for an answer. Desperately wanting the help that we need. Calling out for a solution to our problem that we simply don't have the ability to provide ourselves.
You press the button. Your light goes on to alert the nurse that you need something. And you wait.
Sometimes help comes quickly. Sometimes it takes a little while. And sometimes, they just don't answer when you think they should. It takes patience. It takes faith. It takes trust to know that your light is on, and that your assistance is on the way.
That's what prayer is. A call to One mightier than you. Someone who is in control of all creation. You are asking for help with a seemingly insignificant thing, really, in comparison to holding the universe together. A fever to break. A job to come through. A good grade on a test. Assistance with your life's journey through this harsh, cold world.
Rest assured, my friend: if you have called out to Him who made you, He hears. His ears are attentive to our calls, tears, and distress. He doesn't hesitate to save you from your problems because He is indifferent to them. He answers each call in His way and in His timing. We have to believe He sees our light and is working out our individual, unique answer. The one we need that will help us grow. Learn a lesson. And be able to pass on wisdom and understanding to those who will also trod behind us in the path.
Is your light on?
I'm tired and I'm weary. But I'm learning to lean on Jesus more and more each day. And less and less on my own understanding. I don't want to complain that my prayer hasn't been answered yet. I don't want to discourage you by yelling that I am still waiting. I want you to be encouraged in your faith and trust that the Maker of the stars knows your name. And your pain. And that while I'm waiting on my answer, I'm praying for yours.
