Take the time to pray to God, to invite His love into your soul...

Happy Hump Day all, it is a wonderfully beautiful morning here, a slight breeze allowing the branches on the trees a slow dance, the sky crystal clear and the sun making it ready to come up over the mountain top to say welcome to the new day! I love mornings, my coffee in hand, my window open so that the birds are serenading me into what WILL be an awesome day. 

In my morning chat with God I found myself filled with his wonder as I do each morning, I found myself feeling eager to see what this day holds for me and to see who will be placed in my path and what I will be blessed with doing for them. Each day when I arise I give thanks for the fact that I am alive for another chance at being in God's army, I give thanks for the beauty around me and I give thanks for my family and my friends. I give thanks for the support that so many give by joining me in prayer. I ask our Father in heaven to bless you today with knowledge that you are his child, that he loves you unconditionally and that there is nothing that can be going on in your life today that he will not guide you through if only you reach out and take his hand. I asked that he continue to be with those in need of healing this day, that he continue to be with the family of the newborn little angel who was found to have no brain activity yesterday as this family goes through the decision process and stands by watching this little one hooked to machines. Bless them oh Lord with strength to do what they must do. I ask you God to lay hands upon each of them, to calm their hearts and give peace to their spirits. I prayed for each of you that you realize today is a gift and that you use it to the best of your ability to see the needs of others and to make a plan of action in helping them. Father hold each of us close to your heart today allowing us to listen to your still quiet voice and know what it is that you have need for us to do. In the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, I ask for mercy and favor. Amen.

Take The Time

Rush, rush, rush, hurry, hurry, hurry, check your watch, check your schedule, and worry, worry, worry! Gulp down your coffee, wolf down your breakfast, and head out the door! Think of the thousand things you have to do today and forget about your joy! 

If any of you see yourself in those words then you have my sympathy. That was the way I lived for far too many days in my life. My eyes were always on what I had to do. My thoughts were always on not having enough time to do it. My feelings were always set on stress, fear, and frustration. At the time I thought I was living my life, but in truth there was very little living in all of that activity. 

Finally there came a point one day when I decided that it didn’t matter if I got everything done or not. I realized that most of those things I had been striving to do didn’t add one moment of happiness to my life. Instead they ate up my days and squeezed out moments I could have spent loving others. They left no time for prayer, no time for appreciation, no time for simple pleasures or heartfelt joys. It was then that I ripped up my schedule and tossed it in the trash. 

I remember that first day without it. I enjoyed my breakfast for the first time in months. I actually noticed the birds flying across the sky. I stopped my car, got out, and walked over to a Cherry tree to smell the blossoms on it. Instead of rushing my children home from school I took them to the park and let them run and play. I stayed outside longer than usual when I walked my dogs in the evening. I watched the sunset and let the warm Spring breeze kiss my face. I thanked God for my life, felt love in my heart, and had more joy that day than I could ever remember. And the funny thing was I still got everything done that I needed to do. 

Life isn’t some endless list of chores. Life is instead a chance to learn, grow, and love. Take the time to love then. Take the time to sing, smile, and have joy. Take the time to taste your meals, smell the flowers, and watch the sunrise in the morning. Take the time to hug your children, laugh with your friends, and help others in need. Take the time to do a good deed and share a kind word. Take the time to pray to God, to invite His love into your soul, and to share it with everyone around you. Take the time to become the best possible you, you can be. The wonderful writer and educator Leo Buscaglia once said: "Life is God’s gift to you. How you live it is your gift to God." Take the time to live it well.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella ~