Dear readers,
I just joined a wonderful Facebook group called "Generation Fabulous" - "GenFab" for short. This week, they are doing a blog hop on the topic "writing a letter to your 20-year-old self". My contribution follows. I have also included links to the other posts at the bottom of this page for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!
________________________________
Dear 20-year-old Fern,
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.
"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."
-G.K. Chesterton
We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.
Emma Smiling
I collect smiles.
I didn't really mean to collect them, in the beginning that is.
It started out quite by accident Collecting Smiles but now I collect smiles on purpose because, honestly, it makes me feel good, and better and sometimes just excellently so ... as in warm and cushy feelings inside.
Remind yourself of this about a smile:
I never miss a chance to drink in beauty in all forms. I crave it; I seek it out. like a treasure hunter. It captivates my soul; stirring me, infusing me, whispering to me and declaring the goodness of God.
I see beauty revealed in landscapes and gardens and newborn babies faces; in lightning and waterfalls and delicately woven laces; in sunsets and diamonds and impassioned first kisses.
“People today have forgotten they're really just a part of nature. Yet, they destroy the nature on which our lives depend. They always think they can make something better. Especially scientists. They may be smart, but most don't understand the heart of nature. They only invent things that, in the end, make people unhappy. Yet they're so proud of their inventions.
This is an excerpt from a book I wrote 8 years ago. It is a story about a shy butterfly that lives his life in the shadows of trees and is afraid to come out into the sunlight and play. The illustrations are by the talented Debby Edwards who added the perfect touch with her delightful pictures to my words, enjoy:
I was shocked to hear the people in my meditation class telling our teachers they didn't have time to meditate. One after the other went through their to do list, in great, agonizing detail, taking up time with their excuses. The teacher, so kind, so compassionate, simply responded, "you just make time."
It's difficult to believe we are all busy every second of the day.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
