Today

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day and a wonderfully successful week is coming to a close for you!

So how did it go? Last week I challenged us to encourage one another - so long as today is today - for one week. Did you? If so, how was your week? If not, how was your week? Funny isn't it, either way we are making a choice. Even if we choose not to make a choice we make a choice...Wow!

There are two things that have been on my heart this week that I want to share with you:
1. On Wednesday I was driving along highway 520 in Washington heading from Seattle to Woodinville...stunningly beautiful! The thought, the idea that today is all the matters was heavy on my heart and mind. The Bible says that the Lord's mercies are new each day. If you have ever been awake as dark turns to dawn you have witnessed the near miraculous renewal as the world wakes up again. Yet, how many of us truly live this out...the renewing, the refreshing, the opportunities, the hopes and the promises that each new day brings?

So often we get caught up in the faults, mistakes & failures of yesterday that we don't allow ourselves to live fully in today. It is really sad. How many times have I insured failure today because I was so caught up, hung up, trapped - whatever you want to call it - in what happened the day before...a day, time and events that I can no longer do anything about? Each morning when you and I wake up everything begins anew. Please, pause and think about that for a moment. When you and I wake up tomorrow morning we have made no choices, we have made no mistakes, we have had no failures in that day. It is all new and fresh. There is great hope, great opportunity and great promise in each and every day. Oh how I hope that we will all let this truth penetrate our hearts, minds & spirits! Our pasts do not define us. We each will choose, each and every day, how to approach that day - fresh & new or tired & weary. We will either sprint towards the hope, opportunity & promise that each day brings or we will drag the baggage of regret, sorrow & shame into the day. We - you, me, everyone - will choose. We will choose every day. I challenge us to choose the hope, the opportunity & the promise that will call our names as our world comes alive each and every morning.

2. I don't know why this has been on my heart lately. I remembered having read this poem several years ago and for some reason it has been heavy on my heart. Thanks to the internet I was able to google a few key words and find it. I wanted to share this incredible poem with you and let it speak to you, to your heart, however it will.

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost!
That’s why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble -
needing God to be my guide

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
but God believes I’m worth it

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
which is why I seek His name

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved

Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer

Please let me know if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always be willing to help you any way I can.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish those precious families.

Kev