Daily Positive Thread for Thursday

gloriajean · ‎03-10-2010

Kindness can accomplish that which force won't. Lord, may I pause when I am
about to react to irritations and respond as though it is You to whom I speak.

Scripture for the day:
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate
your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he
makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the
righteous and on the unrighteous. ~Matthew 5:43-45

Meditation for the day:
We can turn out all thoughts of doubt and fear and resentment. We need not
tolerate them. We can bar the windows and doors of our minds against them,
as we would bar our homes against a thief who would steal in to take away
our treasures. What greater treasures can we have than faith and courage
and love? All these can be stolen from us by doubt and fear and resentment.
We can face each day with peace and hope. They are the results of true
faith in God. Faith can give us a feeling of protection and safety that we
can get in no other way.

Prayer for the day:
I pray that I may feel protected and safe, but not only when I am in the
harbor. I pray that I may have protection and safety even in the midst of
the storms of life. As Mark Twain said, "A ship in the harbor is safe. But
that's not what ships are for!"

Greetings my friends! Today was a beautiful, sunny day, not too hot. I made some chicken soup for supper. Just an ordinary day here. How about you?

Homily of the Day
Even Jesus Wasn’t Born Finished
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Gn 41:55-57, 42:5-7a, 17-24a / Mt 10:1-7
For those of us who are reasonably conscientious and self-aware, the reality of our unfinishedness can sometimes be a heavy burden. It’s more than just our sins, which, like the poor, seem to be with us always. Sometimes it’s the lack of the wisdom that we feel we should have by now, or the absence of the clear road map that we think we surely should possess by now.
When those moments of frustration or impatience at the slow pace of our own unfolding do come, we can find comfort in looking at Jesus’ own growth and development into the great man who in the end was willing to die for us. That’s where He ended up, not where He started. As St. Paul said, ‘He was like us in all things but sin.’
Today’s gospel gives us clear evidence of that. In sending out His apostles on their own for the first time, Jesus gives them quite narrow instructions: Limit your sharing of the Good News to Jews only! It would take a good while before Jesus would come to a full understanding of His vocation, which is to all people — without exceptions.
So be patient. Let your unfinishedness keep you gratefully mindful of your absolute dependence on God, who will walk with you all the way to the end of this very long road to wholeness. He sees your every step with the eyes of a loving Parent. Trust that, and let it be enough!

TO BE THANKFUL FOR:
Author Unknown
July 6, 2011
The mess to clean after a party because it means I have been
surrounded by friends.
The taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed.
The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough
to eat.
My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the
sunshine.
A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that
need fixing because it means I have a home.
All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we
have freedom of speech.
The space I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I
am capable of walking.
My huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
The lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that
I can hear.
The piles of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to
wear.
Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I
have been productive.
The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means
that I'm alive.
Getting too much email bogs me down but at least I know I have
friends who are thinking of me.
Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when The alarm rings, thank
you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.
Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long
as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you Lord,
that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.
Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost,
toast is burned and tempers are short, thank you, Lord, for My family.
There are many who are lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in
magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for
the food we have. There are many who are hungry;
Even though the routine of my job often is hard, thank you, Lord, for
the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.
Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my
circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life.
Pass this on to the friends you know.
A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift.
A friend is someone we treasure for our friendship is a gift.
A friend is someone who fills our lives with Beauty, Joy, and Grace
and
makes the world we live in A Better and Happier Place.

A SURE WAY TO A HAPPY DAY
Happiness is something we create in our mind.
Its not something we search for & seldom find.
It's just waking up & beginning the day
By countin our blessings & kneeling to pray.
It's giving up thoughts that breed discontent
And accepting what comes as a gift heaven-sent.
It's giving up wishing for things we have not
And making the best of whatever we've got,
It's knowing that life is determined for us'
And pursuing our tasks without fret, fear, or fuss.
For it's by completing what God gives us to do
That we find real contentment & Happiness too.
By Helen Steiner Rice

Forget it!
Forget about the days when it's been cloudy,
but don't forget your hours in the sun
Forget about the times you've been defeated,
but don't forget the victories you've won
Forget about mistakes that you can't change now,
but don't forget the lessons that you've learned
Forget about misfortunes you've encountered,
but don't forget the times your luck has turned
Forget about the days when you've been lonely,
but don't forget the friendly smiles you've seen
Forget about the plans that didn't seem to work out right,
but don't forget to always have a dream.

EVERY DAY PRAYER
Every Day I need thee Lord,
This day especially
I need some extra strength to face
Whatever is to be
This day more than any day
I need to feel thee near
To fortify my courage
And overcome my fears
By myself I cannot meet the challenges of the hour
There are times when human creatures need a higher power
To bear what must be borne
And so dear Lord I pray
Hold on to my trembling hand
And be with me Today
Amen
Author Unknown