By Robert J. Hastings
TUCKED AWAY in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent. We're traveling by train and, from the windows, we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures, of smoke pouring from power plants, of row upon row upon row of cotton and corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of city skylines and village halls.
But uppermost in our conscious minds is our final destination--for at a certain hour and on a given day, our train will finally pull into the Station with bells ringing, flags waving, and bands playing. And once that day comes, so many wonderful dreams will come true. So restlessly, we pace the aisles and count the miles, peering ahead, waiting, waiting, waiting for the Station.
"Yes, when we reach the Station, that will be it!" we promise ourselves. "When we're eighteen. . . win that promotion. . . put the last kid through college. . . buy that 450SL Mercedes-Benz. . . have a nest egg for retirement!"
From that day on we will all live happily ever after.
Sooner or later, however, we must realize there is no Station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is the joy. The Station is an illusion--it constantly outdistances us. Yesterday's a memory, tomorrow's a dream. Yesterday belongs to a history, tomorrow belongs to God. Yesterday's a fading sunset, tomorrow's a faint sunrise. Only today is there light enough to love and live.
So, gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather the regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today.
"Relish the moment" is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, swim more rivers, climb more mountains, kiss more babies, count more stars. Laugh more and cry less. Go barefoot oftener. Eat more ice cream. Ride more merry-go-rounds. Watch more sunsets. Life must be lived as we go along. The Station will come soon enough.
The guest minster did this as a sermon today at church. Robert Hastings was featured with this story in one of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. How honest is his writing? It is true that if we concetrate mostly on that huge house, that suped up car, the name brand clothes, our looks...and so on...how when we get these things the feeling is wonderful but also short lived.....especially if we are not achieving these things with God by our sides. The joy of material items does not last. Money comes and goes, cars break down, houses constantly need upkeeping, and so on. The only thing that stays consistant is God's love for us. God wants us to achieve our dreams, but by going through him. If you do not go through God's will and God's chosen path for you, your dreams once achieved will either not last, or turn out not being enough. You will want more, because you are not feeling the joy and love from God. Without God in your life, there will consistantly be an emptiness. Believe me, I know first hand. If you ignore God's will you will run into problems, feel stressed, feel alone, angry, sad and frustrated. Achieving your dreams will be hard.
God, now being a very important part of my life has shown me that all things ARE possible with him. And, he will bring all good into your life and help you achieve your dreams leaving you feeling like they are no work at all. Why I struggled so much in my past was because I wanted what I wanted and wasn't listening to God.
If you find yourself in the same situation...or similar situation, over and over again, it is because you are not learning from it. God wants us to learn and become better people from the lessons we learn. If you feel trapped in a cirlce of stress because your life is one huge circle....know that if you do not learn your lesson, God will bring it around AGAIN! It is a pattern that you can get out of just by listening to God. The joy you receive is undescribable. With God, you appreciate so much more in life. I feel that as long as I can smell roses, view amazing sunsets, feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, obtain long lasting loyal friendships, spend time with my family, squeeze my children, maintain my job, stay healthy, have my pets lay on my lap, taste a butterscotch krimpet, have a roof over my head, and feel God's love......there is nothing more that I need.
What I am thankful for today:
my home
my children
my pets
all of my wonderful loving, faithful, understanding, friends
my family
God
my church
the wonderful opportunities that have been arising
allowing God to shine through me
Amy Grant
my new teachers
new ideas
the simple things in life
living for each moment
life lessons (hopefully learned..LOL!)
unconditional love
laughter
my store
my strength
open mindedness
positive attitudes
inspiration
appreciation
hugs
faith
hope
peace
