The Brick

I am sure many of you might have seen this following story in an email, but I found it priceless and wanted to share with those of you who haven't...

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.

The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, 'What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?'

The young boy was apologetic. 'Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do,' He pleaded. 'I threw the brick because no one else would stop..' With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. 'It's my brother, 'he said 'He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up.'

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, 'Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me.'

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat.. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.

'Thank you and may God bless you,' the grateful child told the stranger.

Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door.

He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: 'Don't go through life
so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!'

God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

Thought for the Day:

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.

He sends you flowers every spring.

He sends you a sunrise every morning. Face it, friend - He is crazy about
you!

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

I pray this touched you as it did me. Might we take the time to slow down today...and not miss the opportunities that come our way!!!

Please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Be Happy!!!

We've been going over several things dealing with struggles the past week or so and thought I would bring a post with more of something we should be happy with. I've been browsing through some sites of friends the past couple days and found my inspiration at Russ Hutto's site. He has some free wallpaper that hit me. The March free paper was a canvas with Romans 5:8 on it, beautifully done, I might add.

So, today I want to look at Romans 5:8-11..."But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (11) And not only so , but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."

What hope that brings!!! First off, though we were sinners...can anyone argue that fact for themselves? I think not and would also make sure we realize we are STILL sinners, but sinners saved by grace. Yet Christ died for the whole lot of us, right? Verse 9 continues telling us that through being justified by his blood, we are saved from wrath through him. This isn't saying we are freed from any negative ever occurring in our lives, but rather from an eternal wrath. Continuing on, we are reminded that if we were reconciled while yet enemies, how much more we shall glory in him being atoned by his blood.

I am reminded of the song "Friend of God" in which the lyrics speak so plainly about how amazing it is that God would be mindful of me and is thinking of me, and wants to be my friend. Am I the only one who can't sing that song without a huge smile coming across my face???

For some strange reason, the chorus of "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin came to mind when I was reading the passage in Romans. (Yes, I am definitely a child of the 80's) We don't have to live in worry and fear, be happy knowing that we have the Hope that so many are searching for!!!

What verse, passage, or maybe even song do you draw strength from? I'd like to see some of you share a bit of encouragement today!!! Jump into the conversation...