Thank God For My Shoes

Thank God for my shoes--they fit only me. I woke up one day and I realized that there were many things about my life I was not satisfied with.

And I said to myself, "Why should anyone envy me and want to be in my shoes." They don't know how far I've come, they don't know what lies ahead of me, and neither do they know how dissatisfied I get with myself from time to time.

People don't know the troubles that you've had or the price you had to pay to get to where you are. All they know is that they wish they were like you.

Why should you wish you were in anybody's shoes when you don't know how they fit? When you've worn your shoes for a while, they take the shape of your feet and align to the way you walk. If you were to wear my shoes, you will not be comfortable in them. So I stopped wishing that I am in someone else's shoes because they might not fit. Rather I thank God for my shoes, because they fit!

I have learned to be the best in what I do, and I know no one can replace me anywhere. I am an original. God is not in the cloning business. He makes originals. Make the best of what you do. Besides, you have this beautiful life to live only once.

Live it to the fullest.

-- an anonymous author in Nigeria

"...........for in the image of God has God made man." Gen9:6

What's Up? I Love You!

Words That Feed Us

When we talk to one another, we often talk about what happened, what we are doing, or what we plan to do. Often we say, "What's up?" and we encourage one another to share the details of our daily lives.

But often we want to hear something else. We want to hear, "I've been thinking of you today," or "I missed you," or "I wish you were here," or "I really love you."

It is not always easy to say these words, but such words can deepen our bonds with one another.

Telling someone "I love you" in whatever way is always delivering good news. Nobody will respond by saying, "Well, I knew that already, you don't have to say it again"! Words of love and affirmation are like bread. We need them each day, over and over. They keep us alive inside.

Henri Nouwen Daily Meditation