This is the second of a series of Matthew Kelly quotes. He too, appears to be hooked on life’s lessons.
“Dedicate yourself above all else to becoming the-best-version-of-yourself. It is the best thing you can do for your spouse, your children, your friends, your colleagues, your employees, your employer, your church, your nation, the human family, and yourself.”
― Matthew Kelly, The Rhythm of Life: Living Everyday With Passion and Purpose
Matthew Kelly. You will get to know that name because now that I have discovered him I am going to post several of his quotes over the next few days. Matthew is an Australian author of many books, one of which is The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose, from whence I chose today’s quote.
“For the day we accept that we have chosen to choose our choices is the day we cast off the shackles of victimhood and are set free to pursue the lives we were born to live. Learn to master the moment of decision and you will live a life uncommon.”
― Matthew Kelly,
Like most quotes, scriptures, poems, essays and books, we only derive the message they impart by delving into the meaning…almost word for word. This quote is power packed!
Someone, somewhere, is turning eighty today. This post is to celebrate you…or someone you know!
TODAY I AM 80
Today, dear Lord, I’m 80 and there’s so much I haven’t done, I hope and pray you’ll let me live until I’m 81.
But then, if I haven’t finished all that I want to do, would you let me stay a little while, until I’m 82?
So many places I want to go, so very much to see; do you think you could manage to let me make 83?
The world is changing very fast, there is so much in store, I’d like it very much if I could live to 84.
And if by then it happens that I am still alive, I’d really like to stay around until I’m 85.
There’ll be more planes up in the air, and more problems to be fixed, so I’d like to be around to see it all when I am 86.
I know, dear Lord, it’s much to ask (for it must be nice in heaven), but I’d really like to stay right here until I’m 87.
I know by then I won’t be fast, and sometimes I’ll be late, but it would be so pleasant to be around at 88.
I will have seen so many things and had a wonderful time, so, I’m willing to wait to leave this world at the age of 89. (maybe).
Just one more thing I’d like to say; dear Lord, I thank you kindly, but if it’s okay with you, I’d love to live past 90.
Anonymous
It isn’t always apparent where material for a blog will come from. Today’s came from a post on Facebook last Friday that stood out because it was highlighted in yellow. It was an excerpt from a book with no title given; just a single highlighted paragraph, and here it is:
The people we surround ourselves with either raise or lower our standards. They either help us to become the-best-version-of-ourselves or encourage us to become lesser versions of ourselves. We become like our friends. No man becomes great on his own. No woman becomes great on her own. The people around them help to make them great. We all need people in our lives who raise our standards, remind us of our essential purpose, and challenge us to become the-best-version-of-ourselves.
Upon doing a little research I discovered that this quote is from one of many books written by a forty-four-year-old Australian author, Matthew Kelly. However the title of the book was not revealed. Matthew Kelly has written many other quotable quotes and I will mention one or two later.
But let’s take a look at this particular one. I agree with the first sentence except for letting someone lower my standards. The second sentence leaves me wondering how we would let someone encourage us to be lesser versions of ourselves. Continuing on, if we become like our friends, hopefully it would be the friends that we admire, the ones who live kind, courteous, sincere, helpful lives. No, we don’t become great on our own. We become great by emulating the best qualities of great people and by ridding ourselves of our own idiosyncrasies that keep us from being the best we can be; somewhat like separating the wheat from the chaff.
We do need people who raise our standards but that can only be achieved by being open to what is being offered in that regard. We do need to be reminded of our essential purpose which is to live the golden rule; do to others as you would have them do to you…not as they do to you , but as you would have them do to you. That is such a profound statement and can only be lived by reflecting on its true meaning. Finally, it is up to us to accept the challenge to become the-best-version-of-ourselves. We all know what that version is and must strive for it continually.
And now more Matthew Kelly quotes:
“In fact, the more each person can remove his or her ego from the discussion and focus on the subject matter, the more fruitful the conversation will be for all involved.”
“Withholding love is a bit like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
Sometimes certain prayers will resonate with us more than others. Our associate pastor, Monica McClure, gave such a prayer yesterday and I’d like to share it with you, with her permission. It not only touches on Family Day but our world issues which certainly need much prayer.
Prayers of the People
Abba Father, As a people who dwell in the shelter of the Most high, we praise you for being our refuge. Lord, there is safety for us in the shelter of your wings. We thank you for our mountain top experiences of your grace which have strengthened our faith and given us hope for the future.
As we continue to walk with you on life’s journeys…through the valleys as well as on the mountain tops…draw near to us so that that we might dwell forever in your presence.
Generous God, you have blessed us with life. You have placed us in families giving us a place to call home.
On this family day weekend we think about our own families. We thank you for our parents who gave us life, our family members who have shared and enriched our lives and with whom we share many memories…
We thank you Heavenly Father for setting the solitary in families. But, we are also mindful that for some of us the word “Family” brings mixed emotions or heartache…some of us have experienced much pain within our family relationships…People who should have loved us and cared for us have failed us…Some of us feel the pain of abandonment, of abuse, of neglect…of heartbreaking loss, the pain of disappointed hopes and missed expectations, the pain of alienation from loved ones. Have mercy on us Lord, and minister to us your healing grace even in the messiness of our family relationships.
Father, today we pray for those who long to be married and have their own children…for childless couples who long to be parents…hear and answer the desires and prayers of their hearts. We pray for those that are in the midst of parenting infants, children, and young people. Give them wisdom, courage and stamina in raising their children to be well-adjusted citizens of the world, with a real desire to love and serve you.
We thank you for our St. Andrew’s church family today…another family to which we belong…one branch of the body of Christ…with almost 200 years of family history! Remind us of our commitment as a church to provide for and participate in the spiritual nurture of our children and young people. Continue to bless us, encourage us and keep us faithful to your call to share the good news of Jesus with everyone.
Prince of Peace, we continue to lift up the needs of our own broken world in the turmoil that surrounds us…We ask you to give wisdom, discernment and courage to elected representatives in government. We pray for people who are very anxious about what the future holds for them. For those who feel powerless to effect decisions that will have a direct impact on their lives. Remind us, that although we do not know what the future holds we know that you hold the future…and give us your peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN
Pastor Monica McClure
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Scarborough
February 19th, 2017
Spring is coming! Sometimes it’s just the perfect day to set all things right. May this Sunday be that day for all of us.
Yesterday’s lesson was about obstacles and finding riches; today’s is about giving in this last of the internet series of some of life’s lessons.
Giving When it Counts – Many years ago when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, “Yes, I’ll do it if it will save her.” As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away?” Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
Okay, so yesterday’s lesson was remembering those who serve. Today it is about obstacles as you will see in this internet series of life’s lessons.
The Obstacles in our Path – In ancient times a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. The he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse laying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
Tomorrow: Giving When it Counts
So now you’ve read about the cleaning lady, Mrs. Nat King Cole and today it is about another lesson learned on the internet.
Always Remember Those Who Serve – In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. “How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked. “Fifty cents,” replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. “Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. “Thirty-five cents,” she brusquely replied. The little boy counted his coins. “I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn’t have the sundae because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
Tomorrow: The Obstacle in our Path
Yesterday’s internet lesson was about a cleaning lady. Today it is:
Pickup in the Rain – One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960’s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man’s door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. It read: “Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.” Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.
Tomorrow – Remembering Those Who Serve
My Precious Life 