Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. – Thomas A. Edison

This sentiment runs throughout history. Stories of people who gave up when success was just around the corner. Times when everything seemed the darkest but the light was right around the corner.

It’s always darkest right before the dawn.

I’m guessing most of us having something like this in our lives right now.

We are starting an exercise regimen, but it just seems like too much time to keep going.

We have been saving and sticking to a budget but then a big expense comes up.

We have been working hard and making progress but then our biggest client leaves.

There are these points in life when we have to decide to bear down and make it through it. Success lies on the other side of these moments.

Take courage in this thought this morning. Success lies on the other side of whatever difficulty you are now facing.

Make it a great day.

Jake

People only see what they are prepared to see. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our perspective matters.

Most of us have a heightened awareness when it comes to the negative.

We’re quick to notice when things don’t go our way.

To notice the areas of life where we fall short.

Thank God that we are capable of reprogramming that kind of thinking.

Try it out today.

If you’re already good at it, take it up a notch.

Notice all the good around you.

Take note of the wonder all around you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

A man is what he thinks about all day long. – Ralph Waldo Emerson    
Monday morning reminder – watch your thoughts.
Just because you think it – doesn’t mean it’s true.
We become what we think about. Fill your thoughts with good.
Make it a great day.
Jake

https://youtu.be/nJq7J2uzSlc?si=cARvO7SVKmp4u4AK

Annie has spent the last couple of week practicing and performing her flute in the local production of Guys and Dolls.

We’re often admonished on both sides for “rocking the boat”.

We’re encouraged to break from the status quo and change things up.

We’re encouraged to not change things that have always been and to stick with what works.

Life is full of choices like this. To rock the boat or not.

Andy Stanley suggests asking yourself “What would a wise man do?” in response to these situations.

Wisdom can be sought after and used to know when to change things up and when to stick with it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. – Lao Tzu

Reading this quote I imagined a meandering creek or river, lazily taking its time moving water from one place to another.

This week, work to hurry less.

Take a deep breath.

Relax your body.

Take the time to do it right the first time.

Make it a great day.

Jake

He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough. – Lao Tzu

The endless pursuit of more and better stuff is bad news bears….

It’s not good for you on the soul level.

Stop it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – Sorry for the old man rant. This is probably mostly a message/reminder for myself.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20

This line from the story of the prodigal son stuck out to me on a podcast I listened to recently.

The prodigal son had to take the first step – to admit he was better off in his father’s house and to head that way.

But his father saw him “while he was still a long way off” and went to him. The father met him more than halfway.

Our Father in heaven wants to do the same for us.

The first step is up to us. We must admit that we are better off in His house.

I believe this principle works in other areas too. Take the first step and you’ll be met more than halfway, most of the time.

Monday is a great day for first steps.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/NADx3-qRxek?si=2wUEVM8uN30QjKyx

One of the greatest blessings in my life is that I was lucky enough to meet Meaghan at a relatively young age.

Tomorrow marks our 23rd anniversary and I still frequently think something along the lines of “God only knows where I’d be without you”.

Hard to speculate what would be different – but I know for certain it would be worse.

I have never once come up with a version where things would be better.

It’s likely we all have people in our lives who fall into this category – God only knows where we’d be without them.

Come up with somebody who made that kind of impact in your life and tell them – today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist. – Indira Gandhi

In order to experience life’s blessings we have to be open to them.

We miss out on so much when we have our fists clenched.

I’m sure we all have a story about some hurt or transgression that caused the clenched fist.

And I wouldn’t suggest we should be open to all the experiences that come our way (should probably skip trying cocaine…).

A little wisdom would go a long way here – choose carefully, but be open to the good that might come your way.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. – Psalm 37:23-24

I was listening to a podcast yesterday and they were talking about this verse.

I immediately had the picture of walking with the kids when they were really little.

Imagine a little kid holding their parents while they walk over rocks or in the woods or something.

They are constantly tripping, unstable and in need of their parents hand to “uphold their hand”.

Often they beg to let go of that hand immediately fall headlong into the rocks, brush, etc.

For those of us who are Christians – what a great way to picture walking with God.

We also have relationships in our lives that lift us up like this.

We weren’t meant to spend our lives constantly falling headlong into the rocks. We were meant to walk together, holding hands and keeping ourselves from falling.

If you aren’t holding somebody’s hand – reach out!

Make it a great day.

Jake