Helping Hand

I'm enjoyed this so much, I had to share it. This Thanksgiving Day, be thankful for the little things in life...

The Hand
by David Langerfeld
November 20, 2007

Thanksgiving Day was near. The first grade teacher gave her class a fun assignment -- to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful.

Most of the class might be considered economically disadvantaged, but still many would celebrate the holiday with turkey and other traditional goodies of the season. These, the teacher thought, would be the subjects of most of her student's art. And they were.

But Douglas made a different kind of picture. Douglas was a different kind of boy. He was the teacher's true child of misery, frail and unhappy. As other children played at recess, Douglas was likely to stand close by her side. One could only guess at the pain Douglas felt behind those sad eyes.

Yes, his picture was different. When asked to draw a picture of something for which he was thankful, he drew a hand. Nothing else. Just an empty hand.

His abstract image captured the imagination of his peers. Whose hand could it be? One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers raise turkeys. Another suggested a police officer, because the police protect and care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds us. And so the discussion went -- until the teacher almost forgot the young artist himself.

When the children had gone on to other assignments, she paused at Douglas' desk, bent down, and asked him whose hand it was.

The little boy looked away and murmured, "It's yours, teacher."

She recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here or there, as she had the other students. How often had she said, "Take my hand, Douglas, we'll go outside." Or, "Let me show you how to hold your pencil." Or, "Let's do this together." Douglas was most thankful for his teacher's hand.

Brushing aside a tear, she went on with her work.

The story speaks of more than thankfulness. It says something about teachers teaching and parents parenting and friends showing friendship, and how much it means to the Douglases of the world. They might not always say thanks, but they'll remember the hand that reaches out.

"Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:24

"My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8

This Thanksgiving, thank God for all of the "hands" that have "touched" your life. Then, allow the Hand of God to reach out through your hands and touch the lives of others.

Smile

Have You Ever...?

Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for?

THAT'S GOD talking to you through the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to talk to?

THAT'S GOD wanting you to talk to Him.

Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you needed, but couldn't afford?

THAT'S GOD knowing the desires of your heart.

Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it was going to get better, how the hurting would stop, how the pain would ease, but now you look back on it.

THAT'S GOD passing us through tribulation to see a brighter day.

I See Jesus

Below is a short poem I received today. Very poignant.

I SEE JESUS
By Summer Waters age 11

I saw Jesus last week...

He was wearing blue jeans and an old shirt.

He was up at the church building; He was alone and working hard.

For just a minute he looked a little like one of our members.

But it was Jesus...

I could tell by his smile.

I saw Jesus last Sunday...

He was teaching a Bible class.

He didn't talk real loud or use long words, but you could tell he believed what he said.

For just a minute, he looked like my Bible teacher.

But it was Jesus...

I could tell by his loving voice.

I saw Jesus yesterday...

He was at the hospital visiting a friend who was sick.

They prayed together quietly.

For just a minute he looked like Brother Jones.

But it was Jesus...

I could tell by the tears in his eyes.

I saw Jesus this morning...

He was in my kitchen making my breakfast and fixing me a special lunch.

For just a minute he looked like my mom.

But it was Jesus...

I could feel the love from his heart.

I see Jesus everywhere...

Taking food to the sick...

Welcoming others to his home...

Being friendly to a newcomer...

& for just a minute, I think He's someone I know.

But it's always Jesus...

I can tell by the way he serves.

Go be Jesus to someone today! Someone's looking for you!

Let It Go

The other day, Michele and I were talking about my past experience as a manager. When I first started out, I did everything for my clients. I found employment opportunities for them. I helped them write songs. I helped them pick their roles. I even went so far as to create an entire vision for their careers, developed strategies for them to attain that vision, and then implemented that strategy on their behalf – what a manager is typically supposed to do.

However, since then, God has given me a new perspective. My original purpose in becoming a manager was to not only create opportunities for success for up-and-coming talent, but also to protect them – to protect them from the snakes in the grass who would try to harm them in the entertainment industry. What I’ve come to realize is that, in trying to protect them, I actually harmed them. My overprotective nature kept them from growing, from learning the business, from becoming more responsible for their own careers. Sort of like a parent, I spoiled them so much that they didn’t appreciate what hard work, commitment, and dedication really meant. I created a situation where they expected everything to be handed to them, where they wouldn’t really have to work for anything.

Not to say that they didn’t work. Of course, they wrote songs, they went to rehearsal, they performed. But what about the business side? Did they ever make a phone call on their own behalf? Did they ever have to search for their own opportunities? Did I give them too much too fast?

What I did in fact is keep them from experiencing the journey for themselves. My blog is called “Journal Your Journey,” but, in fact, my clients have little to journal for themselves. There’s something to be said about lessons that come from pain, from struggle, from strife, from hardship. It gives us wisdom, understanding, discernment, and makes us stronger. Babies don’t learn to walk unless they venture out. They may fall, they may stumble, but it’s all a learning process. It’s all to make them better.

So, in conclusion, I ask you today, is there an area in your life where you need to let go? Is there a person in your life whose growth you are stunting as a result of your overprotective nature? Sometimes, we have to let go in order for people to know that they can stand on their own two feet. If we don’t, we’re only hindering their ability to be the best that they can be.

God bless,

J.W.

Anointed Prayer

I received the following from my aunt. It's a very uplifting, inspiring, and anointed prayer that will hopefully remind you of the importance of keeping God first in your life. Like my aunt's e-mail said, "You never know when God is going to bless you!! Good things happen when you least expect them to!!!!"

So expect your blessing today as you enjoy this anointed prayer!

God bless,

James

Dear Lord,

I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all hurt, harm, and danger. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And give the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.

I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that don't believe. But I thank you that I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.

Amen.

Everything's Gonna Be Alright

Yesterday, I had the privilege of hearing excerpts from the new Alicia Keys' album entitled As I Am. (Note: for anybody who loves good, quality music and is tired of the mind-numbing trash that's played on popular radio nowadays, I suggest you pick up a copy or two of her album when it debuts on November 6, 2007). One of the new songs I heard was entitled "Everything's Gonna Be Alright," where she talks about love within romantic relationships. However, I felt the lyrics of the song were also an allegory for the world we live in today.

In the song, she talks about how, no matter what happens in our relationships, in the end, everything will be okay if the love remains strong. Similarly, in our lives, we can be assured that everything will be okay as long as our faith remains strong and we endure to the end. The Bible says that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Few things are certain in life, but the one thing that we can be certain of is God's promise that everything will work out in the end. But we can't give up before the fight is over. We have to endure the night to experience the morning joy. So no matter what the circumstances you may find yourself in right now, know that it has already been promised to you that everything will be okay. Hang in there and keep the faith until your change comes.

God bless,

J.W.