SOUL FOOD


Dance like no one is watching,

Love like you'll never be hurt,

Sing like no one is listening,

Live like it's heaven on earth.

- William Purkey -


--ooOoo--


We often fear being rejected so very much that we reject ourselves first before anyone else has the chance.


--ooOoo--


So often when we pray, we find ourselves trapped in a vicious circle. Because we ask for nothing in particular, our prayers bring no results. Because we don't believe that anything will come from our praying anyway, we ask for nothing in particular. Hence, we live our lives saying only superficial prayer. The time has come for us to stop playing at prayer.

1. God won't ask what kind of fancy car you drove. He will ask how many people you took to church who didn't have transportation.

2. God won't ask the square footage of your house. He will ask how many people you helped who didn't have a house.

3. God won't ask how many fancy clothes you had in your closet. He will ask how many of those clothes you gave away to the Salvation Army.

4. God won't ask what social class you were in. He will ask what kind of "class" you displayed.

5. God won't ask how many material possessions you had. He will ask whether those material possessions dictated your life.

6. God won't ask what your highest salary was. He will ask if you trampled over any people to obtain that salary.

7. God won't ask how much overtime you worked. He will ask did you work overtime for your family.

8. God won't ask how many promotions you received. He will ask what you did to promote others.

9. God won't ask what your job title was. He will ask did you perform your job to the best of your ability.

10. God won't ask how many promotions you took to chase a peso bill He will ask how many promotions you refused to advance your family's quality of life.

11. God won't ask how many times you didn't run around on your spouse. He will ask how many times you did.

12. God won't ask how many degrees you had. He will ask how many people you thanked for helping you get those degrees.

13. God won't ask what your parents did to help you. He will ask what you did to help your parents.

14. God won't ask what you did to help yourself. He will ask what you did to help others.

15. God won't ask how many friends you had. He will ask how many people you were a friend to.

16. God won't ask what you did to protect your rights. He will ask what you did to protect the right of others.

17. God won't ask what neighborhood you lived in. He will ask what other neighborhoods you visited.

18. God won't ask how man times you told the truth. He will ask how many times you told a lie.

19. God won't ask about the color of your skin. He will ask about the color of your heart.

20. God won't ask how many times your deeds matched your words. He will ask how many times they didn't.


--ooOoo--


I ASKED FOR. . . .

I asked for strength, God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom, God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity, God gave me brawn and brain to work.

I asked for courage, God gave me dangers to overcome.

I asked for patience, God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait.

I asked for love, God gave me troubled people to help.

I asked for favors, God gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted, I received everything I needed.

MY PRAYERS HAVE ALL BEEN ANSWERED.

-Author Unknown-




THE BLESSING IN "NO"

I asked God to take away my pride. God said "No". It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said "No". Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. God said "No". Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it isearned.

I asked God to give me happiness. God said "No". I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain. God said "No". Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer tome.

I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said "No". You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. God said "No". I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as he loves me. God said... Ahhhh, finally you have the idea!


WHAT TO GIVE UP . . .

Give up complaining. . . . . . . .focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism. . . . . . . . . become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgements . . .think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry. . . . . . . . . . . . . trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement. . . . .be full of hope.

Give up bitterness. . . . . . . . . . turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred. . . . . . . . . . . . . return good for evil.

Give up negativism . . . . . . . . .be positive.

Give up anger. . . . . . . . . . . . . .be more patient.

Give up pettiness. . . . . . . . . . .become mature.

Give up gloom. . . . . . . . . . . . . .enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy. . . . . . . . . . . .pray for trust.

Give up gossiping. . . . . . . . . . .control your tongue.

Give up sin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . turn to virtue.

Give up giving up. . . . . . . . . . . hang in there!


Return to the Food for Thought Index