while it is called today

Today, while it is called today ...
Contimplating:  The opportunity and impact of one day.  The potential and impact of one life. 

today/one day - if one day was all I (or all you had left):  I can not do everything I want to do.  I can not have 25 3 hour lunches, nor travel to four of more states and even more cities to have meaningful conversations.  I can not catch up on all my work so that I leave no hardship or mess for others to take care of.  Could I spend every minute soundly and passionately explaining what and why I believe about Jesus Christ as the only way of eternal salvation?  How could I make sure they knew I love them?  How could I make sure they know that God loves them?  What can I do that will leave a lasting impact?  What can I do that will leave an eternal impact for good?  Not being especially gifted, rather being a woman jack of many trades, not aspiring to great literary, scientific, artistic, or social political greatness, but there are simple things of LOVE lived out well that I aspire to; little moments of kindness and fully engaged interactions that I know make a difference.

If live ONLY for today, then I neglect the important impact of the cumulative impact of many small things done faithfull and well.   Like how doing our best to take care of our health by making good food choices, being active, and resting; how that adds up to more energy and fitness a much better chance to be well into my later years.  All those potential opportunities are sown by the cumulative affect of small daily commitments.  Like dusting and oiling a piece of wood furniture preserves it to last, there are many little things both physically practical and relational.  But it is MORE than just that, it is not neglecting the little things like a smile when we are busy, or sharing with someone the joyful beauty of the sunrise we saw the other day, or listening with our full heart and attention when someone speaks to us, all these things add up too.

Many of Mother Teresa words of encouragement and wisdom hit right to the center of my heart and so I think that if I am to be true to my "best self" than I should passionately live to make the kind of difference that comes by way of the small things. Today, while it is still called today, I strive to do these little things, trusting that they will add up (especially with God's help) to a life lived well and with purpose that made a lasting difference, just because of little things and because of love.

Quotes by Mother Teresa:

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin."

"Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your own weakness."

"Little things are indeed little, but to be faithful in little things is a great thing."

"Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action."

"Let us make one point, that we meet each other with a smile, when it is difficult to smile. Smile at each other, make time for each other in your family. "

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."

"A clean heart is a free heart. A free heart can love Christ with an undivided love in chastity, convinced that nothing and nobody will separate it from his love."

"I pray that you will understand the words of Jesus, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Ask yourself “How has he loved me? Do I really love others in the same way?” Unless this love is among us, we can kill ourselves with work and it will only be work, not love. Work without love is slavery."

MORE WORDS OF MOTHER TERESA
http://www.ewtn.com/motherteresa/words.htm


Finishing my thoughts...

There is so much good to do; so many many "right" and good things to be done, just today.. I need to not be overwhelmed but to make wise choices. As Andy Stanley would say," in light of my past experiences, my current situation, and my hopes for the future". Or as I would say to write my life story as I hope it will be told when I am not here any longer.





published March 13, 2012 am