Monday; April 27

When I was 17-year-old, I agreed to do a job for someone … but, just never got around to it.  At the end of the summer, I headed off to college and failed to make good on my agreement.  (In fact, if I remember correctly, I think my Dad ended up doing the job for me – more of a credit to his work ethic than mine.)  Now, the reason I bring this event up some fifty years later is that this is one of my decisions that still embarrasses me.  Through the years, I have come to realize I didn’t live up to what I should have done and who I should have been.  While I still feel a twinge of guilt associated with this, I have to remind myself that I have become a better person and a harder worker since then.   When I am honest with myself, I believe my legacy will be defined by more than this mistake.

Is there something from your past that keeps nagging at you?  Did you make a mistake that you are still struggling with?  If so, let me ask a question – what will your legacy be:  your life’s work or that one foul up?  No, we should never dismiss our failures, but we shouldn’t define our lives by them either! 

Are you needing to move on from something in your past?  Maybe it is time that you give yourself the grace most other people would be willing to give you.

Think About It!

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday; May 27

Are you having a tough day today?  If so, why?  What has gotten you so wound up that you can’t relax and rejoice?  On those days when I have a bad day, I am finding that the cause is often something outside my control.  Maybe it is an argument between co-workers.  There are times it is a news story that has captured my attention.  As trivial as it seems, it might even be the fact that my favorite team is in a losing streak.  You know, there are times when it doesn’t seem to take much to suck the life out of me.  Now, while this may seem to be rather simplistic, I think there is some positive news.  You see, if it is something this simple that can make me feel bad, shouldn’t it also be true that something simple just might be able to pull me out of the doldrums.  If we are facing a bad day (not one of those terrible, horrible, no good very bad days … just a bad day), could it be that we just need something to turn it around?  As I wa...
Read more

Friday; May 30

Not long ago, I was watching a television program that featured an example of a satirical snippet of a religious discussion.  Upon reflection of their beliefs one person told the other, “I do not object to the concept of a deity, but I am baffled by the notion of one that takes attendance.”.  While this seems to smack in the face of traditional religion, in kind of a backwards way, I get it.  If we are going to worship an awesome God, why would we want to serve one who cares if we showed up on Sunday mornings?  In other words, if God is as great as He claims to be (which I believe He is) why would His ego need to be stroked by whether we (His creation) showed up to worship Him?  If He knows He is sovereign, why does He care what we think about Him?  Now hear me out on this … I am saying I understand the confusion – not that I agree with the rationale.  You see, while there is something to the concept of God’s creation honoring the God who created them,...
Read more

Tuesday; May 13

Today is a special day for me.  While the official Law Enforcement Memorial Day is May 15, the Law Enforcement Candlelight Vigil is traditionally held on the evening of May 13.  It is true that people from all around the country honor the Law Enforcement Community on the 15 th – and many people gather in our nation’s capital to mark the event – it is in the quiet somberness that I find the most heartfelt emotion.  People gather together on the National Mall to hear a roll call of the names of our heroes and light candles in unison to remember the sacrifice these officers made for their community.  Standing there with thousands of friends, families and fans of these often unsung heroes fills my heart with joy and my soul with sadness.  Every once in a while, I will hear the name of someone connected to me, but even if they are all strangers to me, there is a relationship.  I have been blessed to have a connection to the police world for thirty years now and...
Read more