St. Stephen's Episcopal Church - 1070 Dutch Road, Fairview, Pennsylvania 16415  - Phone 814-474-5490 -  Fax 814-474-3737 

Dance Like No One’s Watching

            We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another.  Then we are frustrated that the kids aren’t old enough and we’ll be more content when they are.  After that, we’re frustrated that we have a teenager to deal with, we will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.

            We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.  The truth is, there’s no better time to be happy than right now, if not now, when?

            Your life will always be filled with challenges.  It’s best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.  One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred Souza.  He said, “For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin -- real life.  But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid.  Then life would begin.  At last it dawned to me that these obstacles were my life.”

            This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way, so, treasure every moment that you have.  And treasure it more because you can share it.  Treasure each person, as a special gift, enough to spend your time with.

            So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you’ve had a drink, until you’ve sobered up, until you die, until you are born again, to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.  Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

E-mail from God

As you got up this morning, I watched you and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday but I noticed you were to busy trying to find the right outfit to put on and wear to work. I waited again.

When you ran around the house getting ready I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy. At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip.

I watched as you went to work and I waited patiently all day long. With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me. I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn't bow your head. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn't. That's okay.

There is still more time left, and I have hope that you will talk to me yet you went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done you turned on the TV, I don't know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there & you spent a lot of time each day in front of it, not thinking about anything - just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal but again you didn't talk to me.

Bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That's okay because you may not realize that I am always there for you. I've got patience more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well. I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation.

Well you are getting up again and once again I will wait with nothing but love for you hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a nice day! Your friend, GOD

The Writing on the Wall

A  weary mother returned from the store,
Lugging groceries through the  kitchen door.
Awaiting her arrival was her 8 year old son,
Anxious to relate what his younger brother had done.

While I was  out playing and Dad was on a call,
T.J. took his crayons and wrote on  the wall!
It's on the new paper you just hung in the den.
I  told him you'd be mad at having to do it again."

She let out a moan  and furrowed her brow,
"Where is your little brother right  now?"
She emptied her arms and with a purposeful  stride,
She marched to his closet where he had gone to  hide.

She called his full name as she entered his room.
He  trembled with fear--he knew that meant doom!
For the next ten minutes,  she ranted and raved
About the expensive wallpaper and how she had  saved.

Lamenting all the work it would take to repair,
She  condemned his actions and total lack of care.
The more she scolded,  the madder she got,
Then stomped from his room, totally  distraught!

She headed for the den to confirm her fears.
When  she saw the wall, her eyes flooded with tears.
The message she read  pierced her soul with a dart.
It said, "I love Mommy,"  surrounded by a heart.

Well, the wallpaper remained, just as she found  it,
With an empty picture frame hung to surround it.
A  reminder to her, and indeed to all,
Take time to read the handwriting on the  wall

Author Unknown

What I've Learned:

I've learned that I like my teacher because she cries when we sing "Silent
Night." Age 6

I've learned that you can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk. Age
7

I've learned that when I wave to people in the country, they stop what they
are doing and wave back. Age 9

I've learned that just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom makes me
clean it up. Age 13

I've learned that if you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering
someone else up. Age 14

I've learned that although it's hard to admit it, I'm secretly glad my
parents are strict with me. Age 15

I've learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice.
Age 24

I've learned that brushing my child's hair is one of life's great pleasures.
Age 26

I've learned that wherever I go, the world's worst drivers have followed me
there. Age 29

I've learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so
that no one will believe it. Age 39

I've learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don't know
how to show it. Age 41

I've learned that you can make some one's day by simply sending them a
little card. Age 44

I've learned that the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his
need to cast blame on others. Age 46

I've learned that children and grandparents are natural allies. Age 47

I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life
does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
Age 48

I've learned that singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours. Age
49

I've learned that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the
phone. Age 50

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these
three things: a rainy day, lost luggage,
and tangled Christmas tree lights. Age 52

I've learned that keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine cabinet
full of pills. Age 52

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you
miss them terribly after they die. Age 53

I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.
Age 58

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. Age 62

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both
hands. You need to be able to throw
something back. Age 64

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you
focus on your family, the needs of
others, your work, meeting new people, and doing the very best you can,
happiness will find you. Age 65

I've learned that whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make
the right decision. Age 66

I've learned that it pays to believe in miracles. And to tell the truth,
I've seen several. Age 73

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. Age 82

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People
love that human touch - holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on
the back. Age 85

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. Age 92

I've learned that you should pass this on to someone you care about.
Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile.

THE CRACKED POT

    A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

    For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

    "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?" "I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

    The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

    Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

    The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?

    That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.

    For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

    Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table.  In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste.

    So as we seek ways to minister together, and as God calls you to the tasks He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and allow Him to take advantage of them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His pathway.

    Go out boldly, knowing that in our weakness we find His strength, and that "In Him every one of God's promises is a Yes."

The Fork

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with cancer and had been given 3 months to live. Her Dr. told her to start making preparations to die (something we all should be doing all of the time.) So she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she wanted read, and what she wanted to be wearing. The woman also told her pastor that she wanted to be buried with her favorite bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing." She said excitedly. "What's that?" came the pastor's reply. "This is very important." The woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The pastor stood looking at the woman not knowing quite what to say. "That shocks you doesn't it? "The woman asked. "Well to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.

The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and functions where food was involved (and let's be honest, food is an important part of any church event; spiritual or otherwise); my favorite part was when whoever was clearing away the dishes of the main course would lean over and say 'you can keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming. When they told me to keep my fork, I knew that something great was about to be given to me.

It wasn't Jell-O or pudding. It was cake or pie. Something with substance. So I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Something better is coming so keep your fork too.'"

The pastor's eyes were welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite bible and the fork placed in her right hand.

Over and over the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled. During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her.

The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.

So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently that there is something better coming.

Keep your fork. The best is yet to come.

AND GOD SAID, "NO"

I asked God to take away my pride, and God said, "No."

He said it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole, and God said, "No."

He said his spirit is whole. His body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience, and God said, "No."

He said that patience is a by-product of tribulation. It isn't granted, it's earned.

I asked God to give me happiness, and God said, "No."

He said he gives blessings. Happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain, and God said, "No."

He said, "Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to Me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow, and God said, "No."

He said I must grow on my own, but He will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked God if He loves me, and God said, "Yes."

I asked God to help me love others as much as He loves me.

And God said, "Ah, finally, you have the idea."

 ROCKS

A while back I was reading about an expert on subject of time management.

One day this expert was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration I'm sure those students will never forget. After I share it with you, you'll never forget it either.

As this man stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz." Then he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed mason jar and set it on a table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?"

Everyone in the class said, "Yes."

Then he said, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. Then he smiled and asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?"

By this time the class was onto him. "Probably not," one of them answered. "Good!" he replied. And he reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in and it went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?"

"No!" the class shouted. Once again he said, "Good!" Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and

began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked up at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?"

One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how

full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some more things into it!"

"No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all."

The title of this letter is The "Big Rocks" of Life. What are the big rocks in your life? A project that YOU want to accomplish? Time with your loved ones? Your faith, your education, your finances? A cause? Teaching or mentoring others?

Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all.

So, tonight or in the morning when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the "big rocks" in my life or business?

Then, put those in your jar first.