Years ago I read this powerful quote:

    “Two men looked out from prison bars, one saw the mud, the other saw the stars.”-Frederick Langbridge.

 

I am struck by its utter simplicity.

    By the powerful truth.

We all have that choice, don’t we?

What do we see when we look around?

Do we see glimpses of the holy?

   Or constant reminders of the fallen nature of man?

Do we see potential for good?

     Or do we see countless reminders of failure and hopelessness?

 

It’s a choice that we all must make.

Day after day. Hour after hour.

It is true that some personalities are more prone to see life as half full

    rather than half empty.

But still the choice is ours.

And how we choose makes a world of difference in what we not only see but what we continue to see.

 

This morning I went out for a nice run. It was a joy, not an every day routine for this single parent/homeschool teacher/professional.

Years ago I would have noted my time and run for the sheer pleasure of seeing how fast I could go.

But today my time is not that important.

The length that I go is not the main issue.

No, I only look to have joy in the run

    And today I did.

Birds were singing melodious praises

   And puffy white clouds dotted the brilliant blue morning sky.

I found myself listening and looking,

    Praising and pondering

      The gifts that surround me on every side.

By the time I came home my heart was full to overflowing.

Guess I will never be a serious runner

    But I glimpsed a touch of heaven in that run today

         And it will linger in my heart for a long time.

How about you?

What do you see all around you?

Stars or mud?

How about looking for the stars in the midst of the mundane and ordinary?

You were made to glorify and give praise.

Take some time today to look for the stars and to celebrate another day

  To live,

      To laugh,

         And to love.

And let me know what you experienced.

Have a glorious weekend, dear friends.