Tag Archive for: choice

Profanity

Walking through the town centre on my way home yesterday, I certainly had a rude awakening to one part of society I haven’t missed at all, profanity.

It was just awful and I found it so very, very sad.

Over the course of less than 100 metres or so, my ears were filled with several expletives from young and old as they caught up face to face for the first time in a while.  I actually found it depressing, and felt assaulted by it. As a Christian, I cannot understand why any human being chooses to use the name of deity with such disrespect.

Is it ever okay to swear?

Worryingly – blasphemy, cursing, the use of obscenities and vulgar talk is everywhere, the use of foul and abusive language has reached epidemic proportions.

Recently I stumbled across a quote that summed it up for me perfectly – “Profanity is the effort of a feeble mind trying to express itself forcefully.” Spencer W. Kimball.

We expose ourselves with our speech.

You will recall that Shakespeare urged in King Lear, “Mend your speech a little, lest it may mar your fortunes.” (act 1, sc.1,line 96.) Some may disagree and argue its only words.

My invitation – lets use self mastery and self control in our language to build, to edify, to uplift, to enlighten, to appreciate and to motivate.

Becoming

Changes in life have been many recently: good and bad, sudden and progressive, minor and major. Many have dealt with being furloughed, losing a loved one, or being isolated at home. Dealing with change is an inseparable part of life’s journey.
I recall some years ago learning a story about little acorns. Just like a giant oak tree produces little acorns, so an acorn may 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 an oak tree. But, not all acorns become oak trees, only those who break through their hardened shells and reach for the sky.
Similarly – in these difficult times are you reaching upwards, moving forward, seizing opportunities for new experiences and growth. Or are you wallowing in the mire of self pity, and like some little acorns, forgetting what you can become?
This time of enforced solitude is a tremendous opportunity for self reflection, learning and growth.
Little acorns have all the qualities of giant oaks, they just need time to grow. Opposition, challenge and difficulty are part of growth. It takes time, effort, perseverance, set-backs will be inevitable and adaptation certain. This is the process of life.
Don’t forget “The best way to treat obstacles is to use them as stepping stones. Laugh at them, tread on them and let them lead you to something better.” Enid Blyton
In these challenging times, remember who you are and what you can become.

Are you OK?

How are you coping? Are you OK?

Whilst out for my exercise allowance yesterday, I really appreciated our local beauty spot, known in our neighbourhood as “the Glen.” As I was admiring the charm of nature, my thoughts drifted into thinking about all of the material possessions I had accumulated in life. All those things I had worked so hard to acquire….. just did not matter at all.

A scripture from Matthew 6, ran through my mind “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal….For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.”

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁? 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁?

I recognised very quickly that 𝗮𝗹𝗹 that 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 matters is our family and relationships with others. Previously, I have recorded many thoughts about ownership and stewardship. We own very little and yet are stewards over much.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂?

These times of peril and adversity have a way of refocusing our priorities. The trials, hardships, difficulties and challenges of today 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 pass. How we choose how to act each day, will impact upon our family and personal relationships for generations to come. Please consider this counsel from a wise leader – Dieter F. Uchtdorf when he said “Why, then, do we devote so much of our time and energy to things that are so fleeting, so inconsequential, and so superficial? Do we refuse to see the folly in the pursuit of the trivial and transient?”

In these challenging times consider once again what really matters most, where does your treasure lie?