Self Expression

Here is your Tuesday STORY on: SELF DEVELOPMENT: Practice Makes Perfect! If we were an artist or an athlete, we could not expect to reach the top of our profession without practicing. To introduce good habits we need to practice them. As a consequence we become better with practice. This suggestion is nothing new, but we don't always apply these principles to our own life. We may apply it with reference to education from school, college or our workplace, but rarely will we practice to self develop the aspects of our mind related to the growth and development of wisdom. The very fact that you are reading this would suggest you are aiming to put that very observation and possible frailty correct. However we must not tap ourselves on the back just yet. QUOTE: "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." (Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr). An athlete would see the results of practice in the next race he ran. An artist would see the benefits in the next sale of his painting. A person who practices wisdom cannot see the results so readily. Yet be assured the value is enormous. The lady in the next story had a belief, a faith and a determination that her perseverance would benefit her personally. If you believe you will benefit from greater wisdom remember this story... DEPEND ON MIRACLES One Sunday morning I heard my minister say if you want result from prayer, pray for thirty days without ceasing. I didn't know why it was thirty days, but I was willing to give it a try. The following became my daily prayer: I am available, Lord, to be used by You each day. Guide me, precious Lord, and lead me in what I say and do. May my words and actions be a witness that You are living in me. To the one that is lonely, may I be a friend. To those with heavy burdens, help me to meet their needs. Lord, I do not want fame or fortune. My prayer is that You will use me to glorify your name. I know I don't have much to offer, but I will give You my all. Guide me to be what You want me to be. Amen On the twenty-first day of this prayer, CPR took on a new meaning for me. I was working an extremely busy twelve-hour night shift in Labour and Delivery. I had just sat down for my first break when a phone call came from my friend working in the Emergency Room. I barely recognized her urgent voice. An eighteen-year-old boy had been brought to the ER for alcohol and drug overdose. The young man was very close to death and they had done all they could do to help him. The father of this boy was requesting a priest or minister and they were having difficulty locating one that could come to the ER quickly. My friend stated, "We know you're a Christian and we need you to come and try to comfort this father. Please help." Reluctantly, I said I would come down. As I waited for the elevator my thoughts became very judgmental and frustration welled up inside me. Then I remembered the prayer I'd been praying. I walked into the ER and approached the father. Taking his hand, I silently led him to the chapel. Before I could even say, "I am not a minister, " this six-foot, two-hundred-twenty-pound man sank into the chair and became a broken hearted child. Through his non-stop sobbing he spoke, "Christian, pray for Raymond. I remember the first time I held my boy. I felt so proud and I just kept saying, 'I have a son.' As the years passed those tiny feet became bigger and walked away from his family's love and entered a strange, hardened, and destructive world. Tonight, too much alcohol and an overdose of drugs are taking his life. It's as though he wants to rebel against everything his family stood for. He knew what he was doing was wrong. Sometimes he seemed so afraid, but he wouldn't stop. Now it is too late. Christian, you have to pray for Raymond." Those large hands trembled in mine and as I looked into his eyes, I mourned with him. Silence fell between us, as I searched for the words that would comfort this crumbling tower of a man. I felt so inadequate. I wanted to scream, "Lord it has only been twenty-one days since I began that prayer! I am not ready for this!" Time was running out and I knew I couldn't stall any longer. I clutched his hands, now wet with tears, and began to pray. The words came easy, much to my surprise. I finished praying with him and went to Raymond's bedside. I took his cold, lifeless hand and once again began to pray. "Lord I am asking for a miracle and I know You can do it." I stayed with them both until Raymond was taken to Intensive Care. I visited Raymond on a daily basis and continued to pray for him. Eight days passed with little improvement. On the ninth day I entered the ICU and a miracle had taken place. Raymond was awake and talking with his father. CPR had taken on a new meaning for me: "Christian Pray for Raymond". As I left the ICU with tears falling down my face, I realized, today is the 30th day of my prayer. Now I not only believe in miracles, I depend on them. (Author Unknown). QUOTE: "A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug." (Patricia Neal).

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