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Life is good. Despite the hardships and heartaches of life, we can find joy in everyday living. The more we look for life’s simple blessings, the more we hope and the more we rise above the disheartening strains and sorrows of life. Life is good because of everyday moments that bring a smile or warm […]
Joe Fairbanks grew up in a family of nine children. Money was tight, and, like many in similar circumstances, he wore mostly hand-me-downs. But Joe was different from other children. He was born with Down syndrome, and as a result he had trouble with language. He often felt frustrated as he struggled to communicate. When […]
Sometimes we think we can’t help, give, or do because we can’t help, give, or do perfectly. Maybe we think our house isn’t clean enough to invite someone inside, or we can’t cook well enough to have someone over for dinner. Such feelings of inadequacy can become crippling. Not only do they keep us from […]
A deep commitment to something beyond ourselves is what gives meaning to life. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “If a man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”¹ What are you willing to give everything for? To many, our families, our children, inspire our greatest devotion. We teach and […]
The longer we live, the more we have occasion to attend the funerals of those who have been dear to us. During such memorial services, we are consoled by tributes to our departed loved ones. We listen to descriptions of their life, activities, and personality. These tributes are tender and sobering; they give us a […]
New beginnings can be invigorating. Just as a fresh blanket of snow changes the landscape into “unmarked territory,” calling out to little explorers with their sleds and snow boots, blank pages of a new calendar can give us a sense of opportunity, possibility, and even resolve. Whether beginning a new day, month, or even year, […]
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). Thus sang the herald angels to the humble shepherds in celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus. On that wondrous night in Bethlehem, the shepherds came from their fields to honor the Christ child. Later, they spread the […]
One hundred and sixty years ago, Hans Christian Andersen gave us the story of “The Little Match Girl,” which has become a beloved Christmas story. It is the tale of a poor little girl who was trying to sell matches to those who passed by on a cold, wintry street. Her family was destitute, and […]
With the advent of Christmas, we rejoice in good things to come. School children make red and green paper chains, counting down the days; grown-ups circle special events in their planners. Everyone seems to enjoy looking forward. Not knowing what lies behind the unopened door of an advent calendar brings a thrill of excitement that […]
Sometimes young people, while searching for the person they want to marry, become excited when they find someone who shares their interests, opinions, and tastes. “We have so much in common!” they exclaim, and on this basis they anticipate an idyllic life together, free of disagreement or discord. But it doesn’t take long for married […]
At this season of autumn and harvest, we count our many blessings and give thanks. Our thoughts turn to a thanksgiving and harvest festival celebrated four centuries ago by Pilgrims and Native Americans. You’re familiar with the story: The Pilgrims, new to this land, had survived their first winter in the New World; they had […]
Across an ocean, there is a cemetery built for Allied soldiers who died in World War II. It includes a memorial with an inscription that captures the sentiment of those who fought: “For your tomorrow we gave our today.” Similar words adorn a monument at Arlington National Cemetery, where others of our brave soldiers are […]
Winston Churchill, known for his bulldog tenacity and stirring oratory, is regarded as one of Britain’s greatest heroes and statesmen. But despite his achievements in the affairs of nations, Churchill’s more personal interactions showed signs of the strains of his heavy responsibilities. In those desperate days of World War II, Churchill’s wife, Clementine, wrote him […]
Great beauty is often forged in the crucible of affliction. If we look ahead with the eye of faith and never lose hope, we can emerge triumphant over even the most difficult trials. Examples of this abound in the inspiring African American spiritual. Sung by slaves, spirituals provided hope and eased the weariness and burden […]
More than seven decades ago, the editor of American Magazine received a letter from an ambitious young man asking, “Why should I be honest?” It’s a question that continues to echo down the generations. In a world that glorifies the pursuit of personal gain, why care about honesty and integrity? American Magazine asked its readers […]
What is a song? We may think of it as a pleasant combination of beautiful voices and music. But is it more than that? If we listen carefully, we can hear a special kind of music from unexpected sources—the everyday sounds of home, the natural sounds of the earth, or a simple expression of kindness. […]
A woman who had made some serious mistakes confided to a friend, “My life feels like an unfinished book. It had a good beginning. But now I wonder how it will all turn out in the end.” Her friend offered this insight: “A life story isn’t told in one chapter. And a book isn’t finished […]
Hope is born of knowing we are not alone, with no one to watch over us. As the Psalmist assured: “He that keepeth thee . . . shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper.”¹ How wonderfully reassuring it is to know that God, the Father of our souls, is in His heaven, […]
On the bookshelf of many a reader and romantic sit the novels of Jane Austen, celebrated British author. She died in 1817 at age 41 after facing months of ill health with remarkable faith and optimism. Her grave lies beneath the worn stone floor of the massive medieval cathedral in Winchester, England. Carved in stone […]
Compassion for others is vital to our well-being. To feel for others, to “walk in their shoes,” and to help when help is needed is the source of true happiness in life. The more we nurture such compassion, the more generosity of spirit we feel. Though we may doubt our own abilities, if we are […]
A parable is told about a merchant who searched the world for precious jewels and finally found the perfect pearl. He hired a craftsman to make a special box for the pearl so he could display it. The craftsman made an exquisite jewelry box with blue velvet lining, but much to the merchant’s dismay, people […]
Have you heard the story about Jason McElwain, the water boy and manager of a high school basketball team in Rochester, New York? It’s so remarkable that one is tempted to begin it with the words, “Once upon a time.” Jason was born with autism and didn’t speak until he was five years old. He […]
Our willingness to experience failure and make mistakes affects our ability to succeed. If we stand on the sidelines without trying, we may escape the heartache of defeat, but we’ll never know the joy of accomplishment. If we’re willing to stumble and sometimes even fall, we’ll learn, grow, and become strong. One hundred and forty […]
Every once in a long while, someone pens a poem that captures the hearts of a generation and then lives forever. John Gillespie Magee Jr. was one such uncommon poet. Early in World War II, 18-year-old John Magee enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He progressed quickly and soon became a pilot officer. One […]
For each of us, life has its share of pleasure and sorrow. Most of us prefer the pleasure, but we also need the wisdom, patience, and understanding that sorrow offers. Robert Browning Hamilton expressed it well in his poem “Along the Road”: I walked a mile with Pleasure;She chattered all the way,But left me none […]
There is a spirit that limits and shrivels the human soul whenever it remains unchallenged and unchecked. For want of better words, perhaps it could be called “the spirit of getting by”—of doing as little as possible, of giving as little as possible, of working as little as possible. With young people in school it […]
A thousand horses were entered in the show, and oh, how they could jump. The open-jumper class was the most anticipated event of the competition, and only the finest horses competed. But as the proud thoroughbreds paraded by, a hush fell over the crowd followed by laughter, for among the high-stepping aristocratic horses was what […]
Life is a journey. Very often, the most difficult journeys bring the greatest growth—and ultimately, the most joy. Today we remember an epic journey that began 150 years ago when several thousand handcart pioneers trudged more than a thousand miles, pushing and pulling wooden handcarts across the plains and over the Rocky Mountains to the […]
The story is told of a man who was busily working to install a new roof on his home. Suddenly he slipped and began to slide down the steep roof toward the edge. In desperation he cried out to heaven, “Save me and I’ll serve Thee all my days!” Just then his pants caught on […]
We all have our share of trials and tribulations, our share of joy and happiness. During the trying times, it’s easy to forget the joyful times. Life can certainly be hard, but it can also be full of hope and possibility if we keep trying, look for the good, and accentuate the positive. Look around […]