REPLICATE OR DUPLICATE
"I thought about the whole notion of “reproduction”, and what it really means to replicate yourself. Is it merely about the passing on of eyes and chins and hair color? Or is it, rather, the replication of the heart? Do we leave a bigger mark by passing on our genes, or our thoughts?” Shannon Woodwar, author of Inconceivable:Finding Peace in the Midst
Infertility”
WESLEY LAWERENCE GOECKNER (Our newest great-grandchild) #6
My oldest grandson is so much like his grandfather. I see many of the characteristics of my favorite aunt in my daughter. My oldest granddaughter thinks like her father. In different situations, people have indicated that both of my granddaughters look like me or like each other. Is that true? Who can say? Much like beauty, it is often in “the eyes of the beholder”. One grandchild probably thinks and reacts to things much like I do. I don’t always understand one grandson’s initial reaction, but his deep-down thoughts are good and reflect his parents’ beliefs.
I want to believe that each of these grandchildren will take my attitude towards life and my faith in God to become even stronger and better individuals because of what I have passed on to them. Physical characteristics have very little importance in the overall scheme of God’s plan. God’s gift to us is His Son and our gift to the world around us is to show that love and leave that mark. The mark we leave in this world (whether on our children or the children of the world) is important only if it is the mark of love and God’s Word in the heart of those we are allowed to influence.
As a footnote to the opening thought: It might be interesting to note that two of those grandchildren are biological grandchildren and two of them are adopted grandchildren. And even those who know us cannot always tell which child is the replication of my heart and which is the replication of my physical body. My desire is that "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy" in my heart it will be duplicated over and over in theirs. And if that happens then I have left the biggest mark I can leave on my children and my grandchildren whether they be biological or of the heart.
MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Today is Monday and as usual on Monday, I begin to think about what I want to accomplish this week. I pray each morning before I get out of bed that God will give me opportunities to serve; however, even when He does, I don't always recognize them. I wrote this devotion one morning after we had been to church. I have returned to it many times as a reminder to myself to do God' s work when He offers it. I may not get a second opportunity to serve that person. My prayer for all who read this is that you would seize the opportunity to serve the first time you meet it and not pass it by for another time.
Read Matthew 25:34-40 “Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (James 1:4 NIV)
On our way to church this morning we turn the corner , and I notice her surrounded by what appears to be all her worldly possessions. The gentle Florida breeze ruffles her gray hair and she moves her wheelchair to the edge of the sidewalk as a pedestrian passes. “Oh my, how sad!” I murmur as we drive on to our regular place of worship. I sing; I pray. I participate in the Communion and read God’s word. But her face intrudes into my personal worship. I resolve that on the way home, we will stop and offer her some comfort and help.
We drive our same path home. She is gone. My opportunity to do something is gone. I have been so busy “playing Christian” that I have bypassed someone who needed love—God’s love. Jesus’ said “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me” (Matt: 25:40) I had not “done” anything for the “least” of God’s children. “Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”(James 1:4) Today I had sinned again.
PRAYER: O Lord forgive me. Help me to practice the true religion of giving love and aid to those less fortunate than I. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY When God creates an opportunity we must act. It may not return.
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ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
It’s a New Year! And we so often think of all the new things we are going to do. I will be 86 in April so I can’t find many new “things” to do. 😊 I have had more than one occupation. I have traveled to all the states and a few countries. I have raised children and grandchildren and now great-grandchildren. I have been married to the same man for 68 years in May. (I don’t want a new husband😊)God has been good to me, and I am thankful for health and good mind.
And as I thought of “new” in 2023, I realized there are still many new things left for me to do. Technology is always changing, and I am very interested in learning new things about my computer and the internet. I share these thoughts to introduce what I have decided will be my NEW thing this year. My ATTITUDE!!!
It isn’t that I have such a bad attitude, but it certainly could be much better. I can be negative about a new idea. (I use the excuse of old age). I can excuse my attitude about our country because it certainly isn’t what it should be. However, I don’t want to live in any other country. I try not to judge young people. But I don’t think I will ever understand the price for a pair of holey, torn jeans. They wear them to church☹ But I love their enthusiasm and I thank God they are sitting beside on Sunday. And I can make a long list of my bad attitude mindsets. So, this year that’s my goal.
Now all this personal confession is to encourage you to move in the same direction. Our world, our country, our town and our families would all benefit if each of us could live the day with a more positive attitude.
