As I sit here this morning on this beautiful, chilly, sunny, spring Sunday morning in Indiana (picture above from spring break in Florida) I am excited for a new day. There are many instances where it is very easy to get caught up with the things that have happened in our past. One of the quotes that we use a lot with our basketball team is play the next play. In life I think that equates to moving on past our adversities. We all encounter different struggles on a daily basis, and how we handle those struggles moving forward is very important to our outlook. I also believe that we should be very cautious about how we move forward after a big success. Many times when we experience success we feel that we have arrived, and that is not always the case. As a matter fact, I believe that as soon as we think we have arrived that will start the downfall of our outlook. In other words we need to keep ourselves focused on what is in front of us. This can be a very difficult thing to do because of human nature. When we do something good it is very easy to celebrate and become overconfident. Confidence is good as we move to our next task but we cannot let it over consume us. I hope that each of you is able to focus on what is yet to come. I realize that the struggles and challenges for each of us is different, however, we all have the ability to focus and be excited for what is in front of us. On this Sunday I keep these people in my thoughts and prayers: my mother-in-law who is battling cancer, Tiffany Thompson who is healing from brain surgery, Christian Snyder who is also battling cancer, Josh Spidel and his family as they continue their battle, and anyone who is struggling with grief pain or sorrow. I hope on this beautiful Sunday you are able to Focus on what is ahead of you and enjoy the great plan that God has made for you. This morning I ask this prayer. Dear God, thank you for this day, thank you for the many wonderful blessings that you have given to us. I pray that you are able to give us strength, the ability to focus on our future, and live each day to its fullest. Please empower us to help others, allow us to be humble, and to serve those around us. Also Lord please allow us to understand that our past sins can be forgiven, allow us to not hold a grudge against others and allow us to move forward in a positive way. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
