A thought I found from last year...

You know in life we tend not to appreciate what we have until it is taken away from us. I didn’t realise how lucky I was until I moved. Before I moved I had an amazing church, awesome friends and a great school. One of my best friends Jane was such a blessing to me. I miss you so much – you are like a sister to me and I miss our chats, hugs, “raping” sessions on the wall and just pointless laughter. You brightened up my life so much and I cannot thank you enough. Everyone at St.Andrews has helped me in so many ways, if it’s just by smiling or giving me a hug.

We can bless so many people by just being there before we are taken away. I have come to realise that since I moved. Sure I didn’t want to move but I know in my heart of hearts God has a plan for me here. There are people here who need my help and for Jesus’ sake I will serve.

Please don’t take your life for granted – it can be taken away so quickly. It can be hard to accept new lifestyles, but there is always a reason for your being – don’t let it go to waste. Serve God with all your heart.

Even if you are a non-Christian you can make a difference. Someone may need to be shown some love, if so show it to them. There are so many ways to be different, to stand out. Smile to people, hug those who are suffering. Talk to those who feel alone, feed the hungry, and give drinks to the thirsty. Live a life that will influence others and remember to be thankful for what you have today for come tomorrow it could be gone.

Ben Cantelon (a Canadian Christian singer/songwriter) wrote:

“You are strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”

Let us be that bright hope. We can make a difference to this world. Let us be the generation that brings change – not the one who just wanders through life. William Wilberforce had a dream. His dream was for slave trade in Britain to be abolished. Year in year out he fought for his dream, and then in 1807 slave trade was abolished in Britain. But it wasn’t until the 26th July 1833 that slavery was abolished in this country. Three days before Wilberforce died his dream was accomplished. Who knows what life in Britain would be like now if William had not have stood up for what he believed in.

We can change this world. All we need is faith, love and Jesus with us. Without God we cannot do anything for we are too weak to do anything in our own strength.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

“Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” – Philippians 2:15