Family Love?

There's an old chinese saying that goes, 'The water on the house flows from the roof down into the drain pipe, then into the funnel and down into the drain. From there it's flows out and is lost.' Love within is family is like that, your parents, grandparents and great-grand parents shower love down to you and you in turn shower that love to your children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren. Seldom it is seen that there is any reciprocation of such love. When such a time were to come to past, it is either when you are gravely ill and about to die or when you are at your death bed. Love was always meant to be a two-way road, yet when it comes to family we tend to treat them even worse than we do our friends. How is it that we are able to so willing do things and favours for our friends. Even to the extent of going out of our way to get things done for them and yet we find it so difficult to forgive our immediate family. Our own flesh and blood.

This was put across to me today, on just how much my parents and grandparents have done for me. Just how they were there for me even when it was not necessary. How much they worry for me when I was young. Looking out for me, watching over me, the invisible hand and eyes behind ensuring that all is well in my life. Ever ready to make their presence felt the moment that I needed them. However, just how long have they waited in the back? Watching me, looking after me? Have I ever noticed them there before?

It is all the small and little things in life that count. Not so much the big things, but finer details as we move through life. The old saying, 'It's the thought that counts' rings true in most cases, especially when it comes to family. Even if it's just a simple text message to your family or loved ones telling them how you did in a major examination, or after coming back from a long trip. How easily we have neglected these things. When you first obtained your driving license who was the first to know? Was it your parents? Your siblings? Or your friends? Why don't you take some timeto reflect on all that your parents and grandparents have done for you. And exactly just what haveyou done for them. Given them more to worry about? Or have you been the good and filial son/daughter. The trend would continue to carry on till the chain is broken, for the child learns from his/her parents. Won't you be the one to break this trend and allow the water to flow up as well instead of down?

Each Day. . .

It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.
In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The clam of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.
For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.

I CHOOSE LOVE. . .
No ocasions justifies hatred;
no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love.
Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY. . .
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.
I will refuse the temptation to be cynical. . .
the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see
people as anything less than human beings, created by God.
I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than
an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE. . .
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE. . .
I will overlook the inconviences of the world. Instead of
cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so.
Rather than complain that the wait is too long,
I will thank God for the moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist
at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS. . .
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.
Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind,
for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS. . .
I will go without a dollar before
I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast.
I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS. . .
Today I will keep my promises.
My debtors will not regret their trust. My associate will not
question my word. My wife will not question my love.
And my children will never fear that
their father will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS. . .
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gnetle.
If I raise my voice may it be only in praise.
If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer.
If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL. . .
I am a spiritual being. . . .
After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.
I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal.
I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy.
I will be impassioned only by my faith.
I will be influenced only by God.
I will be taught only by Christ.
I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
To these I commit my day.
If I succeed, I will give thanks.
If I fail, I will seek his grace.
And then, when this day is done.
I will place my head on my pillow
and rest.

MAX LUCADO
When God Whispers Your Name