Inspiration

My friend's preparations for a visit from her children included a trip to the bank.

Waiting in line at the teller's window, she lamented to the middle-aged man behind her, "My children are in their 20s, and I'm still giving them money. When does it end?"

"I'm not sure I'm the one to ask," the man said while glancing uncomfortably at a paper in his hand, "I'm here to deposit a check from my mother."

"Lazy is such an ugly word. I prefer to call it selective participation."

- John Silver, Black Sails

A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice.

The older preacher walked up to a rose bush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing any of the petals. The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry. But, because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try and unfold the rosebud while keeping every petal intact . . .It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do.

"God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself."

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer