In a small village far, far away, there lived a little boy named Frank and his father. It was Frank's birthday and his father bought for him a wooden train set. It had no tracks, but the the boys imagination was all that was needed. He hitched the engine to the tender car. Then he connected the passenger car, and then the caboose. Then he pushed that train all over the kitchen floor while his father used a skillet to make pancakes.

They lived in a meager little two bedroom, one bath house. His father was used to working all day in the coal mines and would often come home all sooty and black. But this morning was a Saturday and he was as clean as a whistle, save for the unkempt beard that reminded Frank of Santa Claus.

The wind howled outside and the snow fell. The trees had lines of snow on their branches and the street was as white as a pearl necklace as it winded past their home. Frank was oblivious to what was happening outside because his train got the bulk of his attention. That and the smell of pancakes being flipped in the skillet.

Now as stories go, as they often do, this one started out well where everyone is happy. But then Frank's father got a call from his Aunt Daisy. Uncle Gregory had just past away, in his sleep. Frank's father told him about his uncle and Frank started to cry because his Uncle Gregory was his favorite uncle. They had gone fishing every Summer together and it was a lot of fun.

It is now twenty years later. Frank is grown up and he thinks back on that day when he got news of his uncles passing. He remembers the fishing and the wooden train. He wonders about the times he could have had had his uncle not died in the car accident on his way to Frank's birthday breakfast. He sometimes blames himself even though a drunk driver was the one that took his uncle's life.

All of our lives we have blamed ourselves for a great many things that we had no control of. We have done a lot of "would of, could of, and should of's" but yet that can never undo the hardships we faced. We cannot take it back to live all over again. But yet there are so many people out there that keep blaming themselves for what they think they did to others. I have heard the phrase, "You are your own worse critic."

But you have to realize something here. As humans we are prone to mistakes. In fact, some of the most gifted geniuses of our times became successful on the curtails of their own frequent failures. So, in other words, give yourself a break. Don't let the past bother you so much. Oh, I know, easier said then done. But no matter how much you may think of past mistakes or want to take the blame for things beyond your control, it doesn't make life any easier.

Job 13:25 Would you blame a leaf that is blown about by the wind? Will you chase dry, useless straws? TLB

Sometimes it seems like we are like leaves that blow about in the wind. We never really know what God wants for our lives because we are sometimes unwilling to take the time to spend in prayer. We do not let the guidance of God into our hearts long enough to make a lasting impression.

But yet we are always questioning and wondering and wanting to know our place in society and what our true calling is. Wondering is good, but action is better. Wondering can only take you so far. When you get to the eventual dead end that wonder gives you, you have to look up to God for guidance.

I have often heard the phrase in TV drama shows and movies, "What do YOU want?" People that are asked this question often get this far away look and the show fades to the next scene or commercial as if it is time for us to ask ourselves the same question.

Philippians 2:14-16 In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing 15 so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn. Shine out among them like beacon lights, 16 holding out to them the Word of Life. TLB

But what do YOU truly want? What are your aspirations? What is it that you find should be your life's work? If you do not know then you need to take it to the Lord in prayer. He knows what you want and you should try to get a better idea of what God wants for your life.

But what about the rat race? What about not having the time to wonder, ponder, and question? But then do you want to get on your death bed when you are old and look back and see that you never really tried to understand yourself better because you got caught up in the rat race of life? That is not the way to live. It is not the way to seek love from others. And it is not the way to a more fulfilling life with God helping you along the way.

So what do you do? Do you just curl up in a ball and not let people in? Do you run around like a chicken with it's head off because you want to or because you feel that is what so many other people do, so why not you? If that is the case then look to God for guidance. And I don't mean just pray, also read the Bible and let God's word comfort and guide you along the way.

We can go along and let the thorns that grow wild on the road of life get us again and again off guard, or we can grow strong in the knowledge that God is always there for us no matter how life gets us down.

So why not open the Bible, read a few chapters, and pray. What do you have to lose? And just imagine what you have to gain.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to put blame aside and give myself a break. A break from the hectic world where I find myself trying to impress others rather than you, Lord, or myself. Lord, please give me the understanding and the guidance I need in the coming week so that I can help others to know about your love and caring ways. I thank you for all your many blessings. Amen.

Benediction: Now, Lord, Bless us in our daily lives. Help us to smell the roses whenever possible, to shine our light on those less fortunate than us, and lead us in the path we should go. For you are the light that keeps our path well lit. Help us to follow it, until we meet you, in a land where milk and honey abound, a place where our most wonderful dreams are fulfilled. Amen.

Hi, my name is Bryan, a messenger of hope who would love to hear from you. God Bless.

© 2005 Bryan Hill