Thought of the Day !!

“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:35 (NLT)

Many live by the mantra that it’s much more blessed to get than to give. But the fact is that we are created in the image of our Creator. And the Creator is a giver. God gave us breath. He gave us His Son. He gave us a way out of our sin. He gives, gives, gives. Yet many believe that more joy comes out of getting for some reason. If we were created in the image of the world…of sin…then this would be true. But we’re created to be like Christ who is the ultimate giver. If you think it’s better to receive, then you don’t know the heart of Jesus or the true joy of giving that comes out of that heart.

And sometimes the irony is that if we work so hard just so we can gain, we wind up losing in the end. Just as the great classic song "Cat’s in the Cradle" suggests. This song is about a man who has no time for his child because he's always working. But when he's retired and just wants to see his son, it's too late because he has taught that son to be just like him in striving for other things. So in trying to get as much as he can, he loses what's really important...his son. (You can see the lyrics to this song below.)

Just remember that it's more blessed to give than to receive because that's how we were created to be. And in striving to get all we can, we might just miss out on what's most important.

In the love of Christ,
greg



Cat’s in the Cradle

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"

(Chorus)

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

(Chorus)

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me