Gifts Not Problems

Scripture reading

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

–1 Peter 4:10

Thought of the Day

Eileen Egan, worked with Mother Teresa for thirty years and explained her positive outlook on life in this way. One day, Mother Teresa observed that it seemed that everything had become problems. The word problem was being used so much that perhaps a shift in vocabulary was needed. Mother Teresa suggested substituting the word, gift, instead of problem. Sister Egan relates of a time not long after that when a flight was delayed taking the two of them from Vancouver to New York City. A layover was necessary and she was about to inform Mother Teresa about the problem. She caught herself and used the new word gift. She said, ‘Mother, I have to tell you about a gift. We have to be here for four hours”. Mother Teresa just smiled and settled down to read her favorite devotional book. The delay had provided her with the gift of prayer, and time, and relaxation.

Why don’t you try it for a few days? Instead of thinking about all the problems you might face, try to look upon them as gifts. Now, of course there are things in our lives that are hard to think of as gifts, but I know we each have a few things that can change if our attitude and perspective shifts a bit. Try it, you might like it.

Prayer

Lord, Help me to trust You and see more things as gifts. Amen.

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