Encouragement Via Old Calendars

Sometimes God sends you just what you need from a surprising source. Today my wife and I were cleaning out a storage closet in our basement and among the lost, forgotten, sentimental, outdated, and maybe-we'll-need-thing-someday stuff, was an old Mary Engelbreit calendar. Granted, Mary Engelbreit stuff is "chick stuff," but the sayings on her paintings are often quite simple and deep at the same time. I miss the Mary Engelbreit store at Woodfield Mall because I was always able to find a present for my wife for any occasion. Shopping for her takes more effort now, I used to just buy anything in that store and I was a success!

Anyway, my wife was holding on to several old Mary Engelbreit calendars with the idea of framing some of the artwork someday, but in our frenzy of "if in doubt, throw it out" cleaning today, she finally decided to part with these old calendars. Much to her surprise, on their way to the garbage can, it was ME who got hooked on them, and even got teared up over one of them. So, like the sap that I am, I am now saving the calendar, and have scanned my three favorites to post here, hopefully to encourage you as well:

As Paul said, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:13-14

It is often said not to let success go to your head, but it is equally important not to let failure go to your heart. God still loves you and He will still stand by you, even when others won't. The most important opinion, and the only one you should concern yourself with, is God's opinion of you. If God is for you, and you are walking with God, nothing else matters. Be bold and stand tall.

As Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah said, "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you... Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you." (2 Chronicles 20:17)

But then, this was my favorite:

I concern myself often with a great many things, and worry about the opinions and thoughts of others toward me, but there is one certain little person in my life, and he thinks I'm ok, and that makes me ok with me too. He is my legacy. Not anything I do in service for God.

Me and My Buddy.