Villages Community Chapel

     To not have challenges in your life is not a reality, because every person has situations that seem to come out of nowhere. It’s inevitable that the older we get the more things change and the challenges just to keep pace can be overwhelming to us all. Regardless of what's going on in our lives, when people ask “How are you doing?” We often respond by saying, “Great.”

     I have never been so challenged in my entire life as I have been this year. From the loss of loved ones to health issues and physical limitation. If you are not there yet, as my mother in law would tell my wife, “Just keep living.” We learn to laugh at ourselves when we get lost in our own homes, “What did I come in here for?” On the other hand, it’s no laughing matter when you can’t remember where you live.

     It is very important how we deal with our challenges. We can have a negative attitude which creates a negative atmosphere around us, driving people away, or we can have a positive attitude. Believe it or not, depending on what is happening in this season of your life, you can add to the atmosphere of your surroundings in either a positive or negative way. We have all been given experiences that affect us in many ways.

     When I was hospitalized, I blessed everyone, the doctors, the assistants, the nurses and the staff. I acknowledged and thanked them for the gifts they had been given to help sustain life. Boldly speaking, and blessing the Heart Transplant Team, I conveyed to them that they were no different than the farmer. Each have been given different skill sets but the mission is the same. They have been blessed with the task of helping to sustain life. They humbly acknowledged that they were blessed to help sustain life as well as the farmers who grow and cultivate food for every human being.

     There were several young interns who visited my room for one on one conversations. Some of them had both parents in the medical profession which added to their pressure.  They shared with me some of their concerns, especially the fear of failure. I prayed, blessed and assured each one that they had been chosen and gifted to do the work of sustaining life. The smiles from their faces broke forth like the sunshine on a cloudy day.

     Many times challenges occur in our lives and we must embrace them with a positive attitude because it's usually an opportunity to become a better person. Let’s be infectious by creating a positive atmosphere for each other to be encouraged and inspired. You will be surprised by the results.

     Let’s be determined to be a mover and shaker, by being a positive person. Attitude is everything with the many challenges in life.

     NIV Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Attitude is everything in the challenges of life.

     Why not join us at the Villages Community Chapel in the Cribari Auditorium this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The chapel is a place for Needs to be Met, Faith to be Affirmed and People to Love. We would love to meet you. If you would like to make an appointment with Pastor Bill call the office at 408-238-3079,  9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday thru Wednesday. To learn more about the Villages Community Chapel visit our website at http://villagescommunitychapel.org You can hear previous and current Sunday Sermons.