Villages Community Chapel

     There are events that make deep and lasting impressions, especially on youthful lives which are carried over to adulthood. The effects of bullying from others, to being told by adults that you will never measure up to anything, can be devastating. When you make mistakes it seems to validate the negative things that have been said about you and you can see and hear the person saying those things.

     Some people can see a person’s potential, often better than oneself. It’s easy at times to devalue your contribution when you focus and measure yourself by other people’s talents and gifts. I have been around individuals who couldn’t see their own value, which made it challenging to encourage them to dig a little deeper in order to have a breakthrough!

     Some situations that I have observed in a person’s life could make or break them, by their choices. For example, a person can choose to turn those negative things into positive energy and use it to propel themselves over the walls that have been holding them back. On the other hand, those negative things can imprison a person to the extent that they succumb to guilt, depression, addiction and sometimes even crime.

     When I was a youth, there were people who didn’t think much about me because of my family’s history and they were not afraid to express their opinions. I used those negative things to push me in the right direction, even when I failed to measure up to achieving my goals. I never stop trying to be a better person.

     Today you may know of someone who experienced a difficult childhood which has affected their attitude about themselves and other people. If you listen carefully you can hear the pain in their conversations and how they habitually put other people down to lift themselves up.

     I believe that we were all created with the potential for greatness and being the best human being and friend we can be, even to the very broken. I’m so grateful that I have lived and am living to reach my fullest potential to love, forgive, accept and encourage others to do the same.

     A good practice is to acknowledge your brokenness and speak blessing in the other person’s life, thereby disarming them.

     It can be easy to be critical of others when you have had better opportunities and people in your life who held the door of Second Chances open for you. The thought occurred to me, rather than people giving their business cards why not give Second Chance Cards to people who need a little grace.

     Regardless of past failures, each day that we can wake up is a 'Day of Second Chances'. Let’s not allow the past to determine our future.

     Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

     Please join us during this Christmas Season at the Villages Community Chapel in the Cribari Auditorium each 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.  You will be glad that you did! 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.