Let Your Light Shine Before Men. Job Mothiba

      Life is not always friendly. Learn to smile and see it from the right angle. Be humble, kind and be wise. Never underestimate anyone. For everyone is given something that which other people do not have. The person that you look down upon and take for granted today is the very same person you will be looking up to begging for their help. An arrogant person will tell you what he is got. But a humble person remembers who helped him, and never judges anyone by what they have.

      If you did not go through the process to get it, you do not have the power to keep it. If you did not earn it, you do not own it. What comes around goes around. You do not have to knock anyone off their game to win yours. So be careful you do not throw people off of a roof that you should be lowering them through. “The Lord will repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I refused to stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 26: 23)

      All of us get broken in some way, but what really matters is how we get back up and put the pieces back together. There are indeed times when we can actually feel we are off course. This is when the enemy is at his depraved best.

      However, no matter what comes your way, stay positive and stay grateful. Never lose hope and never stop fighting for what you believe in. Just hold on long enough, because sometimes the situation seem much difficult but better in the morning. When the sunrises it gives hope. “Weeping may endure through the night but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

      What kind of person are you to someone who has fallen, the kind that you will run to when you fall? Well, every person is on a journey here on earth. Do not judge people on where they are today because that is not where they are going to end up. There are no guarantees in life, but it is a sure thing that you will get back what you give. When you really have nothing left to give any more you are at peace.

      That is when you realize that is all what you need. And be thankful that you have a glass and grateful that there is something in it. It does not matter if the glass is half empty or half full. For a genuine gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to invite more goodness into your life. “But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.” (Ecclesiastes 9:4.)

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       *Motho ke motho ka batho, *Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu

      Did you ever write a really long message and about halfway through you are like “you know what, I do not even care” and end up deleting it. Sometimes it is easier to pretend you do not care than to admit it is killing you. It is also ironic how you can smile on the outside, but die on the inside at the same time. Everyone always asks “are you okay?” for the sake of asking but no one really cares enough to see through the all “I am fine” lies.

      It is easier to say “I am fine” when somebody asks if you are okay because sometimes it is not possible to explain why you are not. Sometimes when you say “I am okay”, you want somebody to look at you and say, “I know you are not.” That is what true love and caring is all about. However, part of caring for the loved ones is respecting their own free will to fail and to get hurt. Offer help, but allow them to live their own lives. Acknowledge that you cannot always be there for them.

      Instead do what you can, plant the seed and then fall back to allow them to grow on their own even if it hurts. For “It is not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What is important is that God makes the seed grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:7)

      Can you see eye-to-eye with someone not to agree, but to care? Not until you look into the eye of that child, neighbour, nanny or stranger do they turn into a human being. There is no reason to be hateful towards someone just because you disagree with their life choices, decisions or religion. Love them where they are at.

      Generally, a person will only argue with someone she or he truly love and care for. Arguing less occurs when one is less interested. So practice forgiveness daily. Forgive others and forgive yourself. Allow yourself to be happy. Thus, practice does not make perfect if you are doing it wrong.

      Sometimes it is hard to be honest and do the right thing, but do not give up… Unfortunately, just because you “forgive” someone does not mean they would not continue to affect you or piss you off. Sometimes it is not enough to do our best; but we must do what is required. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;” (Luke 6:37)

      Time spent alone with yourself is never as fruitful as time spent caring and sharing with others. You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life. For no one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else. What we do for ourselves dies with us but what we do with or for others usually remains.

      So, each person should do as he has decided in his heart not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others”. (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT)

      Somewhere someone is looking for exactly what you have to offer. Every single prayer matters. Every single word to God counts. A prayer can change everything. Do not give up hope.

      Bless others in private, without any expectations. Everyone does not need to know what you do for others. You are called by God to pray for others that you may not even know. But not all are listening for His direction. Hence, direction is more important than speed. There are a lot of people going nowhere fast.

      So, nothing is worth more than this day. For you cannot relive yesterday. Tomorrow is still beyond your reach. So, this is the day, this in the hour, this is the moment to turn to someone and say, “God loves you so much.” You may not be aware or even feel like it, but the reality is someone need it. You never know what a person is going through behind closed doors. The most important thing we are reminded of about God in the midst of trouble is that we are loved.

      Build someone up today. Pay them a compliment. Remind them they are amazing. It costs you nothing, but to them it may mean everything. Be the type of person that no matter where you go, you add value to the lives of those around you. Always have something to work on. God will show you what it is and how to do it. If He does not give you it is because you do not need more than what you have right now. For the steps of the righteous are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his ways. (Psalm 37:23)

      Love, empathy and forgiveness have no season, nor expiration dates. You need to express and experience them daily. Forgiving someone is a great way to show love, and forgive yourself too for the hurt you held onto far too long. Just because you have made some mistakes in your past does not mean you should feel humiliated for the rest of your life. Do not get stuck in this circle of guilt, judgement and self-pity. You are not the first person to wake up one morning saying “I have messed up big time.”

      Everyone makes mistakes, but that does not necessarily make them bad persons. But when you cannot own up to them, that is another story and that is when people starts to judge. Admits that you were little off the mark and ask for forgiveness. “May the Lord have mercy on you according to His steadfast love and blot out all your transgression” (Psalm 51:1)

      One of the best things in life is seeing a smile on a person’s face and knowing that you put it there. Every time you make somebody smile, compliment someone or simply acknowledge their innate divine beauty, you are celebrating God.

      So, be nice, even to strangers because some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Someone you are going to cross paths with today needs you to be filled with joy, unconditional love and acceptance. An Angel from God may cross your path today. “May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:2)