Being Grateful for Those Around You.

Ephesians 1:16 (New International Version)

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

In his book, "Stories for Sermons," Arthur Tonne, tells how a famous organist was giving a recital in an eastern church. The instrument was not supplied air electrically; it had to be pumped by hand. A young boy was engaged to do this for the occasion.

Everything was going along fine until the lad put his head around the side of the organ and whispered, "We are doing pretty good, aren't we?"

"What do you mean by 'we'?" objected the organist. A few minutes later, in the midst of a beautiful strain, the organ suddenly stopped giving out any music. Desperately the organist tried all the stops. No use.

Then again he saw the head of the boy bob around the corner, a broad smile on his face. He said, "Now do you know who I mean by 'we'?"

Dear Lord, please help us always remember that I cannot live a meaningful life alone and I cannot do your work alone. Help us show appreciation for the things others do. in Jesus' name. Amen."

Lesson learned from a Hamster.

One of my pets was a hamster. As I thought about Hammy our pet hamster I wondered what lesson could we learn from him? Below are a few we could learn from a hamster.



1. Hammy was thrilled when we gave him a small carrot stick or a grape as a treat. It's a reminder to appreciate small gifts and favors.


2. Hammy use to shred ordinary cotton balls, transforming them into a comfortable bed. Get creative with what you already have instead of wishing for more.


3. Hammy would run in his wheel for hours not going anywhere -- but every morning he woke up wiggling his little nose ready for another day. Work, family and friends will occasionally run you ragged. Sometimes all you can do is put up with what is going on around you, get a good night's sleep and make tomorrow better.


4. Hammy lived alone in his cage and kept himself busy most of the time, but he always allowed us to pick him up and take him places. Be open to new people and opportunities.


5. Hammy rarely made a noise not even squeaked, because he was so quite we had to listened carefully when he made a noise. remember to listen more carefully to those around you before opening your mouth. Make an effort to chose your words more carefully.


There you have it a few lesson you can learn from that little ball of fluff we call a hamster.


19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.


-1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we pray that we would learn these lessons from a hamster. We pray that we would appreciate the small things in life, and that we would watch the things we say. We pray that we would have words of blessing for those around us. In Jesus' name, Amen