"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." ~ Philippians 4:8
The first* time I heard this passage I was a child and my young heart seemed to jump up and down while my soul said: Yes! Yes! Yes!
All these years later, I still experience a strong resonance whenever I hear these words and act upon them.
I found myself applying them yesterday. Like millions of people, I'm feeling hurt and horror about the attack on the women and children traveling in Mexico near the U.S. border. At the same time, my heart is uplifted when I think about the 13-year old boy who bravely hid his injured siblings, covered them with branches, and walked many miles through the Sonoran desert for help.
I'm reminded that the beauty, strength, courage, wisdom, and love in that boy is present in all children. In you and me too. In every one of us. These gifts are even in people who don't seem to have knowledge or appreciation of them or the inclination to use their noble qualities.
Let's look for the good. May seeing it feed our faith, heighten our hope, and deepen our desire to respond to life with courage, compassion, hope, and love...with all that is noble and beautiful in us.
Yes? Yes? Yes?
Charlene
P.S. - * Speaking of firsts, today is the first day of featuring FAVORITE QUOTES: HELPFUL WORDS FROM PAST TIMES FOR OUR PRESENT TIMES...focusing on them for the rest of November, with gratitude. Feel free to write and share your favorite quotes with me. Please send to: CharleneCostanzo@gmail.com
THE SECOND GIFT IS BEAUTY. May your deeds reflect its depth. - from The Twelve Gifts of Birth
