Good morning to all. I am taking just a second to catch up on some blog entries befor the day starts for real as my sweet hubby and son rise and shine for the day. I realize that it has been a while since I have written anything and wanted to catch up with you on what is going on here in my little corner of the world. Most of you that stop by here from time to time realize that I try to keep everything sunny and bright on my blog and I don't often complain about too much about anything going on in our day to day life. Recently, however, I have had a little bout with the old demon called depression. Nothing devastating just a case of the blues and some discouragement. I have had a couple of instances lately where people have let me down (not that I have never let anyone down--I am sure that I have as we all do from time to time). I have prayed about this deeply and sought answers in the books of Job and Ecclesiastes and have come back to realizing that I cannot allow others to rob me of my JOY in the Lord or in the life that HE has blessed me with. Below is a work called "Anyway" that I have used as my model for a number of years. The past few weeks have been a test of my Faith and I had to once again realize that I can only trust Him and not rely on others for approval and strength. If anyone reading this is going through a time of hardship with family or friends, please read this and understand that All that we do is done for HIS Glory alone and not for the glory of ourselves or others.

Much love to all,

Char 

The version found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:

              People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

            If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

            If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

            If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

            What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

            If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

            The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

         Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

         In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

-this version is credited to Mother Teresa

____________________________

2. The Original Version:

by Dr. Kent M. Keith

1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
   Love them anyway.
   
2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
   Do good anyway.
   
3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
   Succeed anyway.
   
4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
   Do good anyway.
   
5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
   Be honest and frank anyway.
   
6. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
   Think big anyway.
   
7. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
   Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
   
8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
   Build anyway.
   
9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
   Help people anyway.
   
10. Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
    Give the world the best you have anyway.

© 1968, 2001 Kent M. Keith

"The Paradoxical Commandments" were written by Kent M. Keith in 1968 as part of a booklet for student leaders.