THREE THINGS TO REMEMBER

This is an expert from a short letter I wrote to students I had taught at Grace Centers of Hope, a Rescue Mission in Pontiac, Michigan.  Recovering as they were from past mistakes and unproductive life styles, I felt these 3 ideas might be a major consideration for them. I often try to remind myself of these 3 meditations and I hope you find these few paragraphs meaningful too. 

 May the Lord continue to bless you,

 Paul Serwinek …

Here are three things I’d like you to remember.  They are among the most important things I’ve learned in life.  If you practice them, I know you’ll be unbelievably successful in whatever you do.

The first is to remember that “All things are possible with Faith.”  What I mean is don’t let anyone tell you, “You can’t do it.”  Whatever it is, whether  it’s career success or a personal goal, I’ve learned “all things are possible with faith.”  Faith means never doubting the possibility of your attaining a goal.  Be certain it can happen.  Or another way of saying it, “Dare to dream big dreams.”  I was “silly” enough to believe what scripture says when I was younger and didn’t know any better, and guess what? It all came true beyond my wildest expectations.  With God’s help I have seen dream after dream come true-whether a career goal or a personal desire.  I know your dreams will come true too.

Here’s the second thing I’d like you to remember.  Be a friend to yourself.  In other words don’t beat up on yourself.  There are enough other people out there that will do that for you.  Think of yourself the way the Lord wants you to think.  Scripture says (Romans 12:2) “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”  Your mind is very powerful.  If you think you’re not worth it, you’ll believe it.  But God thinks you’re worth it.  He considers you “an heir with Christ.”  An heir to a fortune!  You have to decide for yourself what you want to believe about yourself.  Before I knew the truth, I was cowardly and bashful and had low self esteem.  I realized I was no good to anyone that way, not to God, let alone myself.  I learned to watch what I said about myself to myself.  When I failed at something, rather than saying, “I can never do that” or “I’m always unlucky,” I caught myself saying negative things about myself and then reminded myself that the Lord has a different opinion.  He thinks I’m worth it or He wouldn’t have died for me too. Catch yourself saying negative things about yourself, then tell yourself, “I don’t really believe that about me, I believe what God  says of me,  I’m His child.” 

Finally, remember there is someone you can always count on, someone  who won’t let you down.  So when you’re worried, when you’re nervous, when you’re scared, you don’t have to go it alone.   Christ said, “I call you my friends.”  (John 15:14)  He also taught us to talk to “Our Father.”  I’m fortunate enough to have a best friend, my wife, Marlene. But even we have our disagreements. You may have a best friend too but it’s nice to know there is someone there constantly for you even when others can’t be, namely,  the Lord.  I proved that to myself with all the health issues I’ve survived thus far. I hope you can bring yourself to feel that way, too.  You never have to be alone or face anything alone or be fearful alone. The Lord cares about our success constantly.  This is what I wish for you, these 3 things I’ve learned over my life.   So remember: Faith, Frame of mind, and a constant Friend. 

God Bless You,