I wrote about this subject several years ago and the topic continues to interest me.

So many of us just rush through life going from one ‘want’ to another all while thinking we have forever to live and will always have the tomorrows. Well, I am here to tell you that tomorrow is not promised and if we don’t live for today, we may miss our chance. I have lost friends lately the same age as me and I have determined that the moments life gives you are fragile and should be cherished.

Knowing when enough is enough is perhaps one of the biggest problems in many areas of our lives. We just don’t know when enough is enough. I believe that joy, rest, and peace come from contentment. Contentment comes from enough. I am not saying we shouldn’t have goals and dreams because they are the essence of what keeps us dreaming and full of hope for the future. We should have objectives you want to accomplish but those goals and dreams should be junior to living and enjoying the current life God has given you.

Many people spend their best years trying to get to the next house, the next promotion, the next deal, the next thrill, the next marriage, the next look, the next invitation, the next (you fill in the blank.) Many times, people want these things because they are really hiding behind the image (the new me) they think will come if they have these things.

The question we should be asking ourselves is, when will I finally be ok with me and where I am now. When will enough be enough?

I look at the] landscape of singers, actors, politicians, influencers etc. and clearly enough are not enough for most of them. Don’t think of their life as being so great because it is not. Many die young, broke, and alone.

The first words in Psalm 23 says; the Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The entire psalm is the picture of rest, assurance, confidence and having enough.

Find that place where you can sit down, rest, take a deep breath and not think about that next thing. KT

I have said in the past that it is good to know where you are going (destination) in order to map the journey. I have also said that if your destination is Florida, and you get on I-75 going north, it doesn’t matter how much you want to go to Florida, you will not get there because you are heading in the wrong direction. I won’t say that direction is everything, but it largely determines where you are going.

Ok here it is – I may have been a little wrong. Not everyone has the full-on mental image of their destination at first. Maybe they just need to start the journey and let God show them the direction and the turns. The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that the main thing is to get started. Let me say that again, the main thing is to get started.

Here is a good ‘get started’ prayer. “Lord, I don’t know where you want me to go and what you want me to do, but I do know that I am today making the decision to start following you and living my life in a way that would be pleasing to you.” That prayer is so open, raw and honest it almost makes me cry. That is what God wants from us. Just a willing heart to follow him wherever he leads.

Many times, our destination becomes more in focus if we are traveling on the right road and in the right direction. My life’s work (Hotel Broker) is a perfect example. In May of 1990 I just needed to make some extra money, so I went to a friend of mine that sold hotels and ask for a part time job. It wasn’t until I sold my second hotel that my destination became laser focused clear. I was getting out of the restaurant business and getting into selling hotels. I have never looked back in all these 34 years. My point is, I didn’t know my destination, but I did know the direction I needed to be heading.

So today, you may be going around the mountain on a curvy road (metaphor for life) not really knowing your destination and how long it will take. You may be getting weary. Galatians 6:9 says, “and let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Even though a breakthrough in your life may be hard to see today and the forecast is cold and cloudy, don’t lose hope, because God sees you,,,, and if he knows how many hairs are on your head (the bible says) you can rest in assurance that he has you in the palm of his hand and knows everything that is going on in your life. KT

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As we all begin a new year, why don’t we dispense with the resolutions that we very seldom follow through on and think a little more deeply than the usual, exercise more, lose weight, read more, make more money etc. etc.

Let’s step back and think more of others than of ourselves. In doing so, just maybe we will improve our own joy, contentment, peace and rest.

Let us strive to forgive more, be more kind to others, be less judgmental, love more, give more, help others more and share more of our lives with those around us. In a movie we watched recently, I heard a pretty great piece od advice. Decide the person you want to be and what you want others to think, when they see you coming. When people (friends and family) see you coming, what do they think? Are they happy about it or dreading it? Are they excited or cautious? Are they inviting or hesitant.

You may not realize this, but you go through these exact subconscious evaluations on other people when you see them coming. Think about this the next time you see someone you know walking toward you.

Therefore, maybe we try a different approach to the old standard New Years resolutions and try to be a better person toward other people. If we truly believe – when we give, it will be given unto us and – we reap what we sow, then let’s sow some different seeds this year that are not centered on us, but on others. KT

Over the past weekend my memory has taken me for a little historical ride. I suppose it is the joy of the holidays that lead to personal reflection. Over the weekend, I went in my memory from youth to adulthood and came away as always, with a profound thankfulness for God in my life and for the life God has given me.

I continue to be amazed at how I had the opportunity to sell hotels as a living. With no formal education and a stutter, by all accounts, I should be employed in a job where I would not interact with other people. Somehow God saw fit to make me a salesman (probably in his humor) and  let me do something else for a living.

It’s called a glimpse for a reason. It is probably not healthy to spend too much time dwelling on the past, so instead we choose just a glimpse of where we could have ended up. There is an old proverb attributed to John Bradford in the 1500’s that goes, “there, but for the grace of God, go I.” It means, without God intervening in my life, I would not be where I am.

Many people love to think that their hard work, education, or intellect is responsible for getting them where they are. Some even quote “I am a self-made man/woman.” I would urge you to be careful to never let your mind go there, much less, let your mouth ever utter those words. Every one of us is one heartbeat away from the grave and it is only by the grace of God that we are allowed to remain among the living. Never take that for granted, because it could change in a literal heartbeat.

When these moments of reflection happen for you, (and they will) be sure to turn the world off and have a little quiet prayer time thanking God for all he has done for you and your family and gave him the gratitude for your life. Sometimes, it helps us all to see a glimpse of where we almost ended up. KT

Galatians 5:22 In the bible speaks to the “fruit” of the spirit. The fruit of the spirit is a metaphor for the characteristics you should be able to visibly see if a person is a believer in Jesus. Its much like you could see by the type of fruit (apple, orange, pear, etc.) what type of tree it is.

It has always struck me that the first three (Love, joy, peace) are the ones we all seek the most. I also believe they come in that order. Love first, then joy and that results in peace. If we took a survey of the top 10 things most people want, peace is usually right near the top. Peace is the ability to find contentment where you are in life. It’s being able to rest and see the world through the lens of love and joy.

Over the past year, America seems to have skipped a few steps wanting to hurry and have peace. Well, you can’t have real peace without loving those around you first. That kind of love also means to forbear and forgive those who have wronged us. Only when we show this kind of love do we become aware of a deep joy in our lives. It is only when you have love and joy in your heart do you find that elusive peace we are searching for.

There are other attributes (fruits) that come after the first three like, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness, but you see, they all come after choosing to love first.

This Christmas season, please take a moment to get with God and ask him to adjust (if needed) your love for others so you may have the joy of Christmas and the peace that can only come from God almighty. KT