Today was a gift....did I unwrap it with a smile and appreciate it? Or was I ungrateful and pitch a fit?

Did I say thank you and tell others how happy the gift made me? Or did I take it for granted and let the excitement flee?

Did I let others enjoy their day by having a good attitude? Or did my words and actions put them in a bad mood.

Listening to country music on the cloud of your choice. Thankful to be together and hearing each other's voice.

Having a joyful time with no worries or fears. All happy thoughts and no more tears.

Living in beauty that you had to see to believe. Rejoicing with your Father knowing you never have to leave.

Why are we in a hurry? We seem to move in a constant scurry? Why do we want everything right now? We act like we can't wait or maybe we have forgotten how. What are we teaching our kids? Is this how we want them to be? Is our busy lifestyle all they will ever see? We tell them to be patient, but we do not show them the way. They watch us rush day after day. We complain about the long drive thru line, but we are too busy to go in and dine. They hear us say move fast, that we have to go. But what's wrong with taking a break and moving slow?
Perhaps we are not as busy as we claim to be. Maybe it's what we are choosing as our priority. What we say to our kids and what we show them are not the same. Surely it's confusing and it really is a shame. We tell them we are too busy to play because we have to clean and cook.  But first we sit down and check facebook.. We tell them they should stop playing games...that they should go outside and ride their bikes. But we stay in and post a selfie and wait for all the likes. We say time has flown but how much of it was wasted staring at a phone.
We do not have to continue this way. We can choose to change today. I, for one, want to take a time out. Being busy is not what I want to be about. I want to enjoy my family face to face. My desire is to move at a slower pace. I want to live in the moment and look forward to what's next. I don't want to worry about responding to every text. I want to have a purpose in all that I do. Maybe if I stop rushing and put my phone down.... I will be able to.

Today, I  challenge you and myself to be positive and do something great. Spread good news and stay away from hate.

Give away smiles and show people respect. Have some fun and let go of regret.

Turn your radio up loud, sing and be free.
Look around and point out all the blessings you see.

We can make a difference with our attitude today. It will take work and effort but we can find a way!

Use kind words and strive to do what's right. Let others know you care and be a shining light!

By Farrah Murphy

Please say a prayer for the children who are hurt each day. They didn't ask to grow up this way.
They don't deserve the bruises and pain. What is happening to them is insane.
They want to have fun, laugh and play. But their innocence and childhood has been taken away.
Children need to be protected...they are a gift from above. So many of them have never known love.
This is an urgent request....please pray!! Abuse is happening everyday!!

Times are crazy right now, we all know it's true. People are running around , not sure what to do. Grocery store shelves are empty and schools are out. Some people are scared, others have doubt.

But one thing is certain, everyone has something to say. There is no silence, the noise grows everyday. Everyone is busy telling each other what's wrong or right. Chaos is among us and we are all losing sight.

It's not a time to judge or criticize decisions that have been made. No one needs us giving them a passing or failing grade. Instead, let's respect each other and be kind. And realize we don't always have to speak our mind!

We are all human trying to make it day by day. Everyone won't see things exactly the same way. But we can practice patience and pray for wisdom through this storm we are trying to weather. And remember at the end of the day we are all in this together!