THE BRICKS OF LIFE

About ten years ago, a young and very successful executive named Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was going a bit too fast inhis sleek, black, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE, which was only two months old. Hewas watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed downwhen he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no child darted out,but a brick sailed out and-WHUMP! – it smashed into the Jag's shiny blackside door! SCREECH...!!!! Brakes slammed! Gears ground into reverse, andtires madly spun the Jag back to the spot from where the brick had beenthrown.

Josh jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid and pushed him up against aparked car. He shouted at the kid, "What was that all about and who are you?Just what the heck are you doing?" Building up a head of steam, he went on."That's my new Jag, that brick you threw is gonna cost you a lot of money.Why did you throw it?"

"Please, mister, please...I'm sorry! I didn't know what else to do!" pleadedthe youngster. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop!" Tearswere dripping down the boy's chin as he pointed around the parked car. "It'smy brother, mister," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of hiswheelchair and I can't lift him up." Sobbing, the boy asked the executive,"Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt andhe's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the young executive tried desperately to swallow therapidly swelling lump in his throat. Straining, he lifted the young man backinto the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes andcuts, checking to see that everything was going to be OK. He then watchedthe younger brother push him down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long walk back to the sleek, black, shining, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE- a long and slow walk. Josh never did fix the side door of his Jag. He keptthe dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has tothrow a brick at him to get his attention.

Some bricks are softer than others. Feel for the bricks of life coming atyou. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God haspositive answers:

You say: "It's impossible."God says: All things are possible. (Luke 18:27) You say: "I'm too tired."God says: I will give you rest. (Matt 11:28-30) You say: "Nobody really loves me."God says: I love you. (John 3:16 & 13:34) You say: "I can't go on."God says: My grace is sufficient. (II Cor 12:9 & Psalm 91:15) You say: "I can't figure things out."God says: I will direct your steps. (Prov 3:5-6) You say: "I can't do it."God says: You can do all things. (Phil 4:13) You say: "I'm not able."God says: I am able. (II Cor 9:8) You say: "It's not worth it."God says: It will be worth it. (Rom 8:28) You say: "I can't forgive myself."God says: I FORGIVE YOU. (I John 1:9 & Rom 8:1) You say: "I can't manage."God says: I will supply all your needs. (Phil 4:19) You say: "I'm afraid."God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear. (2 Tim 1:7) You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated."God says: Cast all your cares on ME. (I Peter 5:7) You say: "I don't have enough faith."God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith. (Rom 12:3) You say: "I'm not smart enough."God says: I give you wisdom. (I Cor 1:30) You say: "I feel all alone."God says: I will never leave you or forsake you. (Heb 13:5) Pass this on, you never know whose life maybe in need of this today! --

Author Unknown