Importance of Giving Thanks

In life, we cannot control what happens to us but we can always choose how to respond to the things that happen to us. I learnt this lesson the hard way for a brief period in my life. I found myself broke with bills to pay and responsibilities that seemed quite overwhelming. I was between a rock and a very hard place (emphasis added).

My father, sensing that I wasn’t doing pretty well encouraged me to count my blessings. At first I was quite hesitant. It seemed quite strange at first (considering the sour mood I was in) but slowly I started counting them. It didn’t take a while before the heavy invincible load on my back started to lighten. That particular day I not only counted them but gave thanks. It was quite a powerful experience.

Jesus in the scriptures assured us in this life we will always have problems but take heart I have overcome. This clearly proves the point that in this very present life, we will all have problems whether we are believers or not. Paul later in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says that ‘Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live’.

Why should we be thankful?

             Being grateful helps you see more blessings

I have come to discover that there are so many things that we take for granted. We take the people in our lives for granted, life, work and even our health. It’s until these things are gone that we realize how much we took for granted.  For example did you notice the blue sky today? Did you notice the beautiful clods today? Did you notice that you child gave you a sloppy kiss today?

I read an article once that said the more we see things around us the more they become invinsible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world.

      Being grateful makes you healthier and wiser

Counting your blessings gives you an emotional healing. Research has proven countless times that those who live a grateful life live longer and happier.
   There are sad consequences of being ungrateful

Ungrateful people tend to complain a lot. Dissatisfaction drives them and often leads them to a road full of misery. This is where we tend to forget God’s provision over our lives and start focusing on what we don’t have. The Israelites complained a lot after they left Egypt to Moses. There complaints made the Lord displeased by their behavior. God certainly does not like complainers.

Here in Afri-Lift we are so thankful for many things. We are grateful for generous donors and sponsors who give willingly. By doing this they make life better for the underprivileged in the Kenyan society.

In this, we give thanks.

Significance of having dreams

One of my favourite speeches is that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr ‘I Have a Dream’.

Of course the part that stands out to me is ‘I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.’

Unfortunately we live in a world where we tend to judge someone by their looks, their income, the type of house they live in or what nationality they are. We instantly put someone in a box due to our view. Most of the time when we get to know someone better we find out that they are quite a different person after all.

When I see our sponsored children from the Riziki Program or our young men training at the Osiligi Centre all I see is POTENTIAL. Most don’t see potential in themselves and only a few dare to dream about becoming something big.

Another thing I’ve noted is that Dr King said ‘I have a dream today’. The beginning of the year is a great time to set out goals and achievements for 2014. Chatting with our sponsored kids yesterday who we were encouraging to commit to improving their grades, I would often ask ‘What would you like to do in life?’ On the other economic spectrum we were talking with some twenty somethings who had never thought to set goals for the year. January is perfect for doing this so start thinking about these areas:

•      physical (me, I plan to lose a couple of kilos)
•      spiritual (what areas you want to go to in God)
•       mental (what negative thinking do you want to get rid of)
•      education (ways to better yourself)
•       family (things you want to do together) 

If Dr. King hadn’t set it in his heart to bring about radical change in his country it may have taken decades longer to happen.

Personally, I have a dream that our young people will no longer be caught in the cycle of poverty. That they will provide abundantly for their families and their children will know no lack. I dream that our children will get a decent education and then a good job. I dream that every child will know they are created for a purpose and that they are loved by a Heavenly Father.

This year let’s dream bigger and higher than we ever have before. It’s in that faith area where God can work.

Will you join us in faith, prayer and giving in 2014 so our dreams can become a reality?

To our American friends we wish you a happy Martin Luther King Day and that his dream will become a reality:

‘With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.’

Importance of Family

Happy New Year!

We all hope you had a great Christmas break and a fruitful start to the New Year.

Friday last week, we had one of our staff’s daughter come over for a visit. She was to get a ride home with her mother who also happens to be my colleague. While we were all catching up the father (who also works with us) waltzed in the room and broke into a song. We were all in stitches laughing our heads off.  Well all, except the daughter who was turning red due to embarrassment.

One of Africa’s celebrated leaders, Bishop Desmond Tutu once said that you don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you and you to them. There is also an African proverb that says one can choose their friends but they can’t choose their family. No matter how embarrassing they are you will always be related to them.

Family is a very important part of the society. It’s what makes the society.

Why is family that important?

Family is very important as it shapes our development and personality. The family protects your dignity and takes care of your well being. Family also gives us teachings that guide us throughout our lives and this are the values we carry everywhere we go. In addition, your family comes to your aid during hard times.

Dr. Wilson in his article ‘The Family Unit and its Importance’ describes the family not only as the basic. It is also the basic sexual unit, the basic child-raising unit, the basic communication unit, and the basic all-round fun and friendship unit.

I recently learnt that people with good family relationships live longer and cope better with stress. Good relationships also enhance the body’s immunity.

Good relationships in a family do not automatically happen. One has to put some effort into it just like any other relationship.  This will require one to find the joy, love and balancing time with them.

Great relationships in a family are based on how you feel or your attitude. Your attitude basically determines what you get in life. It determines how you will react to those around you and how to handle various circumstances in life.

I believe that no matter what your family is like, your attitude towards they will determine what kind of relationships you will have with them. Remember this unit of life called family will shape your personality and affect your development in life.

Think of it, if you have a lousy attitude you will get a negative family relationship. If you choose to love your family despite their shortcomings and accept them just the way they are, then you are certainly off to a great start in life.

So here is a challenge for this year. Treat your family differently. Call them more frequently and not only on the holidays. Arrange mini-coffee dates. Kiss your wife or husband more often. Pat your kids on their back and whisper you love them in their ears often.

Tell me what happens. I surely will.