Extraordinary blessings are in your future

In the (ast 9illage area of )lint, 0ichigan, in the mid- s, a baby boy was born without a right hand. +owever, as he grew up, he refused to let his limitation pigeonhole him to think, “The odds are against me,” and “I’ll just settle here.”

6o, the boy decided to ignore his disability.

6ometimes, when things go wrong or we encounter challenges, we may want to go to our room and hide. )or it can be easy to come up with excuses, to sink back in despair, and settle for second best.

But not this boy. 5egardless of what he faced, this youngster followed the dreams of his heart.

At an early age, the boy loved to play sports and particularly baseball. :ith due diligence, he developed extraordinary hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. This allowed the boy to do with one hand what others did with two hands. +e was diligent, hard-working and trained relentlessly, and even pretended to be some of his favorite pitchers.

In grade school, the boy played /ittle /eague. 3eople would tell him that his playing days would probably end there. 1onetheless, the youngster disregarded the skeptics. 1or, did the boy pay attention to the critics. 5ather, he used his keen mind and imagined himself becoming a successful athlete.

Daily, the boy planned. +e believed, he dreamed, and he allowed his imagination to bring him new insights and ideas. 0oreover, the boy made the choice to persist, taking action to formulate his dreams into a reality. And his belief, mental toughness and tenacity won out.

-im Abbott went on to a successful career pitching major league baseball. In an interview, Abbott said,

“1o matter where the road takes you, don’t give up until you know in your heart you have done everything you possibly could to make your dreams come true. You owe nothing to disability, ignore it. :hen you fail, get back up and try again. /eave no room for an excuse.”

And now, -im Abbott is an inspiring role-model to people worldwide.

In one form or another, the odds could be against you. But are you letting your circumstances talk you out of living the life of your dreams"

5emember, if you don’t give up, it’s ama]ing what can happen.

A serviceman who is about to be deployed again wrote, “It’s an old saying, but it is true If you believe in God and in yourself, you can do anything.”

6o, do not settle for mediocre, give up or stop pursuing your dreams. God is not finished with the great plans +e has for you. In our home, I like to decorate with fresh flowers and plants. Though, last week, I didn’t tend to them. Thus, when I saw the flowers, they were withered and looked as if they had died. Yet all it took was a little water and plant food, and the flowers and plants soon came back to life.

In the same way, your dreams may have been dormant for a while. But like the flowers in my home, your dreams can come back to life. There are many more possibilities ahead. God wants you to press forward. +e is with you. 6o, with renewed strength and faithful effort, take hold of God’s +and and declare

“I will not quit.”

“I will not give up.”

“I will press through and become all that God wants me to be.”

:ith God, the possibilities are endless. 6o have faith in God’s good plan for your life, and have confidence in yourself and in your bright future to keep on following your aspirations. )or God is saying to you today “Behold, I have set before you an opened door, which no one is able to shut…” 5evelations 3 8 .

And so, persevere “&ommit your actions to the /ord and your plans will succeed.” 3roverbs 1 3 Your time for happiness and success is on its way.

You might have been knocked down. 6till, you must get back up again. God is going to transform your situation and give you another chance.

Your goals may not have happened yet. But keep looking for new opportunities, and they will soon come to pass.

You could have been turned down for a position. Keep working hard and being your best. Because one of these days, another person with a new attitude can be sitting at the helm and offer you the job of your dreams.

2bstacles may be in your path. 1evertheless, refuse to quit. &ontinue on. You will soon find a way around them, and you’ll be victorious.

2r else, you might have been wronged. /et the unfair situations go and move forward with grace and dignity. Your days ahead will be filled with new friends, exciting experiences and unbridled joy.

In the Bible, it describes the of David. +e was a simple shepherd boy. Year after year, David worked in the fields tending his father’s sheep. David’s journey was difficult. It took time. Yet, David persevered. All the while, God’s intricate +and of favor was at work. )or God was preparing David for +is purpose. Then, at the appointed hour, David became king of Israel.

-ust as God had big plans for David, +e has big plans for you, too. And, likewise, your challenges may actually be opportunities that boost you to an exciting, newfound place.

A while ago at a dance recital, my daughter was on stage performing a tap routine. 6urprisingly, in the middle of her routine, suddenly, the music skipped. I was sitting to the right of the stage, and my daughter turned to look at me. As our eyes met, she seemed to ask, “:hat do I do next"” Immediately, I smiled, nodded enthusiastically and clapped my hands, as if to say, “Keep on going…” Despite difficulties that were out of her control, my daughter continued dancing. And, confidently, she finished her routine.

6o let that be my encouragement to you today “Keep on going ” (xtraordinary blessings are in your future. Do your part… and God will do the rest