It’s the time of ‘even more’

As winter came upon a small New England town, a compassionate young boy was outside in his backyard late one afternoon. There he found a little tan bird lying hurt near a large oak tree.

With kind, but concerned eyes and uneasiness in his voice, the boy called out to his father for help. The father came running toward the boy. And the two dropped down to their knees on the frozen ground next to the struggling, innocent bird.

The sky grew darker and, so, with gentle hands, the father lifted the little bird and carried it inside their home. They placed it on a soft blanket in a cardboard box. The boy turned to his father and asked, “What’s wrong with the bird, dad?” Turning to his son, the father shook his head and uttered, “I’m not sure.”

For the next hour, with a sweet, warm gaze, the boy watched the tiny bird. Standing back, soon, the father and son discovered that the bird had an in- jured wing and thus, was unable to fly.

Day by day, the family nursed the bird back to health. Wondrously, the bird recovered.

A small smile tugged at the boy’s lips. And the father and son’s faces lit up as they carefully brought the bird outside. They watched in awe at the bird’s return to the sky as it flew higher and better than before.

Have you, like the little bird, felt hurt, broken and then lost your strength to persist forward?

Sometimes, our plans don’t go the way we hope. Maybe, you have experi- enced ongoing disappointments, you’re facing a difficulty or someone hurt you. Or you’re in a low place or are experiencing the soul-wrenching pain of loneliness.

“Will I ever heal or mend?” you could ask yourself. For your joy, enthusiasm and zest for living seemed to have vanished, and you think, “My best years are over.”

But today, I am here to encourage you: You can rebuild your life and dream again. God is on your side. He has not forgotten you and nothing is beyond His ability to intervene. Let go of past hurts and stop thinking about all of the reasons why things are not going to work out for the future. Today can be a turning point. You will heal. Your heart can mend. Victory will be yours. And you will be happy once more. God is going to bring forth new opportunities for you. His grace will override the pains of the past. God wants to revive your dreams. So receive the total restoration that God has in store and, like that little bird, you will emerge better than before.

Thus, get up and get moving on with your life. God has new, incredible blessings in your future, beyond your highest aspirations. So never condemn or undervalue yourself, or you can end up settling for less than God’s best for you.

It’s a new beginning. This is the time of ‘even more.’ And so:

•Look to God and be joyful again. God is directing your steps and breakthroughs are now being set into motion. So, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33).

•Persist to make your dreams come true again. Keep your optimism and enthusiasm going strong; you could be one day away from success. “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

•Be at peace and smile again. Pray with sincere expectation, for soon you’ll experience God’s blessing

in an amazing, new way. “Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.” (Philippians 4:6).

Don’t let any wrong thoughts into your mind. When unconstructive thoughts come into view, try this approach: Choose positive phrases to distract any negative beliefs. Build a new habit of thought by saying statements such as, “I’m strong,” “God’s plans for me are for good,” “I will prevail,” “Something amazing is on the verge of happening,” “I have everincreasing good health,” “God has me in the palm of His hand,” “Peace reigns in my heart,” and “I am loved.” Continue to acknowledge the good, and the good will increase.

So be calm. Hope on in prayer, faith and trust. And daily, ponder upon the good and expect positive results. For if you change your mind-set from negative to positive, the condition or difficulty you’re facing will change, too.

Last week, I was driving on the highway to a business meeting. There was quite a bit of traffic. Then, I noticed that the car in front of me had a tire on the back of the vehicle with a tire cover on it. As I approached the car, I saw that the tire cover had some words on it that read, “One Life. Live it.”

That’s my message for you in the New Year: “One Life. Live it.”

Accordingly, start each morning with prayer and ask God to open the way to letting His perfect will be done. It’s the time of ‘even more.’ And God has great things in store. So believe in yourself and utilize the splendid gifts within you. And always count your many blessings.

Everyday listen to God’s voice that says, God says you are “More than a conqueror.” (Romans 8:38), you’re “Strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:11). “You’re fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14). You are “Blessed coming in and blessed going out.” (Deuteronomy 28:6). And God says, “He hath not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:8).

The best days of our lives are right now! Let’s live them!

Catherine GalassoVigorito Columnist