Your circumstances will turn out better than expected

A few years ago, after a food drive that I coordinated for a local meal center, I took my daughters who were with me to the home of a dog breeder. This woman is a small . . .

A few years ago, after a food drive that I coordinated for a local meal center, I took my daughters who were with me to the home of a dog breeder. This woman is a small, hobbybreeder of

Chihuahuas.

I had contacted the breeder months before. And she said that she would call me when she had available puppies. So, in late October, one of her

Chihuahuas had six puppies; three boys and three girls. Although the puppies were only ten days old, the breeder called and said we could stop by her home and see them.

As my children and I walked into her kitchen, we glanced toward the corner of the room. The puppies were all sleeping in a playpen. At first glimpse, they looked like tiny hamsters. Lined up all in a row, their minute eyes were not even open yet.

Quite taken with the puppies, my youngest daughter chose a sweet, sable-colored girl puppy.

But there was no way to tell what her temperament would be; what she’d look like; or if she’d get along with our other animals. However, by faith, we chose her, and I gave the breeder a deposit.

Seven weeks later, we went back to the breeder’s home. With excitement, we brought the puppy home and named her Sadie. We had no idea how it would turn out. Yet, the result was better than expected.

Maybe today you are scared, uncertain, and you wonder if your situation will ever get better.

But like our experience with Sadie, your circumstances will turn out better than expected.

The challenge you are facing will not break you. It will make you! Hence, if one dream didn’t work out, dream another. If you got knocked down, get back up. Keep on, keeping on. There is something great in store for you.

So, don’t allow fears or insecurities to keep you from your best. Shake off self-condemnation, and that “can’t-do” mentality. Do not focus on so-called weaknesses or past mistakes. Be positive toward yourself. Let past blunders go and start feeling good about who you are and where you are going. We all have areas to improve, but that shouldn’t stop us from liking who we are today. Accentuate the positive. Recall the hundreds of outstanding qualities you have and each trait you may have to work on a bit. Are you genuinely kind toward others? Are you encouraging and helpful? Are you a loyal friend? You have so much right with you. Go through this day feeling good about you!

Spread good cheer. Be around those who look on the bright side. Dwell on pleasant things, grand accomplishments and joyful expectations. Challenge yourself to shed unhealthy habits. Break away from abusive situations. See yourself victorious, conquering difficulties, full of hope. Be resilient, work hard and stay motivated. There is no limit to what you can achieve.

I read in the Bible how four lepers were sitting at the entrance of the gate of Samaria. Because of their incurable disease, the Bible tells us that they were outcasts from

society.

The lepers had every reason to be negative and bitter. They were isolated, considered impure and were rejected, neglected, and probably, nobody cared what would become of them.

The story continues; and as a result of the Syrian invasion, there was a severe famine in Israel. And these lepers, along with the others in the city, were starving.

It was a desperate situation. Circumstances were extremely difficult. And the lepers didn’t have much of a reason to be hopeful. But unlike the rest of Samaria, these four lepers decided to do something rather than sit at the gate and starve. They elected not to lag around in self-pity and complain about the hunger that was overtaking them. Despite all that was against them, they didn’t give up on their life.