# 37 Weakness

As we grow older it becomes very apparent that several things that were not a chore a few years ago have become...well more difficult. Many of us have had medical operations that may have altered the original organization of things. Hips, knees, and backs seem to take a little longer to "spring" into action. With this weakness we are reminded to slow down and depend on others at times. Also time to slow down and reflect on our faith and Gods presence in our lives.

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.
George Washington Carver 

2 Corinthians 12
I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

# 36 Age

Age is just a number. I have the luxury of  being able see what I can become by watching my older brothers. Sixty looked like the end of the road when you were 20! Now that I am in my 50's seventy doesn't look so bad. A few things I have observed will keep you young:
Stay busy     Take care of your health     Enjoy your family every day     Keep learning

Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.
Victor Hugo 

Proverbs 20: 16
29 The glory of youths is their strength,
    but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair.

# 35 Work

Work provides dignity. We all like to think that we matter in some small way in the world. By working we can measure our contributions to society. I think it is a shame that so many people today are able to work but choose to let someone else take care of them. It is healthy to be productive and complete even a small project. I am pretty sure I will never retire. I may quit working at my present job someday

 but I will continue to work at something...Blogger? Winemaker? Photographer? Speaker?

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
Thomas A. Edison 

Proverbs 16: 2-3
2 All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.

# 34 Trespass

One of my photo subjects always seems to be a version of this Old English sign I keep seeing..I think it comes from the french translation "tree's passing"...I see them all the time in the woods......hahahaha
All kidding aside what does it mean to you to "trespass" against someone?
 Having a hard time coming up with any?
OK how about thinking of when people "trespass" against you.....

We should always consider the golden rule in this discussion. Do unto others as as you would have them do unto you.
Forgiveness is not an easy thing, but we all need forgive and be forgiven!

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.
Lewis B. Smedes 



Mathew 6

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

# 33 Compassion

Do you show compassion? It is easy to pile on when you catch some one in a mistake. I think we all have gone overboard at one time or another with the holier than thou attitude. Consider giving someone compassion in those situations. We may be there sooner than we think.

Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation.
Henry Ward Beecher 

Psalm 103:11-14
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far he removes our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion for his children,
    so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
14 For he knows how we were made;
    he remembers that we are dust.
11 

# 32 Network

Networking is really just understanding. If you know yourself and your strengths..and weaknesses you can be a blessing to others. If you understand your friends and neighbors you can help build up each of them by sharing your understanding. The best way to do this is by listening!

It is not our purpose to become each other; it is to recognize each other, to learn to see the other and honor him for what he is.
Hermann Hesse 


Sirach 6
33 If you love to listen you will gain knowledge,
    and if you pay attention you will become wise.
34 Stand in the company of the elders.
    Who is wise? Attach yourself to such a one.
35 Be ready to listen to every godly discourse,
    and let no wise proverbs escape you.
36 If you see an intelligent person, rise early to visit him;
    let your foot wear out his doorstep.

# 31 Knowlege

Learning  is one thing we can do all of our life. When is the last time you read a good book? It is said the we use only a fraction of our brains capacity. By gaining knowledge in new areas we will have more to discuss than the weather and who won the game last night!

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

Confucius 

Proverbs 15:14

The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

Proverbs 22:12

The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the faithless.