The Watchman's Diary

Psalm 25: 1-7

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed. Let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, Let no one who waits on you be ashamed. Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindness. For they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions. According to Your mercy, remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Lord (NKJV).

Some stories are borne from the imagination of those who dream of things outside the ordinary; some are born from actions and the conversations we engage in each day. Ask yourself this, “Are my actions creating the story I would like to have told and the end of my life?”  Our personalities are often shaped by the environment in which we spend much of our time, but recognizing a shift in our behavior is necessary for us to continuously reposition ourselves and do what is right. The caring and empathetic heart is often overburdened, longing, and confused. Their stories are often filled with pain and suffering because of what is they see and hear, not necessarily because of a personal experience. As we recklessly navigate through life, stepping on others and paying attention only to our needs, there are those who continue to clean up the mess we leave behind. Sadly, they are often the ones who continue to love and care for us; the ones who have managed to remove the blindfold; whose hearts carry the burden of our actions; whose stories may never be told.

Pretending to care has only the power to destroy; yourself and those to whom you pretend; but God searches the heart and protects his children. False promises and fake notions carry a sentiment unlike that of genuinely conceived thought and action, making you less notable and more skeptical than your selfish motives intended. Try this for a change; love even when you are not loved, smile even when it hurts, care even when others don’t, and give even when things are withheld. A destiny awaits each of us but trying to manipulate our own paths may only be futile; as God searches the heart, so does He direct our paths. Each day we are given is another chance to forgive those who have wronged us and another day to show others that we care. Don’t let your story be an example of what not to do. Rest on your pillow each night knowing that you’ve added the right words to that days’ page and rise with fresh thoughts and a free spirit. Life is short but our stories live on, what will you write today?

Written 3/5/2010, modified 6/5/2014