Today I Will Make a Difference
by Max Lucado
Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.
I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.
I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s OK to stumble… . I will get up. It’s OK to fail… . I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.
I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.
Today I will make a difference.
I am glad I read this email this morning.
This needs to be my mantra.
Give time to GOD, family and friends.
Throw away ANYTHING that interfers.
Thanks for your words. I love your book and have a stack.
Bobbie
Thank you for this wonderful article. You have reminded me again of the beauty of being alive, healthy and loved.
God bless you,
Patricia
Proverbs 27:19 — As in water the face is reflected as a face, so a person’s heart reflects the person.
Philippians 4:8 — Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy––meditate on these things.
Thank you for your take on His truth; bless you and all you love now and always.
As I struggle with a recent business betrayal, and how I will pay this month’s bills, a reminder of God’s constant care for me is just what I needed. A friend once told me that “God blesses our efforts”, and I cannot receive that blessing by sitting here feeling sorry for myself. Thanks, Max. Sam
This was another great article. Such an aspiring thing to read every morning. We are turly blesses for what the Lord gives us everyday. Let us value our friends & family, and live life for today !
I struggle everyday with the thought of losing my husband in a divorce for I still love him. My hope is always to be postive in the sense that God will make things better and will bless me and help me to overcome my grief. I am fortunate to know that God is with me every step of the way and that each day is a blessing for what I do have in my life one of which is God.
This really speaks to the way I’ve been feeling lately. No more poor me, pity parties!
I refuse to be a victim or accept defeat and depression. God has always provided what we need and always will.
This is a very appropriate topic for this time of year. Post-holiday blues can set in and it’s so easy to forget to count our blessings.
Thank you so much for this inspirational piece.
God Bless you for writing this message. Its very inspiring. I pray God continues to Bless you as you Bless others.
thanks for the message. we sometimes forget or get to busy to remember what things are most important. God and family and the Love of them and for them both. With these, all things are possible.
I send this to all my staff which is a mix of religions.
I trully believe in this and will contiune to do and commuicate to
our brothers and sisters.
Have a great day,
Ron
What a wonderful prayer! Thanks, Gi. So when can I have my five minutes with you?
I love you.
This is so profound and simple at the same time. I have sent this on to several others, we need more of this in ourselves and others. Thanks for spending the time to prepare and put all these reflections and prayers on your website. It is truly appreciated.
How wonderful it would be if we were optimistic and inspired 24/7, if we believed 365, and if we chose to make a difference for life – one day at a time. I truly belive that YES WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!! But only with the help of God. Let’s use all the resourses God presents to us, and let’s thank The Lord for people and authors who reinforce all that we know, but refuse to acknowledge.
Chose to make a DIFFERENCE every day, and be HAPPY for ever.
Blessings,
Sandra R.
“The Master Speaks of God’s Love” copyright 2008 John J. Rigo upcoming charity-centered poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”
The night sky was a deep black with blazing stars over the Master and His disciples,
this particular night along the sea of Galilee.
It was a time of quiet comtemplation of the beauty of God’s work.
Within the group of His disciples, one disciple had a troubling question.
With reverence he approached the Master with his questions.
“Does God’s Love for us have bounds when remembering our sins in His Eternal Memory?” asked the disciple quietly, as to not disturb the other men in the group.
The Master lifted His Head toward the night sky and pointed His finger to a bright star saying, “As you look upon the stars in the night sky, many have long changed in form,
and are no more.
The distance is so great in the travel of that light,
that we still see those suns prior to their changing of form.
So in the breath of God’s Love for us,
it is also beyond the width, depth and height of such distances from us.
Since His love for us is unconditional,
so is His memory of our sins.
In asking His forgiveness of our sins,
their memory no longer exists in eternity.”
So spoke that night,
the Master of My life.
Reading that message gives me the courage to press on and face tomorrow like a new beginning, and putting the failures of yesterday behind me. I will not allow fear to be the master of my life and my desire to succeed. I am willing to take chances and I am willing to step out on nothing but pure faith; knowing that God is there for me and with me to provide for me and my family, and guide us through the wilderness and into the land of light.