Thoughts Of Yesterday

     I am running out of wall and mantle space here in my little home. It seems like almost every square inch of my walls and mantles is now covered with framed photographs. It looks really crowded but happy up there. It is a delight seeing all of those joyful faces smiling down on me.  They are far more beautiful than any wallpaper. My cats, however, have given me more than a few annoyed looks as they walk around the smaller frames on my mantles. It may be they miss their old napping spots or it may be because there are no pictures of them there.

     Either way I am not taking a single frame down. Each one of them is a second of joy frozen forever in time. Each one brings a warm thought of yesterday to my mind and a peaceful smile of happiness to my face. Each one brings a memory of love to my heart and the sweet taste of laughter to my lips. They are all moments of life and light that I cherish.

     Sadly, not every moment of our lives can be as joyful as these beautiful pictures. Some of our thoughts of yesterday are full of pain, grief, and loss. Some of our times on this world are ones of great growth but great suffering as well. Sometimes we stumble, fall, and make mistakes. Sometimes we are hurt by others and sometimes we hurt others as well.

     We can take heart, though, in knowing that "All things work together for good for those who love God." God is always there waiting to help us through our pain and to forgive us when we hurt others. God is always there to see us through our struggles and lead us back to love and joy. God is always there to heal our yesterdays, improve our today, and make our tomorrow blessed.  With His help we can fill the walls and mantles of our hearts, souls, and homes with photos of love and happiness. With His help our thoughts of yesterday, choices today, and plans for tomorrow can all work together to create pictures of Heaven here on Earth.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella ~

[ by: Joseph J. Mazzella (joecool@wirefire.com) -- {used with permission} ]