Lately, I keep asking myself the same question every morning.
What can I do today that’s really going to matter in the long run?
Without getting too philosophical, this little question aligns the day with my real values. This personal challenge helps me make little choices that define the most important issues. Here are the answers I’m banking on today:
I choose to love my family. This means building them up through kind words, service, and my own positive example. Today is a school day, so I’ll get at least 45 minutes of car time to make that happen for my kids.
I choose to make my work beautiful. Even the smallest tasks can become art and bring glory to God. When we do little projects the right way, it can make a positive impact in the world. So today I’m working on my lesson plan for this weekend, do I have the courage to do something amazing?
I choose to help others matter too. What if I could multiply good through my actions? What if my positive choices could be amplified across thousands of other lives? It’s Tuesday, so I’m about to email 25,000 readers and share this article for the first time.
I choose to follow Jesus’ example. I’ve listed this last, but it’s the impulse behind this whole list. He’s the supreme example of living for others. Every moment walking in his steps will never be wasted. I’m not sure where this one will lead today, but I’m excited to find out.
Now the reality check. Anyone who knows me offline can debunk this list in a few minutes. I would be a hypocrite to pretend like I always get these things right. That’s the problem with doing hard things, we often fail and need the grace of God to wrap around our puny efforts.
But what’s my other option? I could just give up and let the little frustrations of life push me around. Then, when it’s all over, I could hope that something good would be buried in the mess.
Let me know what you think, but I’ll keep trying to make today count.
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Hello, You have been given a gift from God to touch so many! Your words inspire me to give more to the children & also examine where I could be even more help to the Kingdom of Christ. As for anyone around you bringing you down just remember perfection is *rarely* achieved here. But keep doing the great work.
God Bless
Wonderful, Wonderful thoughts Tony. Thank you and God bless you. Tony, I have been taking care of children for the past ten years (creche/nursery), I want to move into children ministry, Can you please give me some advice..
everyone works for CHRIST is not in vain,as long as the joy of the LORD IS IN OUR HEART..you minister this website well i know GOD has a great purpose on this ministry and to you as the wholeness of you..PRAISING GOD IN OUR LIVES EVERYDAY IS ENOUGH but as we go along to follow CHRIST all things followed like doing good works to our friends and relatives and as well as our neighbors,,,thru evangelize them THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST….
Good list! I try to do about the same each day. I try to give out tracts whenever I eat out. I also mail encouragement cards with scripture. Like you, I am not 100% on top of it. When I do do something positive for someone else, family included, my day is brighter. I thank God for you and your ministry. You are a light in this dark world.
This is very great, i love it. keep it up.
Thanks! Tony ji it is very good thinks that you have shared.
really it is very blessing for me
may God Bless you.
I think it’s important to at least make the best effort possible to put God as number one on our priority list, and everything else will fall into place. Many times I fall short in that area, and I’m my worst critic. I just thank God for His mercy and loving kindness.
Hi dear Tony
Hoping you’re having a sunny day -outside or inside your heart -today with your family !! You know what you wrote was just the right thing for me now …. So important not to let frustration get to you … especially not from christian ones …
Thanks so much and do hope you realise how special you are !
May your smile be shining !
I have chosen to talk to my family every day mostly after supper,also i pray to God to guide me stay focused to my long term programs.More so I follow Jesus example for by his strength i get committed to my work.
Do my work well without any supervision from my boss
I work as a teacher for both children and adults. I love serving God through the people that He created and need my services. I impart knowledge and skills to them which i have received from my creator.
I would thank you Kummer for helping me know the lesson plans for Sunday school kids. Am a Sunday School teacher and am trying to make some lesson plan for my lovely kids at my church.
This is profound. I’m going to try it myself and pray for God’s help because I know it wont be easy.
Hi Thanks for sharing your views without hesitating, I complete agree with u in keep trying to be transformed to transform lives. If we quit then we are failures for ever. In our little steps of improvement in all the areas God will help us. Thank u
Thank you. I think firstly it is great to re-focus and you prompted me to do that. And the choosing part is necessary for anything to change.
Personally I find I am making much more progress since I started reading points likethat daily before I go out and take on the world.
Inspiring choices that change my life. Thank you.
It was a very nice sharing….i think I am like that also : ) …anyway, I pray to God to continue to give you the desires of your heart…God bless you in everything that you will do…. : )
thanks for your message that you reminded me to do something for pleasing God in order to keep in teaching children and not to be discourage.
Being a good example to the children is a great things to help them that they will believe God’s word, they will follow as what we taught them. Through our lives, they could see the possible result wether negative or positive result. We will become effective in the ministry God entrusted to us.
To loving our family, we need to spend time w/ them to communicate to each other and to share our joyful day and our burdens.
i choose to pray and ask GOD that HE will still use me in any activities and services that can glorify His name. When i give time to church, i felt so happy. I would say, ” Thank You LORD, you use me again”. I remember what our youth pastor, Zoe Lou Guasa used to say, ” it is a privilege that GOD use as in His ministry. He can find and use other person if you are not willing. He chooses to use you as His partners, you are so LUCKY”. Since then, these phrases became my inspiration every time i feel tired and weak in doing God’s work.
I had a mentor years ago who told me to choose each morning, be-fore rolling out of bed, to believe God, walk in faith, BEFORE the day even started. This includes inviting the Holy Spirit to be in the driver’s seat. When I start my day with my first thought of God and giving Him my day, and living it in faith, I trust that His work will be done through me, no matter what that is. Cleaning the house, cooking meals, etc. take on a whole new meaning. Even if it is just raising my children to walk with the Lord, I know that what I do has value to Him and honors Him.
Dear Tony,
I would say that is a great effort you’re putting in there. Congratulations!
For me I would say I try to follow Jesus’ example. Of cause not by my might nor by me strength. Its just by His grace.
I try to live every minute, second of my day in life by asking myself this question. If Jesus was to face the situation I’m in now, how would He have reacted.
Walking in his steps is not easy, but He has assured me that He will never leave me nor forsake me. And I believe Him.
I try to help out with family members as best as I could both in cash and kind.
I take my ministry as serious as I can and always make sure my children are fed well with the word of God every Sunday. Lesson preparation I must say sometimes is not easy, but grace has carried as through.Since God has given these children to take off.
I will also agree with you, I would be a hypocrite to pretend like I always get these things right. I often fall short but the grace of God always carry me through.
I am not yet married and have no children now so I must say I have no excuse or cause to complain.
God Give me all the strength.
finding this website was a blessing to me, its amazing hw so many people take little ministry for children and the way u have outlined everythin is a blessing and very helpful as i am new in the children’s ministry and this has really gave me insight and confidence.
thank u
Tony,
I loved your article it was so honest and to the point.Things Jesus would want us all to do, I think. Something we all have to keep in mind. I’m going to share it with my Sunday School teachers.
Blessings and thanks,
Diane Jiorle
Director ofChildren & Family Ministries
Reformed Church of Bushkill
Hi Tony thanks for info on making today count. It was very encouraging i love to think about positive challenges . This WAY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE BAD IN LIFE TO OUT WEIGHT THE GOOD. WHICH WE KNOW THAT TO OVER COME EVIL IS TO REPLACE IT WITH GODS GOODNESS. THANKS FOR HELPING MAKE MY DAY. ROBIN
First and foremost give God thanks, continous love and care for my families at church and at home and everyone I come in contact with. With God all these are possible.
I really enjoy the resources and Bible lessons you provide. I use them often in Bible Study and Sunday School with the youth. Thank you so much for sharing.
Dear Tony,
With all that is stated above and probably your vision/focus for the day, …for me daily submission to the cross can help to achieve what matters most daily also with the help of the Holy Spirit. It is written “The horse is ready for battle but safety is of the Lord”. Submission to God matters to achieve today’s goal.
One thing I know for sure is dat with God on your side EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE good lucky
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