Happy Monday.
Do you like parties? Well, I was planning one a few days ago.
As I thought and planned the time, the decor, the people I would invite, my mind suddenly went to a phone call I had received the day before.
A precious young friend had called to tell me about her recent trip to Africa. Her words were, “it was an assault on all the senses…the sight and smells.” On the other hand, she described the people–happy, content, sweet! Hmm! Doesn’t compute!
Then my mind went to last Sunday when a young woman told us of her trip to Haiti, from which she had just returned. It’s one of the poorest countries in the world.
In her words though, they are happy with the smallest things, such as the gift of a pencil. Or even a smile, a touch.
My thoughts were really wandering as I thought back to a guest in our Sunday school who was a Holocaust survivor.
He and his family had been taken from their home when he was a very young child.
Much of his family died in death camps of the Nazis.
He ended up living in a sewer for a time. His only food, rats and bugs.
His message was “forgiveness” and his words and manner revealed he knew the meaning of it. Wow!
I tried to return to my original plans. However, I decided to cancel my party.
It was going to be a “Pity Party” and a humdinger at that! I’ve had them before and I remember, no one came but me and I didn’t even want to be there.
I’m sure you get the point.
My “poor me” time turned to “how can I say thanks” time.
When my thoughts got right, my feelings followed. Have you ever been there?
Someone has said, “If you are a thinking Christian, you will be a joyful Christian.”
Happiness depends less upon our circumstances than upon our thinking.
I found this quote from a “Women of Faith” speaker:
“The key to contentment is to consider.
Consider who you are and be satisfied.
Consider what you have and be satisfied.
Consider what God is doing and be satisfied.”
–Luci Swindoll
I’m cancelling those parties for the foreseeable future with God’s help. Will you?
Monday with Beverly 
Thank you for your always encouraging posts! I love you. 🙂
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Thank you for this reminder! I think there are a couple of “parties” I have been wanting lately that need to be cancelled! You are such a blessing; your wisdom is so timely in my life!
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Be happy with what you have and you will have plenty to be happy about…Irish (Mary Englebreit.
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Thank you for that reminder!! Oh how we forget to be thankful! Thank you also for being transparent and sharing yourself with us who read your blog! You have always been a blessing and wonderful example!! I needed this!
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Sadly, I’ve thrown a few of those “pity” parties too. With God’s help may we learn to be content. We are so blessed! I love you!
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Thank you so much for that little pep-talk Mrs. Hyles. I so love and miss you, but am thankful for your weekly encouragement! Jary Lynn Storm
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Yes! I will cancel mine, too…until I forget this reminder again!!!! Thank you. You are such a blessing & help.
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I too visited Haiti/Dom. Rep. A few years ago and sat on a beach watching 2 boys (brothers) playing with a rusted rim of a bicycle. Rolling it back and forth. Laughing! A while later their mom called them to help with the laundry which consisted of a huge pot in the front yard. They immediately dropped their play and “HAPPILY” went to help mom. I thought back to kids in the US and tried to imagine the same. What a laugh. We are in deep trouble if our kids are eventually going to run this country. But…. God bless
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Thanks. This is such a blessing. No parties scheduled. Thanks again. As much as I miss Dick and as lonely as I sometimes am. I am blessed. Love you and blessed to know you, thank you for being there for me in Hammond as a young wife and mother. Carole Aldrich
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Thank you so much for your words today! I needed them, I was about to plan one of those parties, but now I am not going to. What a wonderful example you are to all of us. Have a great day, God bless you, and love ya. Mrs. Lee Ann Gray
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Thank you Mrs. Hyles for continuing to be a blessing and testimony! I thank God for your Monday morning messages, they are a wonderful start to the week!
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That is the BEST Monday post for me today! Thank you!
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Dear Mrs. Hyles,
How amazing this column is! My power just went out, I am sitting in the dark typing this, and it is raining. It is the first day back to work after summer break. I was feeling just a little sorry for myself, then this wonderful reminder of everything that God has done for me pops up on my computer screen. I guess I had better cancel my party, too. I am very thankful for you. I am thankful that you have been in my life since 1987. Love, always. Debby
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So beautifully put. Thank you
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Mrs Hyles, Oh so good. Thank you.
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