One little book I picked up a year or so ago has been illuminating to me.
The book is entitled “Life’s Little Instruction Book.” The book says
that it contains “a few suggestions, observations and reminders on how
to live a happy and rewarding life.” Here are a few of those suggestions
and observations I like.
First,
Never say anything uncomplimentary about another person’s pet.
Preachers and meter readers have a lot in common. We are in and out
of our vehicles a lot and often have to dodge someone’s beloved pet to
go about our job. I have found the smaller the dog the bigger the
ego. Big dogs lick me to death and little dogs try to chew off my
ankles.
Someone
once pointed out that we tend to choose a pet that looks and acts like
we do. We have a cat named Buster that my wife raised from three
days old. He is thirteen now and has lost some of his energy.
His stomach drags the ground and he sometimes naps in the same place for
hours. He likes a bowl of ice cream before bed and enjoys having
his back rubbed.
He and
I have a lot in common. That’s why you never insult another persons
pet.
Second, Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something,
and has lost something. One of the great dangers when troubles
come our way is thinking that nobody has ever been through this before.
Nobody understands. Nobody cares. That is not true at all.
Most of the people I know carry around their own burdens and troubles.
No one
has developed a shot that gives us an immunity from life’s ills and troubles.
We need to be kinder and gentler with those we meet each day.
Third,
Remember that no time spent with your children is ever wasted.
That is true if your children are five or fifty. I have never
heard a person on their death bed say that they wished they had worked
harder of studied more. I have heard many say they wished
they had taken the time to enjoy life more and had spent more time with
their families and watched their children grow into adults.
The book
contains hundreds more. Some are self-explanatory such as “if someone
offers you a breath mint, take it!” Others require a little thought.
Number 808 says: “Do a good job because you want to, not because you have
to. This puts you in charge instead of your boss.”
As Christians
we believe that the Holy Bible is our Little Instruction Book. Whatever
answer you are looking for in life is in there. The problem is many
people do not have any idea where to start looking.
God has
a few suggestions, observations and reminders of His own in His book.
It’s amazing how much smoother life will go for us if we follow the manufacturers
instructions!