Freeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel Thread ~ YOU ARE SPECIAL! ~ February 27, 2011

The Canteen Crew ^ | February 26, 2011 | Serving The Best Troops In The UNIVERSE AND BEYOND!

[Brad’s Gramma]

 

 

 

 

YOU ARE SPECIAL!

"I don't know why I was even born," the young sailor confided! "I'm ugly. I'm not talented. I've never been what you would call smart. I don't really have any friends. And I can't seem to do anything right. I feel like I've spent my whole life letting people down. Sometimes I wonder if even God could love me!"

That conversation took place more than a decade ago, but I still remember it as if it were yesterday. That one and a lot of others over the years with the same message: "I'm no good; I'm just another loser."

Unfortunately, our society places a great premium on looking good, being popular, and being the best -- or at least being "special." Those who don't quite measure up often feel like that young sailor. Sometimes a person can spend his or her whole life trying to earn acceptance, and still end up an outsider. ... Sometimes even when others really DO care for them and want them to be part of the group! Maybe you have felt that way at times. If not, it's probable that someone you know has... or does.."

Nearly two thousand years ago, the Apostle Paul described how God has made each of us special, given each person a unique combination of "gifts". It was an important message. It must have been. His letters preserve three different variations on that theme, written to three different communities. (You can read his comments in Romans 12, I Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4.) A more recent author phrased it this way: ."

"You Have A Special Message To Deliver"

There is an old Jewish-Christian tradition which says:
God sends each person into this world
With a special message to deliver,
With a special song to sing for others,
With an act of love to bestow.

No one else can speak my message,
Or sing my song, or offer my act of love,
These are entrusted only to me.
According to this tradition,
The message may be spoken,
The song sung, the act of love delivered
Only to a few, or to all the folk in a small town,
Or to all the people in a large city,
Or even to all those in the whole world.

It all depends on God's unique plan for each person.
To which we might add:
The greatest gift of God, one would think,
Is the gift of life.
The greatest sin of humans, it would seem,
Would be to return that gift,
Ungrateful and unopened. Anonymous

If you're feeling down and discouraged today, there's good news. No matter what your appearance, background or position, you're one of God's unique gifts to the rest of us. God loves you, has a special purpose for you, and believes in who you can become. Lift up your heart. Despite all you may have been told, despite all you may have felt, you ARE special after all!

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[ColdOne]

+4ft of snow.......Have a Blessed Lord’s Day Brad’s Gramma!!!! ****hugs****

[oldteen]

Good evening, Hope! *hugs*

Thank you for our nightly pledge!

Have a Blessed Sunday!

[AZamericonnie]

Good evening Coldie....-20????? My goodness, are you just home bound at such temps?

I got a chill just reading that temp! LOL

I can barely imagine the heating bill.

[Winstons Julia]

Thank you for today’s message, Brad’s gramma.

It’s so mighty and so small at the same time.

I often find myself rushed and self-occupied...but I’m better lately.

Sometimes all you have to do is recognize that you are sharing a moment...shopping, running errands...etc....

We can keep our heads down day to day.

But lately, I make a point to lift my head and smile at the people I meet.

Just a simple smile given and reciprocated can make a day good.

[oldteen]

Evenin' Kathy! *hugs*

Hope your day has been a relaxing one!

A Blessed Lord's Day to you and the folks!

[Brad’s Gramma]

Awwwwwwwww......man. I want snow!!!!

[oldteen]

Evenin' ColdOne! *hugs*

God Bless You Military

Amen!

Whoa...it's COLD up there!

[Brad’s Gramma]

What a wonderful attitude...thanks for sharing that.

You know, when we lift our heads and smile at strangers...who KNOWS what type of day they’re having, and what your (our) simple smile....can do for them.

God bless you...thank you so much. Have a BLESSED Lord’s Day!

[oldteen]

Good evening, Connie~! *hugs*

A Sunday of Blessings to you and yours!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Shavua Tov.
Wishing all our Jewish troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
a peaceful and prosperous week.

[Kathy in Alaska]

He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Force, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our G-d from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.

May HASHEM cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighting men from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.

May He lead our enemies under their sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is Hashem, your G-d, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.

G-d bless and keep your children safe, Alouette.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayers for our troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
for a safe and peaceful week ahead.

[oldteen]

Evenin' Deo! *hugs*

I'm good, thanks! And you?

Weather kind of wimped out....it poured yesterday morning but then the sun came out. It's chilly but sunny. But, I hear they had quite a bit of snow in town (we're on the outskirts about 4 miles.)

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

Sorry you didn't get any snow. :-(

Hopefully you can get some next time. :-)

[oldteen]

As long as I don’t have to go anywhere, let it snow! :)

[Jet Jaguar]

Hai. I Promise.

[Army Air Corps]

Hola.

[Brad’s Gramma]

I love it! What a SWEET kitty...and he’s SOOOOOOO serious!

Have a BLESSED Lord’s Day, JJ...

[Army Air Corps]

I amy have to “borrow” that...

[Jet Jaguar]

You too.

HUGZ