Some 30 years after I first heard that statement/question, I think the enormity of what it means is finally coming to fruition. I don't know if my grandfather really meant any lasting impact when he said it to me, or if he really had any kind of understanding himself. Perhaps he was only just being my grandpa in the special way he always was. But as is usually said of mean or curse things we say to or about others, you can never erase what you have said. So it is with these words. I believe them to be the gentle currents that have blown steadily throughout my life, stirring up storms of discovery, whisking me into the arms of my Savior - giving me a future I don't deserve, nor could ever earn.

And it the future this statement speaks to. As with each sunrise, the dawn of yet another day, life begins again. I believe God gave us night and day to demonstrate the power of re-birth. The night signifies death, and ending. The beauty of the dawn signifies the bursting forth of life even from death. So it is with God's creatures. Each dusk gives us the opportunity to die to what we are, or were. Each dawn gives us the opportunity to begin a new life. We awake each day with the choice to continue the past, our sin, our meaningless pursuits, or begin anew, correcting poor attitudes and putting away childish pursuits (1 Corinthians 13:11).

We must, if we are to make sense of a senseless world, begin each day with a personal commitment to better ourselves. Not in the sense of outward accomplishment, but rather a renewed inward view of what and who we are, and what we are meant to be. The beauty of a perfect looking apple pie, or the new and innovative architectural design of a building, in the end mean nothing if what is on the inside is not what it is supposed to, or meant to, be; The taste may be bitter, and the structure may be weak and fall. So it is with us. We choose each day whether to build upon on the foundation of a yesterday devoid of meaning, devoid of God, resting only on our selfish beliefs in ourselves as the products of some cosmic accident, or we take an honest note of our conscience and recognize the signature of a Creator upon our souls.

The same morning I finished writing the above, my wife emailed me the following she had just received. So, to put what I have said another way;

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark on a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!

Have a great day.... Unless you have other plans!