What's Your Excuse, Now?

Sometimes, we tend to find excuses for the things that don't work out for us. We tend to blame others instead of taking responsibility for our actions, which only elevates the excuses. This behavior also applies to standing up for what is right. We often remain silent and wait for someone else to take the initiative instead of holding ourselves accountable. "What's your excuse, now?" is about empowering ourselves to make choices that will help us feel comfortable and confident in our skin.

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Location: South Carolina, United States

Saturday, August 17, 2024

Lucky, The Little Shadow

Once upon a time, around two thousand years ago, a little shadow was born in a barn. A bright, shining star was over the barn, but a little, timid shadow was connected to a baby boy. The room was full of animals, and his parents wrapped the baby boy in swaddling clothes in a manger. They were tight pieces of cloth to cover the baby. There were a lot of people crowded around. The little shadow was afraid, so it hid behind the baby boy. God told him this baby was special before he was born, but he didn’t understand why. All babies are unique, but this one will have to save humanity. There was something about him, and he decided to stay as close as possible and as long as he could be next to the baby boy. The little shadow felt peaceful and assured he would never leave the baby’s side.

 

Over the years, he and the baby grew, and Lucky, once timid, became very confident being next to Jesus as they grew. Lucky saw that Jesus was making things better for the people around him, and this realization filled him with a sense of growth and inspiration. He saw how much Jesus loved everybody. Lucky remembered when Jesus separated from his family and was found in the temple. His parents were worried that he was lost and about his safety. Jesus told his mother that He was about his Father’s business. He loved his mother, Mary, but he will always obey his heavenly father, as he will obey his earthly father, Joseph, a carpenter.

 

Lucky was growing and could no longer be called little. He felt a strong sense of humility and compassion from Jesus. People everywhere have problems. He saw how mean some people were to Jesus. They called him names, laughed at him, and even tried to hurt him physically, but Jesus still loved them. Lucky suffered with him, too. He knew already that walking with Jesus would be difficult, but Lucky was committed to Jesus and admired the many wonderful he was doing.

 

Jesus kept on healing the sick and spreading the word of God. He would talk to people and tell them all about themselves. This angered some but convinced many others to follow him. Those angry people plotted against Jesus. They didn’t know that Jesus knew about it but was prepared to give his life to save the souls of humanity. Lucky went everywhere with Jesus and listened to every word he told the people and apostles. Together, they fed thousands of people, walked on water, raised the dead, cried, falsely accused, and cruelly tormented and eventually crucified. Even near Jesus’ last breath, Lucky remembered that he still forgave those mean people.

 

It wasn’t over. When everyone thought Jesus was dead and buried, he came back! Lucky could go with Jesus this time. Jesus told him it wasn’t necessary. Jesus was transformed like his Father. He was pure light.