Having a full life - John 10:10 with a story about Jimmy Durante, an observaton and a prayer

SCRIPTURE: John 10:10 (NIV)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

A STORY:
There is a wonderful story about Jimmy Durante, one of the great entertainers of a generation ago. He was asked to be a part of a show for World War II veterans. He told them his schedule would permit only a brief appearance, but if they would not mind him doing one short monologue and immediately leave for his next appointment, he would come. Of course, the show’s director happily agreed. But when Jimmy got on stage, something interesting happened. He went through the short monologue then stayed. The applause grew louder and louder and he kept staying. Pretty soon, he had been on fifteen, twenty, then thirty minutes. Finally he took a last bow and left the stage. Backstage, someone asked him, “ I thought you had to go after a few minutes. What happened?” Jimmy answered, “I did have to leave, but I can show you the reason I stayed. Look out at the front row.” Seated there were two men, each of whom had lost an arm in the war. One had lost his right arm and other had lost his left. Together, they were able to clap, and that is exactly what they were doing, loudly cheerfully.

AN OBSERVATION:
It is a truism for life – we can either seize the moment or we can bemoan our circumstances. We can choose to go through life sad and dejected about those opportunities lost, placing emphasis on the “sadness” of our life or we can choose to embrace the reality of our situation and rejoice in the life that we do have.

It is a struggle for most of us, but the choice is ours. If we look for ways around our difficulties we will be surprised by what we find … like the two veterans who had each lost an arm, but discovered how to still applaud the goodness that had come to them.

PRAYER:
Help us to see, Gracious Savior, the opportunities that we do have instead of dwelling on those chances that we have missed or the “cards” that we have been dealt. In the Savior’s name we do pray, Amen.