Looking Towards a New Future

There is a funny story about a man who always brought donuts to work. Every day, he stopped at the store to pick up a dozen donuts. Every day was the same. Every day he would eat one or two on the way in and shared the rest with his co-workers. One day, after the first of the year, he told his colleagues he had sworn off donuts. “I’ve got to take better care of myself,” he said, “No more donuts.” The co-workers all gave him a hard time – “No way. You’ll give in. Just give it a week.”

Sure enough, for weeks on end, he arrived at work with no donuts. The co-workers were impressed. But, sure enough, one day he arrived with a box of half-eaten donuts. “What happened?,” asked his fellow office workers, “I thought you were done with donuts.” The man responded, “When I was driving to work today, I felt God say to me, today you deserve a donut. I wasn’t sure it was God but I thought I’d just drive by the donut shop, and if there happened to be a parking place right up front, I would know that was a sign from God that he wanted me to have a donut. Well wouldn’t you know it, the eighth time I circled the donut shop….”

Change is hard, isn’t it? We get set in our routines and habits. We get comfortable with our lives. But sometimes there are changes we need to make to better our lives. Sometimes there are changes or sacrifices we need to make for the sake of others.

Recognizing the need for change is the first step towards a new future. Tell others about the decided change – they can help with resolve. Keep the end result in mind. Then, commit to prayer and trust God to give you the strength.

Let us pray: Today Loving God, I pray for all of those who desire to make changes in their lives – big or small. If this desire is truly from you, give them a glimpse of a new future. Surround them with the right people. Grant them courage and strength to take the first steps. We ask in Jesus name. Amen.