I don't usually reflect on the Past but sometimes it's good to look back. Today I want to reflect, not only on the past but also on the present and the future, and on the sanctity and wondrousness of life.

Author Taylor Addison gives us this advice: "This is a time for reflection, as well as celebration, as we look back on things that have taken place in our lives. We need to remember each experience for the good that has come of it, for the goals we have reached and for the knowledge we have gained. We need to remember the efforts we have made, the love we have shared, the laughter we have shared, the joy, hard work, and the tears. And as we reflect on the past, we also need to be looking forward to the future and the celebration of life."

This is good advice, as is the advice given in this poem by William Arthur Ward: "Another fresh day is here, another day to live, to banish worry, doubt and fear, to live and laugh and give. This bright new day is given me to live with zest, to daily grow and try to be my highest and my best. I have the opportunity once again to reach out and right some wrongs, to pray for peace in every heart, and to sing more joyful songs."

And more on the sanctity of life: Martha Hadley is a widely listened-to host on Spirit Radio in Seattle, receiving calls and giving advice to people with problems of all kinds. She tells about receiving a call from a woman whose sister was planning to get an abortion.

Martha said, "She asked me to play a special song for her sister, a song called 'A Baby's Prayer.' In the song, a child, while still in the womb, overhears her own life about to end due to her mother's decision to abort.

The baby says, "I can hear her talking with a friend and I know it's all about me, about how she can't have a baby now. What my mommy doesn't see is that I feel her breathe, I know her voice, her blood flows through my heart. God knows my greatest wish is that we'd never be apart. But if I should die before I wake, I pray her soul You keep. Forgive her, Lord, she doesn't realize that You gave life to me. I really don't want to say goodbye, don't want this time to be through, but please tell her that I love her, and that that You love her too. And on days when she may think of me, please comfort her with the truth, that the Angels hold me safe and sound, because I'm in Heaven with you."

Life is precious, Folks, and it is ETERNAL!

Happy ending to the above story: After hearing that beautiful song, the woman's sister decided against having an abortion! The baby is alive and well! Things to think about: "At the moment you feel like giving up, victory is within reach," and "If you wish to see a rainbow, be prepared for the rain."

Now to close on a humorous note:

Morris, an 82-year-old bachelor, went to the doctor to get a physical. A few days later the doctor saw Morris walking down the street with a beautiful woman on his arm. A couple of days later the doctor spoke to Morris and said, "Hey, Morris, saw you the other day. You seem to be doing great." Morris replied, "Just doing what you said, Doc, Get a hot Mama and be cheerful." The doctor replied, "I didn't say that, Morris. I said, You've got a heart murmur. Be careful!

HAVE A WONDROUS DAY!