GARBAGE IN...GARBAGE OUT

There are days when I've simply "had enough" of seeing the piles of garbage thrown over the streets of India. I can't fathom why people can be so content or oblivious to trashing their environment. There are days when I just put my ipod on, and blast my favorite tunes, hoping the pleasure in my ears will outweigh the pain in my eyes. Well, today I am forcing myself to revisit Phillipians 4:8..."Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things"...

As I looked out of my car window at the ubiquitous trashing of India, you know there was the most beautiful, exotic tree that stood there, so beautiful and strong with the most beautiful orange blossoms you can imagine...gorgeous. It took Sylvia Carlton to teach me to slow down and stop and appreciate the beauty of a flower...and it's the sweet memories of my mother's yard, always beaming with every flower of your wildest dreams planted there, a bountiful garden, full of greens, tomatoes, beans, squash...always enough to feed our huge family and then some...those are such lovely memories to cherish.

Training your mind to go to the right places has never been easy, but with the world being so negative, a flower in the midst of filth and trash can give hope. I have found this scripture very comforting.