QUALITY OF LIFE ALWAYS SURPASSES QUANTITY OF LIFE!

Ron Bainbridge

TODAY’S MESSAGE OF

FROM

Discovering a BETTER LIFE MINISTRIES

https://abl-alb.wixsite.com/discoverabetterlife

(Stories of Real People, Real Events, Real Places)

Are dedicated to HELPING

PEOPLE FIND PEACE and HOPE

(John 10:10)

(April 30th, 2020)

QUALITY OF LIFE

ALWAYS SURPASSES

QUANTITY OF LIFE!

Friend, on Thursday, June 30, 2004, a major newspaper here in Western Australia carried the story of the death of Mattie Stepanek under the heading of “America mourns boy poet who gave peace a chance.” This often-ebullient boy, both wise and mischievous, was one of the most widely read poets during the late 20th Century and early 21st Century.

Three of his five books made the New York Times bestseller list. Oprah Winfrey made him famous. Former United States president Jimmy Carter made him a friend. Both attended the funeral of Mattie Stepanek.

On Monday, June 28, 2004, more than 1,000 people filled a church building in Wheaton, Maryland, to say goodbye to a 13-year-old who had every reason to complain about life but did not.

In his eulogy, Mr. Carter told the congregation that throughout his long and varied public life, which had included shaking millions of hands, travelling to more than 120 countries, and knowing kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers, Mattie was the most extraordinary person he had known. Mr. Carter spoke of Mattie’s devotion to peace. “He was deeply aware of global affairs,” he said.

The “Why me?” question never occurred to Mattie! There was no real answer that came to him. “Why not me?” he said. He made his goal not to receive a miracle and certainly not to wallow in self-pity but to use his life productively.

As a tribute to a young man who was mature beyond his years, here is his poem “Making Real Sense of the Senses” (from Heartsongs, New York: VSP Books/Hyperion, 2001). Mattie wrote this poem when he was only 5-years of age!

“Our eyes are for looking at things,

But they are also for crying,

When we are very happy or very sad!

Our ears are for listening.

But so are our hearts.

Our noses are for smelling food

But also the wind and the grass and

If we try very hard, butterflies.

Our hands are for feeling,

But also for hugging and touching so gently!

Our mouths and tongues are for tasting.

But also for saying words, like

“*I love you,” and***

“Thank you, God, for all of these things.”

Friend, as you reflect on the sentiments expressed in this poem, written by Mattie Stepanek, I sincerely hope that you too will want to pray with me, “Thank you God, for allowing us to have Mattie for a while. And thank you for the reminder that quality counts far more than the quantity of our lives here on earth. May each of us genuinely offer up a “heartsong” today and be part of the chorus of your people that sings the praise of your name throughout the earth!”

“Remember to look at your glass half full

And not half empty. A lot of my strength

Comes from God! God has given me a gift –

The gift of life – and it’s amazing that I live

Each day!”

(Mattie Stepenak)

Friend, I hope this is a very good day for you! If you would like to write to Discovering A BETTER LIFE, we’d be pleased to hear from you. Our address is: P.O. Box 1540, Albany WA 6331. E-mail us at: abl-alb@omninet.net.au Phone us on: (08) 98 418 418