birthday

Finishing Touches

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment
Image generated via A.I.

Have you ever had a friend who seems to do everything right? You’re in need, and they are right there with you, and they have what you need. They seem invaluable to you and your life. In fact, at times, you can’t imagine life without them. They also seem to be the ones who champion celebrations in your life as well.

April and I know a lady who seems to have made it her mission in life to celebrate a person’s milestones, especially if it is a birthday. She does it right, too. Beautiful cakes accented with remnants or tablecloths, festive decorations, tiaras, and, of course, invited friends. She specializes in keeping the upcoming celebration a secret, as well. Recipients always feel special. I know April did when her fortieth birthday was celebrated last year.

We know another lady who is always on the spot when it comes to bringing over a meal whenever your life is going through a tough time, whether it be an illness, death in the family, or something else. Her actions show that she is aware of what you are going through and that she cares.

I have a friend who will drop whatever he is doing to come over and help you. It doesn’t matter if it is a home improvement project, lifting something, driving you somewhere, picking you up at the airport, or any other type of favor where you need a hand.

Those types of individuals seem to put the “finishing touches” on life. They demonstrate the love of God and compassion. By the way, the word “compassion” in the Greek language means seeing a need and doing whatever you can to alleviate it. They define the difference between “a friend” and “a GOOD friend!” This world could use a lot more “good friends.” I hope you will consider being one. The first thing it takes is for you to give “your” concerns to God and trust him with them. The second is it takes opening your eyes to see others and what they are facing. Third, caring enough about them to do something. Put the finishing touches on someone else’s life.

Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.
Prov. 18:24 (GNT)

Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.
1 Thes. 5:11 (NET)

For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up. Ecc. 4:10 (NET)

Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another.
Rom. 12:10 (NET)

Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes! 1 Pt. 4:7-11 (MSG)

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Me? Grumpy?

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments
Photo by: George Desipris

I recently hit a milestone in age. Stop singing. I’m not happy about it. In fact, I was glad April didn’t feel up to celebrating it due to recovering from surgery two days earlier. (Her recovery is going well.) I’ll confess, I scheduled her surgery knowing she wouldn’t feel up to it. Okay, I’ll tell ya, I turned 60.

Combining my age with my current attitude toward others and their behavior, one could call me Walter. As in “Walter Matthau.” As in, from the movie “Grumpy Old Men.” Especially when it comes to how people drive these days. It seems as if I can’t even go two blocks from my house, and I’m disgruntled. If you are the lead dog at the intersection, please pay attention to the light. When it turns green, GO!

Two days ago, at 4:56 AM: I was heading home after dropping April off at work, and I almost slammed into the back of an older pickup truck. It was parked in the driving lane of an exit ramp with no lights on. The area of that highway is under construction, and the new highway lights aren’t on yet. And there was room for the broken down driver to have pulled in between construction barrels. My grumpiness isn’t just with drivers. It seems to be with anyone exhibiting behavior I don’t like.

April diagnosed the problem accurately. She said I get upset when others don’t treat me the way I treat them. You see, I grew up having learned the “Golden Rule.” You know, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Based on; Luke 6:31) The problem is, they do unto me things I wouldn’t do unto them. It seems these days as if they don’t care about others, only themselves. And they know when they have done wrong, but they will make it seem as if you are the one who committed a crime.

I know my grumpiness isn’t of God. I should love like He is to us. I need to show everyone “love,” and here is why. These are some of the qualities of genuine love:

  • Love is patient – True love can tolerate pain or suffering without complaining or getting angry.
  • Love is humble – True love is not proud and boastful. It is humble enough to admit its own mistakes and strive to correct them. It also forgives to get rid of hatred and enjoy peacefulness.
  • Love is respectful.
  • Love is calm – True love always maintains the mind’s clarity and the heart’s softness. Its heart is deep, and its mind is not narrow.
  • Love is persistent – True love doesn’t easily give up. True love transforms you into a whole new and better person.

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
1 John 3:18-19 (NIV)

 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.” – Luke 6:27-33 (NIV)

“Dear God, please help me, love, as you love us. I certainly don’t want to be known as a ‘grumpy old man’ but as a ‘man of God’. A man of love.”

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

“I Got You Babe”

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

“Oh I am so excited about today!” the man’s wife said as she arose from the bed.  He immediately begun scratching his head trying to remember if today was a special day in her life, or their life.

Her happiness continued as she prepared their breakfast and sent him off to work. As he drove he questioned, “Is it our anniversary? Her birthday? I don’t think so, but she was so excited I don’t want to screw up.” So after getting settled in to his office he ordered her some flowers to be delivered. At lunch he ordered a balloon boutique. On the way home he stopped and picked her up a box of chocolates.

When he walked through the door she greeted him with a smile and said, “Wow!  I can’t believe all that you have done for me.  This has been the greatest “Groundhog Day ever!”

That really is a true story, and tomorrow is “Groundhog Day.” I have no idea if Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow or not. I believe we will have six more weeks of winter whether he does or doesn’t. If you have seen the movie, by the same name, then you know Bill Murray relieves the same day over and over. Every morning his alarm goes off at the same time to the same song playing, “I Got You Babe” by Sonny & Cher.

There are times when real life feels that way. As if you are in a rut and can’t get out. The days creep by one after the other. To what avail? But there is more to life than sitting around waiting to die. There is life with God. You surrender your will to accept his and then follow his leading to living the most exciting life one could ever imagine.

 I said, “Not my will, but yours Lord” a long time ago. I haven’t always gotten it right every step of the way, but it has been an exciting life. One I would certainly do again in a heartbeat. I love witnessing firsthand how powerful God can be, and how gently he can show his soft love. Realizing he has been working out intricate details of your life without you even asking him to. When provisions show up unannounced, or he leads you to be a blessing to someone else. Acting like my heavenly Father is a privilege.  Seeing the face of someone when they become aware they have been in the presence of almighty God, even if via one of his servants, there is nothing like it.

 It certainly isn’t the life depicted by the movie, “Groundhog Day” at all. A life “with” God and “for” God is the best kind of life one can have.

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.