Category Archives: Encouragement

The kiss of understanding

Posted on June 12, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

The great pianist Paderewski once went to hear a friend’s daughter give a piano recital. But when the little girl saw the great man in the audience, she got stage fright, forgot her piece and broke down in tears. At … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Encouragement, God with us, understanding | Leave a comment

Pick yourself up, dust yourself down.

Posted on June 26, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Do you remember that song that Fred Astaire sang to Ginger Rodgers in the old movie, Swingtime? It went like this: ‘Nothing’s impossible I have found, for when my chin is on the ground I pick myself up, dust myself … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundant life, Encouragement, Failure, Faith, God with us, God's love, New Life, Overcoming, Second chance | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Spotting the one good thing amidst the failures

Posted on February 26, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Edward Steichen, one of the world’s most renowned photographers, almost gave up on the day he shot his first pictures. At the age of sixteen he bought a camera and took fifty photos. Only one turned out – a portrait … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishments, Encouragement, Failure, Positive Thoughts, Seeing the possibilities | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

No-one feels a nobody when they are part of a great endeavour

Posted on August 19, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

When Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London was being built, somebody asked one of the stonemasons what he did. He replied blandly that he cut stone. He asked the same question of another mason, who said that he was building a … Continue reading →

Posted in Affirmation, Attitude, Encouragement, Great Endeavours, Inspirational, Life, Life's journey, Purpose in life, Self Image, Spiritual Insight | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What’s in the bag?

Posted on March 26, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old legend about three men each carrying two sacks, one on their back and one on their front.. When asked what was in the sacks, the first said, “On my back are all the good things that have … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Attitude, Bitterness, Blessings, Contentment, Encouragement, Futility, Hope, Inspiration, Life's journey, Living Life, Making the most of what you've got, Seeing the possibilities, Spiritual blindness, Spiritual discernment, thankfulness, Troubles, Trust in God, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pain – ‘God’s Megaphone’

Posted on March 26, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s nothing that challenges faith in a loving God more than the problem of pain. C.S. Lewis said that of all the things that come to us in life, pain is the one thing guaranteed to get our attention. Joys … Continue reading →

Posted in angry with God, Discernment, Encouragement, Faith, God, Grace, Hope, Life's journey, Living Life, Pain, pilgrimage, Religion, Spiritual Insight, Trials and testings, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Granny Smith

Posted on February 21, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old tombstone outside St Annes Church in the Sydney suburb of Ryde, dedicated to the memory of Maria Ann Smith. In the early days of Sydney she was the midwife for the area and was commonly known as … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Awareness, Discernment, Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Inspirational, Life's journey, Making the most of what you've got, New Life, Spiritual Insight, Transformation, Trust in God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Blooming where you are planted

Posted on February 21, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

One of life’s joys is to find a small patch of beautiful, fragrant flowers, almost hidden by weeds, and yet still blooming amidst the ugliness. Sometimes you meet people like that who, in the most unlikely surroundings, live lives of … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts of Kindness, Attitude, Awareness, Contentment, Encouragement, Generous spirit, Inspiration, Life's journey, Living Life, Making the most of what you've got, Personal Growth, Spiritual Insight, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

And it came to pass

Posted on February 4, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

A group of people was once asked to name the passage of the Bible that most helped them when they were going through difficult times. Most came up with old favourites, except for one elderly man who said: ‘Mine is: … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Awareness, Bible, Encouragement, Faith, God, Hope, Life's journey, old age, Trials and testings, Trust in God, Uncertainty of Life, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Out of the Mouths of Children

Posted on February 4, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

I heard about a young boy travelling by airplane to visit his grandparents. He happened to be seated beside a theological college lecturer. The older man noticed the boy was reading a Sunday school book, so he decided to encourage … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Encouragement, Faith, God, Heaven, Religion, Trust in God | Tagged , , | Leave a comment