This year Carol and I are especially thankful for the valuable people God has placed in our lives over the years. We'd like to share with you a story of someone who showed his thankfulness in life by living the principles his father gave him.
In 1924, a boy named Johnny who loved to play basketball completed the eighth grade in a small rural school. His father had little money for a gift, so he gave Johnny a card on which he had written his own seven-point creed. He urged his son to start following them daily.
Here are the seven points his father gave him: 1) Be true to yourself, 2) Make each day your masterpiece, 3) Help others, 4) Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible, 5) Make friendship a fine art, 6) Build a shelter against a rainy day, and 7) Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.
Johnny followed these points during his life. He excelled at basketball, becoming an all-American player at Purdue University, and helping his team win the national championship. Johnny later went on to become an outstanding college coach, with his team winning ten national championships in a twelve year period. Johnny was named national coach of the year six times and is one of only three players named to the Basketball Hall of Fame as both player and coach.
Johnny was revered by his players, inspiring many of them to excel in life. Like his father had given him, Johnny gave his players short, inspirational messages, including his "Pyramid of Success" which helped them achieve success in basketball and, more importantly, in life.
When he died at age 99, Johnny, better known as John Wooden, had been a lifelong devout Christian, devoted husband of fifty-three years, loving father and grandfather, and inspiration to countless men and women, both athletes and non-athletes. He wanted his faith to be apparent to others, saying, "If I were ever prosecuted for my faith, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me."
Our heavenly Father has given us an eternal gift of His Word that comes to us in the form of His Son, Jesus. His Son said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me," (John 14:6) That includes all people who have saving faith in Him, including John Wooden.
This Thanksgiving let us be grateful that there is a way for sinners to come to God for forgiveness, and it is through faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ.
By God's grace, may we make each day our masterpiece for Him.
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