I was watching TV this morning and came across a commercial that impressed me:
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Viewers see a student, Jasmine Wade, who has a goal–to become a pediatrician. She has come up with a plan that will no doubt require hard work and unwavering long-term commitment and dedication, though she says she will devote herself to this plan “100%”
It is great to see this young lady appreciating what her teacher, Ms. Gopie, has done for her and probably convinced her to major in biology in college.
On TV, what I repeatedly see is silly. People interrupting each other on national news to increase their show ratings and commercials that feature men and women all but completely naked. And this is considered normal! This fact all but makes me sick 
I think in this day and age we (and when I say we I mean the average person who watches at least 3 hours of TV a day) watch tv as a practical way to fill our free time. In some ways, it’s for entertainment, but at the minimum it is to fill in the hours we have free every day. Correct me if I am wrong.
And there are some good shows out there, I will admit. But I think there comes a time when everyone must realize the big picture of things. I don’t know the student in the commercial personally, but I like to think I know she must like discipline. A saying has it, “in order to come up with a plan and stick with it, you need discipline.” I would like to share a verse in the bible. It goes deeper, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
I confess I have not been disciplined this summer with reading the bible, and though I have had a job, it is no excuse. Nonetheless, it is a lesson which importance I cannot stress too much!
Do you have a plan in the long-term future? I want you to take stock in what gift GOD has given you, if you have not already. Maybe you don’t want to be a chemistry teacher. Maybe you see yourself helping the poor. Whatever it is, stay focused and show graciousness to those who help you along the way to achieving it, even if you don’t expect graciousness in return.
A sinner who has been continually blessed,
~Riley
