It happened on Monday this week. I was trying to buy fuel and the queue was so long. I had been there for a while and busied myself chatting on whatsapp as the line moved slowly.
Then someone made a very nasty comment about me on a whatsapp chat and I was boiling with anger, preparing a suitable answer.
My phone rang in the midst of all this and I picked it up absently. It was a Facebook friend who had read my award winning article, EYES ON THE PRIZE. He went on and on, talking about how the article had blessed him and what an inspiring writer I was. Early this morning, another old friend called saying he was looking through my Facebook page and I am still as interesting as ever.

Wow! What a contrast.

Then the lesson dropped in my heart. In life, it is up to you to CHOOSE YOUR FOCUS. Are you going to focus on those who do not appreciate your worth, who batter your self-esteem at every opportunity, who “draw blood” from you with their words, who strip you naked each time they talk? Or are you going to focus on those who smile GENUINELY each time they see you because of the great impact you have made in their lives, who are inspired by your words and actions and who are praying for you every day?

If you do not have such people, then you need to start sowing seeds today. Life is not in duration, but in donation.

Remember Dorcas in Acts Chapter 9 who got a second chance to live again because of the seeds she sowed in the lives of widows. And the story of David’s men who risked their lives to get him the water he longed for in I Kings 15.

Choose to focus on those whose lives you have touched positively and not those who never appreciate what you do. You must have met many of such. Even if the whole world is appreciating you, they must chip in something negative to spoil your joy. They did it to the immaculate son of God so why should you be surprised if they do it to you?

Above all, Focus on the best friend you have, lifting your eyes to the hills where the best help comes from. (Psalm 121) For he will not fail when men fail you.

Choose the right focus.