Emerging Courageous Highlight
 August 8, 2003
"A Work of Art"

Instead of sending out my newsletter today,
I am forwarding you Bob Perks message today
as it is worthy of passing along in its entirety... Marilyn

All stories are copyrighted 2003 Bob Perks.
Today's Message:
 
"A Work of Art!" By Bob Perks [email protected]
 
"Gee, he's always so positive.  I don't know how he does it!" she said.
 
It's the way he is.  You can count on him to be exactly that way everyday.  I don't know how he does it either.
 
I mean I am an inspirational writer and a professional speaker.  Some people expect that  I'm that way all the time, too.  But I'm not.  The fact is, I'm glad I'm not.  Then I wouldn't have so many things to write about.
 
When I'm struggling with personal life issues I write about them.  When my relationship with my children isn't like some "Father Knows Best" episode, I tell you about it.  When you wonder what God has in store for the rest of your life, I let you know I'm wondering, too.
 
But Art has something special.  He's genuinely happy.  He's positive and full of life. 
 
Art has an incredibly strong faith.
 
"When I'm challenged with things in life, and I have had my challenges, I just give it to the Lord.  I pray about it and then go on with my life," he told me once.
 
Every morning that I see him he greets me with an overwhelming "Good Morning, Bob.  It's a glorious day!  How are you?"
 
Although I awaken everyday at 5:30, my mind often times doesn't wake up until 10:00.
 
Twice when I walked in the office he actually jumped in front of me the minute I opened the door.
 
"Good Morning, Bob!" he shouted. 
 
I nearly dropped my coffee, my brief case and my heart on the floor.
 
"Don't do that!" I said to him.
 
"Is this how you get people praying?" I asked the first time.
 
"What do you mean?" he asked.
 
"When you did that I said, "Oh, God help me!"
 
We laughed about it all morning. 
 
We joke with him about his attitude.  We playfully mock him sometimes.  I think he loves when we do.  It seems to strengthen his resolve to be even more chipper.
 
So what does Art accomplish by being this way?
 
He's a beacon of light in a stormy world. 
 
He's hope on a hopeless day.
 
He's a friend when you need one.
 
And if life is an empty canvas and each day we live a stroke of the brush, then he is an artist and I'm a work of "Art."
 
"I believe in you!"
Bob Perks
[email protected]
Copyright (c) 2003, Bob Perks.  I encourage you to share my stories with your friends but, when copying I ask that you keep my name and contact information attached along with this notice.  Use of this story for commercial purposes is prohibited without direct permission from the author.
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