Such “signs of God,” as seen on church marquis and area billboards, will catch your attention as you drive along the highways of life. (For more catchy examples, see sidebar.)

MOM also wants to catch your attention to what we are really all about, yet more subtly. Without making a big sign or a big stink about it, we want everyone to know that MOM exists because of God, that we do what we do as a demonstration of our faith at work.

It takes most people some time to discover the purpose for which God created them. You can engage in any number of activities that help you grow more in mind, body, or spirit. And you can perform some act—large or small—that helps others. Some 400+ volunteers at MOM do just that. And, yes, some people discover their life purpose through volunteering or giving to MOM.

We also know that most “signs of God” are not black and white obvious, but are more like a gentle attitude adjustment, catching “new wind,” seeing the “silver lining” in a dark situation, listening to wisdom “from above,” or seeing “Christ in the face of the poor.”

I am defining success as knowing your purpose in life, giving back and sowing seeds that benefit others, and growing to your maximum potential. Thus we are asking any who give to and benefit from MOM to tell us where you see God at work in your life through this organization.

Then our faith will be encouraged, too. Write or call the staff or volunteer who touched your life. You may also email any of us c/o www.mompop.org. We may publish your testimony in a future issue of IN TOUCH or in our Annual Report, which is being put together this month.

In either event—assuming you don’t keep “in touch” but simply keep this matter just between you and God—start today reflecting on the signs of God at work and the keys to success, as excerpted below. If you are a success today, you’ll be a success tomorrow.

There is no secret of success.
Success is for everyone.
No advice on success works unless you do....
Give God the first part of every day,
the first day of every week,
the first portion of your income,
the first consideration in every decision,
the first place in your life.
Give God the first.

—John C. Maxwell

To laugh often and much; To win the respect of
intelligent people and the affection of children,
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others,
to leave the world a bit better whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier
because you lived. This is to have succeeded.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Success is going from failure to failure
without losing your enthusiasm.

—Abraham Lincoln

A success is one who decided to succeed
— and worked.
A failure is one who decided to succeed
—and wished.
A decided failure is one who failed to decide
—and waited.

—William A. Ward

© 2004 Middleton Outreach Ministry

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