Reflections

 

                          Alan at 16--What I'd like to tell him!

      Reflections Of… LIFE!

                                            by Alan P. Scaglione

 You see that kid?

16—and he thought he had his whole life ahead of him!
He was going to be cop! Yes—a cop!
He wanted to be a lawyer but no money to get him there, so… he settled on being a cop!
That kid was so mouthy—he would stand up to anyone, tell them what he thought—even IF they never asked!
Not a single shy bone in that boy!
He was a leader at school, a leader at church!
And he just had this fire inside him—he just liked who he was!
And he never met a mirror he didn’t like—he always looked at that reflection… and smiled!
Never ever a single moment of doubt or self pity or negative self image!
Not that kid—HE was going to change the world!
But… he was also—
A good friend. He had a lot of them, but each one felt that they were special—he made that happen.
It was all part of his plan…
He just wanted to be remembered! Wanted this world to know… he was here!
It always mattered to him that his ideas, his dreams, his talents, his gifts…all got used only for God!
That’s one thing about him—everybody knew—He loved the Lord!
He was president of Teens for Christ in High School—even took his Bible to school AND played his guitar for his friends at lunch.
He was bold; he was focused; he was proud; he was committed!
That kid just knew—He owed it to God to be a good friend, a good leader, a good example!

IF I could talk to that kid now…

I would say…
“Carry on, son… don’t change a thing! You will be true to yourself your whole life and never ever have to apologize for who you are!”
And… 36 years later—celebrating his 53^rd birthday TODAY—I can say—never EVER apologized for “The Me” God made!
My favorite scripture is not one of the obvious top 5! I love all of those too.
From “Having done all to Stand, STAND!” to “I can do all things through Christ!” and don’t forget “For God so loved… He GAVE!”
And I have preached “I beseech ye brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice!” so many times…
But my favorite?
It has always been…

“A man who has friends must show himself friendly… and there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother!” Proverbs 18:24

That is the scripture that has molded my life and my relationship with Christ!

I know how close a brother can be—I am best friends with my brother Paul; Thick and thin, we have been there for each other!
He has stood on the sidelines when I was leading the pack, quietly cheering me on; I have supported and encouraged all of his professional successes!
Push comes to shove—Paul has my back, and… he knows—I have his!
So… I know how close a brother can be!

And yet—my personal relationship with Jesus Christ is even closer than that!

I have to say—HE is by far the most influential part of my life—whatever I am, I am because—He loves me—flaws and all—loud and outspoken—He loves me!
And HE is my best friend!
He taught me to always be a true, loyal, supportive and encouraging friend!
My lifelong friend Ellen Bullard taught me one thing…
 Ellen used to say “I’m not looking for a certain number of friends… I just want some friends I can be certain of!”
And I have always tried to be that friend to my friends.
And in turn, God has blessed me with some friends I can be certain of…

My Faithful Five—thank you for your support through the rough times of my life—and God knows, I’ve had more than my share!

Even as Christ is true to me—I am true to you!

So… that kid in the picture? He wanted to change the world?

Well…maybe? With his “Papa’s Proverbs” or his “Alanisms” or… his poetry, songs, sermons, plays, short stories, columns, interviews and novels… he has!

You see… 36 years later, he realized… he can change the world—His World—the one God placed him in!

And that’s why—at 53--he still loves looking In that mirror—

He likes the reflection of his best friend that He sees looking back!

Sharing my Reflections--

Brother “A”

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