Living life with steps of faith

I look forward to our wedding reception this coming June. It will be an event that brings together so many people who have been a part of various aspects of our lives. I can't wait for them to meet each other and to celebrate our marriage vows with us! Yet my potential guest list exceeds the available reception space as well as our finances. This means that I cannot invite everyone, even though I want to include every single person who has ever played a role in my life! So, I will invite more than I have room for, knowing that many will not accept the invitation. Some have already told me about other weddings they are invited to that day. Others will have to work and still others will not be able to make the lengthy trip. Thus as I receive their "regrets" I will send out additional invitations to those who are farther down our guest list. At the same time as I attempt to limit who I invite I take into consideration who would be most appreciative of the invitation, as well...

Today I was thinking about what it means to be one of the elite. I have received one of the best educations and been blessed by some great scholarships. I feel rich just by living in the United States. Even if my economic status qualifies me for living in the category of "the poor," I am blessed with financial resources that are unavailable to the truly poor. I also am surrounded by highly influential people from whom I get to learn how to make it in this world. I am also blessed to have a relationship with Christ, which overshadows all other forms of wealth. I also have a family who loves me. We may not be perfect, but we have a lot going for us. We have had out times of trial and experienced tribulation, but we are still one - for which I give thanks. So, I look at all that I have been given and I wonder, "How do I express gratefulness for what I have and at the same time act in such a manner that uplifts and honors those who do not have the same blessings?...