I read a story in Leonard Sweat's book entitled The Gospel According to Starbucks (the story is an adaptation from "The Parables of the Gospels and their meaning for today" by Hugh Martin), that really stood out to me. I wanted to share it because the story carries such a profound message.

A rough man happened upon an antique shop one day and fell in love with a vase in the window. He would stop and stare at it on his way to work because he was mesmerized by its beautiful colors. Eventually, he got the nerve to go in and ask about it. It was a very rare vase that would cost him two months salary. He wanted the vase so much that he arranged to put it in layaway and make payments on it. After some time, he put the balance on his charge card.

He bought the vase home and put it on the mantel in his living room. As it sat there, the beauty passed judgment on the surroundings. The dirty curtains had to go, as did the torn couch, and the faded wallpaper. The lighting wasn't right, so new tables and a floor lamp had to be bought. The whole house was transformed because of this vase.

In Philippians 4:8 Paul says, "Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable - if there is any moral excellence, and if there is any praise, if we think on these things the God of peace will be with you". If we put in our minds the things Paul speaks about, our lives will be transformed into something beautiful. Just like a beautiful vase transformed a room, pure thoughts can transform a life. May your thoughts be pure, true, honorable and lovely throughout the coming days.