On this past Saturday afternoon, my two girls and I visited our local McDonald’s for some ice cream relief from the Florida heat. As we exited the drive through, we saw a homeless man sitting on the curb. I’ve always taught my girls that it’s always good to help someone in need, so it was no surprise to me that my girls spoke up and said “Mom, we’d like to give some of our money to the homeless man”.
I slowed the car, rolled down the window, and invited the man to come to the car for some money to help him. He was so happy. He leaped off the curb, with a skip in his step to come and receive his monetary gift. He greeted us with a great big smile, and thanked us profusely for our kindness. As he began to walk away, he turned around and said “God Bless You and Thanks again; I’m going to share this with my friend”. I looked up and there was another homeless man sitting on the curb as well. I was completely stunned at the selfless act of the homeless man. He had nothing. He received, and the little he received, the first thing he wanted to do was help someone else… his friend.
I thought to myself, there are those of us who have much and hoard what we have and keep it for ourselves, not sharing or giving to others. A homeless man showed me what selflessness is all about. He put the need, and interest of his friend before his own. That’s how I want to be! We are all blessed to be a blessing! No matter what we have to give; time, money, or a listening ear, we should give selflessly.
I think of that day often and marvel at the compassion this homeless man showed for his friend. What a blessing he was to me that day. I believe in helping those who are less fortunate than I am, with whatever I have to offer.
I admonish you to purposely look for someone you can help today. Seek them out. Don’t wait to be asked to help, but be willing to go out of your way to help someone today!
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.”
Matthew 25:44-45 (NKJV)
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Go Through!
Over the Fourth of July holiday, I drove with my family to Ft. Lauderdale Beach to have a time of rest, relaxation, and fun. On the three hour drive south, it just rained, and rained, and rained. I thought to myself, WOW! So much for an opportunity to enjoy the beach.
As we drove through what seemed to be a torrential downpour, I began to see many cars pulling off the side of the road,or pulling under bridges to wait for the storm to pass. I immediately recalled the time when my Mom was teaching me how to drive and she said “Whenever it rains, if you can help it, don’t stop and wait it out, proceed with caution and drive through the storm”. I’ve followed my Mom’s instructions for many years now, and it has proven to be the best of advice.
As we drove through the rainstorm this time, I began to see it in a different light. Ten minutes of driving through the storm, and rain, we came to a point where we’d driven out of it. It was sunny, warm, and bright. It looked as if it had never rained at all. I was completely amazed!
Life is exactly like driving through a rainstorm, inside our trials, problems, and issues, its dark, and we can’t see what is ahead of us because of the cloudiness of worry and despair.
I’m reminded of a time when a long term relationship I was in dissipated. I was very hurt, and saddened by the events that led to its final demise. I allowed myself to feel all of the hurt and pain that came with this loss, so that I can put it all behind me. Slowly, I began to push through that turbulent time in my life. Although I couldn't see my way in front of me, and I couldn’t see where I was going; I woke up every morning saying “I’m going to make it through this one day at a time”.
Pushing forward re-fueled my spirit and gave me a new confidence toward my future. With much hard work, I made it through that tough time and entered a new level in my life. I’m grateful for that dim period, because in it, I found strength and courage to always move through adverse situations.
Be encouraged to keep pressing through the storms of life, because in just a short while, the issues will be behind you and your best days will be in front of you! Wallowing in your storm with doubt and discouragement will keep you there longer!! Move forward with a vengeance expecting the bright rays of your efforts to lead you right through your storm!
“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
As we drove through what seemed to be a torrential downpour, I began to see many cars pulling off the side of the road,or pulling under bridges to wait for the storm to pass. I immediately recalled the time when my Mom was teaching me how to drive and she said “Whenever it rains, if you can help it, don’t stop and wait it out, proceed with caution and drive through the storm”. I’ve followed my Mom’s instructions for many years now, and it has proven to be the best of advice.
As we drove through the rainstorm this time, I began to see it in a different light. Ten minutes of driving through the storm, and rain, we came to a point where we’d driven out of it. It was sunny, warm, and bright. It looked as if it had never rained at all. I was completely amazed!
Life is exactly like driving through a rainstorm, inside our trials, problems, and issues, its dark, and we can’t see what is ahead of us because of the cloudiness of worry and despair.
I’m reminded of a time when a long term relationship I was in dissipated. I was very hurt, and saddened by the events that led to its final demise. I allowed myself to feel all of the hurt and pain that came with this loss, so that I can put it all behind me. Slowly, I began to push through that turbulent time in my life. Although I couldn't see my way in front of me, and I couldn’t see where I was going; I woke up every morning saying “I’m going to make it through this one day at a time”.
Pushing forward re-fueled my spirit and gave me a new confidence toward my future. With much hard work, I made it through that tough time and entered a new level in my life. I’m grateful for that dim period, because in it, I found strength and courage to always move through adverse situations.
Be encouraged to keep pressing through the storms of life, because in just a short while, the issues will be behind you and your best days will be in front of you! Wallowing in your storm with doubt and discouragement will keep you there longer!! Move forward with a vengeance expecting the bright rays of your efforts to lead you right through your storm!
“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Silence is Golden
All too often I find myself very busy with life. I work a job that requires me to travel, I have two beautiful girls ages 14 and 10, I’m involved with my church, I facilitate a mentoring group, I attend a mentoring group, I enjoy writing, I’m in a growing relationship, I’m working hard to get my businesses off the ground, I work out regularly, and a plethora of other things and tasks that consume my time. I love my life and enjoy every aspect of it; but the fact of the matter is I’m a BUSY BODY!!
There are times when I can hear the Lord speaking to my heart, saying “Rest”. When I hear this still small voice, I’m drawn to do so. See, in my life, the Lord showed once that I have a push and rest style of living. There are times when I go week after week ripping and running, giving and pouring into others, which is better known as the push state, a very busy time. I’m always given supernatural strength to do all that I need to do during this time, but then by no coincident, my life begins to slow down. Work is steady and all of the other things on my plate seem to handle themselves, I know that when I’m in “push” time, soon to follow is “Rest “ time.
During my time of rest, I stop and smell the roses, I spend more time with my children, and I read and write more often than I would if I was in a push state. I simply slow down. I always find it amazing how the Lord speaks to me when I’m resting. Not to say that he doesn’t speak to me in a push state because he does; but it takes more effort for me to hear him.
Spending time in silence is a beautiful way I take time out of my busy life to press into the Lord, and listen to his instruction for my life. I’ve been confused on decisions I needed to make but in my resting state, I can clearly hear the Lord guiding me through these moments.
If your life is equally as busy as mine, I encourage you to take some time to rest and be silent and listen for the Lord to reveal himself to you in a greater way.
Silence really is golden; draw closer to him during these times, and he’ll draw closer to you. Listen for him in the silence, and I’m sure you’ll hear him speak.
“O, you sword of the Lord, how long until you are quiet? Put yourself up into your scabbard, rest and be still” – Jeremiah 47:6
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying “This is the way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left” – Isaiah 30:21
There are times when I can hear the Lord speaking to my heart, saying “Rest”. When I hear this still small voice, I’m drawn to do so. See, in my life, the Lord showed once that I have a push and rest style of living. There are times when I go week after week ripping and running, giving and pouring into others, which is better known as the push state, a very busy time. I’m always given supernatural strength to do all that I need to do during this time, but then by no coincident, my life begins to slow down. Work is steady and all of the other things on my plate seem to handle themselves, I know that when I’m in “push” time, soon to follow is “Rest “ time.
During my time of rest, I stop and smell the roses, I spend more time with my children, and I read and write more often than I would if I was in a push state. I simply slow down. I always find it amazing how the Lord speaks to me when I’m resting. Not to say that he doesn’t speak to me in a push state because he does; but it takes more effort for me to hear him.
Spending time in silence is a beautiful way I take time out of my busy life to press into the Lord, and listen to his instruction for my life. I’ve been confused on decisions I needed to make but in my resting state, I can clearly hear the Lord guiding me through these moments.
If your life is equally as busy as mine, I encourage you to take some time to rest and be silent and listen for the Lord to reveal himself to you in a greater way.
Silence really is golden; draw closer to him during these times, and he’ll draw closer to you. Listen for him in the silence, and I’m sure you’ll hear him speak.
“O, you sword of the Lord, how long until you are quiet? Put yourself up into your scabbard, rest and be still” – Jeremiah 47:6
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying “This is the way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left” – Isaiah 30:21
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Spiritual Gym
Last January, I decided that I was going to take charge of my health and my body. I wanted to start working out consistently, so that I can see some physical changes. Aside from walking, and light running, I’d never been one to exercise much, so I was taking on something very new and different. With this new found excitement and curiosity, I walked into Gold’s Gym, and signed up to become a member. Along with being a member, I was able to receive 3 free sessions with a personal trainer. Now I was really excited!!
Part one of my first session with my trainer was fine, she asked for my medical history, weight and measurements and we enjoyed great casual conversation. Part two of my work out session was brutal to say the least. Keeping in mind, my personal trainer was an ex-marine, she had me doing all sorts of boot-camp style type work out s for strength and conditioning, and boy was I hurting!! I’ll never forget stopping mid-way through the session saying “I feel like my heart is going to pop out of my chest”, and she smiled and said “The more you work out, the stronger you will become, and you won’t have that feeling”. I painstakingly made it through that first session.
Although, my body was hurting, and I felt sore in places I never had before, I signed up to with the same personal trainer consistently for the next year. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Each and every session she challenged me to work harder and push myself. I never thought I could get my body to do what she was requesting of it to do, but she did. My trainer knew my potential, and she pushed me to meet those goals. I on the other hand was very frustrated with working out 4-5 times per week, personal training, and after some time, not seeing any significant results. I wondered why I was even doing all of this. Even with my doubts and frustration, my trainer continued to encourage me to stick with it and not give up. I’m so glad I kept pushing, because a short time later, I began to see results. I was extremely ecstatic. I’d dropped ten pounds, and my Body Mass Index (BMI) was significantly lower. All the pain, soreness, tiredness, frustration, was paying off.
One day while in the gym, I pondered, “If I’m always in pain, sore, and the work outs are hard, why do I keep coming back?” The answer is quite simple; I began seeing results, so I was motivated by that. The work I had to put in was necessary. As I thought this entire thing out in my head, the Lord began speaking to my heart. He said “Gym workouts are just like what happens in the spirit realm”. “I’m the one shaping and molding you to what I know you can be.” I was amazed. It was very true…the spiritual shaping that I was undergoing was equally as tough as the physical, and it didn’t feel good at all. I had to give up some old attitudes, and behaviors. I had to give up my old way of thinking, to be able to receive all that God has for me. Without the spiritual workout, I wouldn’t have been ready or able to receive the new and fresh things that were in store for me.
Everything that I experienced through my spiritual work out was well worth it. I’m a new person with new thoughts, new ideas and a new deeper love for Christ. The pain of growth of has strengthened me and has given me a new motivation to continue to work to be Christ- like. I know as I go through life, I’m going to have many more spiritual work outs but I’m glad to know the results that I will see will be well worth it; because I have the best spiritual trainer anyone can have….JESSUS!!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
**Thank-you Patricia Schaller for being an amazing personal trainer and friend!! God Bless You!!**
Part one of my first session with my trainer was fine, she asked for my medical history, weight and measurements and we enjoyed great casual conversation. Part two of my work out session was brutal to say the least. Keeping in mind, my personal trainer was an ex-marine, she had me doing all sorts of boot-camp style type work out s for strength and conditioning, and boy was I hurting!! I’ll never forget stopping mid-way through the session saying “I feel like my heart is going to pop out of my chest”, and she smiled and said “The more you work out, the stronger you will become, and you won’t have that feeling”. I painstakingly made it through that first session.
Although, my body was hurting, and I felt sore in places I never had before, I signed up to with the same personal trainer consistently for the next year. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Each and every session she challenged me to work harder and push myself. I never thought I could get my body to do what she was requesting of it to do, but she did. My trainer knew my potential, and she pushed me to meet those goals. I on the other hand was very frustrated with working out 4-5 times per week, personal training, and after some time, not seeing any significant results. I wondered why I was even doing all of this. Even with my doubts and frustration, my trainer continued to encourage me to stick with it and not give up. I’m so glad I kept pushing, because a short time later, I began to see results. I was extremely ecstatic. I’d dropped ten pounds, and my Body Mass Index (BMI) was significantly lower. All the pain, soreness, tiredness, frustration, was paying off.
One day while in the gym, I pondered, “If I’m always in pain, sore, and the work outs are hard, why do I keep coming back?” The answer is quite simple; I began seeing results, so I was motivated by that. The work I had to put in was necessary. As I thought this entire thing out in my head, the Lord began speaking to my heart. He said “Gym workouts are just like what happens in the spirit realm”. “I’m the one shaping and molding you to what I know you can be.” I was amazed. It was very true…the spiritual shaping that I was undergoing was equally as tough as the physical, and it didn’t feel good at all. I had to give up some old attitudes, and behaviors. I had to give up my old way of thinking, to be able to receive all that God has for me. Without the spiritual workout, I wouldn’t have been ready or able to receive the new and fresh things that were in store for me.
Everything that I experienced through my spiritual work out was well worth it. I’m a new person with new thoughts, new ideas and a new deeper love for Christ. The pain of growth of has strengthened me and has given me a new motivation to continue to work to be Christ- like. I know as I go through life, I’m going to have many more spiritual work outs but I’m glad to know the results that I will see will be well worth it; because I have the best spiritual trainer anyone can have….JESSUS!!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
**Thank-you Patricia Schaller for being an amazing personal trainer and friend!! God Bless You!!**
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Life Cycle of a Butterfly
The life cycle of a butterfly is a remarkable series of changes between seemingly very different forms culminating in the emergence of a butterfly. Throughout nature there are fantastic and fascinating occurrences of many kinds. The occurrence that interest me the most of a butterfly’s life is its metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is a profound change in form, from one stage to the next in one’s life history.
Anyone who knows me personally can attest to my pure love and passion for butterflies. What beautiful and amazing creatures they are. The butterfly’s ability to endure through the struggle of change is impeccable. You see a butterfly has to fight to become what we see soaring around us.
That is my symbolism with the butterfly. Each stage a butterfly goes through it has to push forward to get to the next phase in their life. My life mirrors the life of a butterfly...each and every phase in my life I’ve had to push, and fight my way through. This journey of life is not always an easy one. Each step is a step in the process of growth and change. I recall being very frustrated with each step I’ve had to take. Wondering why I had to go through this or go through that. Today, because of life’s struggles, I’m in a very different place. I find myself being very content with every step. I now understand it will serve me a greater purpose in the future.
I’m not claiming to have arrived. In fact, on the contrary, I have a long way to go. However, my goal is to continue to work through each phase and step of my life to grow into the woman God will have me to be. I’m going to push through this cocoon of life until I emerge as a beautiful butterfly.
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” – Philippians 4:11
Anyone who knows me personally can attest to my pure love and passion for butterflies. What beautiful and amazing creatures they are. The butterfly’s ability to endure through the struggle of change is impeccable. You see a butterfly has to fight to become what we see soaring around us.
That is my symbolism with the butterfly. Each stage a butterfly goes through it has to push forward to get to the next phase in their life. My life mirrors the life of a butterfly...each and every phase in my life I’ve had to push, and fight my way through. This journey of life is not always an easy one. Each step is a step in the process of growth and change. I recall being very frustrated with each step I’ve had to take. Wondering why I had to go through this or go through that. Today, because of life’s struggles, I’m in a very different place. I find myself being very content with every step. I now understand it will serve me a greater purpose in the future.
I’m not claiming to have arrived. In fact, on the contrary, I have a long way to go. However, my goal is to continue to work through each phase and step of my life to grow into the woman God will have me to be. I’m going to push through this cocoon of life until I emerge as a beautiful butterfly.
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” – Philippians 4:11
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Pay It Forward
I remember once that I’d gone in one of my favorite department stores to purchase some new clothes. I had my hands full of merchandise I wanted to purchase. A woman who was also shopping in the store came up to me, and handed me a gift card. On this card was a discount to receive 50% off my entire purchase. When I realized what it was, I looked up and thanked her for her kindness. As she paid for her merchandise, and was leaving the register, she says “Enjoy your purchases, and remember to pay it forward.”
I thought of what she said, and marveled at that. As someone does a good deed for us, it is important for us to always find ways to keep that gift going, and encourage others to do the same.
The bible tells us “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.” (Galatians 5:22)
Kindness is an act that shows consideration and caring; a practice of being or the tendency to be sympathetic and compassionate. Giving to others is a very fulfilling feeling. To pour into someone else’s life and see a smile come on their face is an awesome sentiment. In this day and age we sometimes forget the joy it brings to create a domino effect; a domino effect of kindness. If you are kind to someone, and then in turn, turn around and are kind to someone else, it goes on and on.
Scripture says in Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the measure that you use, it will be measured back to you”
Find someone to be extra kind to today, and when you do, as they are grateful for your good deed, ask them to keep it be going by paying it forward!
I thought of what she said, and marveled at that. As someone does a good deed for us, it is important for us to always find ways to keep that gift going, and encourage others to do the same.
The bible tells us “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.” (Galatians 5:22)
Kindness is an act that shows consideration and caring; a practice of being or the tendency to be sympathetic and compassionate. Giving to others is a very fulfilling feeling. To pour into someone else’s life and see a smile come on their face is an awesome sentiment. In this day and age we sometimes forget the joy it brings to create a domino effect; a domino effect of kindness. If you are kind to someone, and then in turn, turn around and are kind to someone else, it goes on and on.
Scripture says in Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the measure that you use, it will be measured back to you”
Find someone to be extra kind to today, and when you do, as they are grateful for your good deed, ask them to keep it be going by paying it forward!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Waiting Room
Whether we are sick and need to go to the doctor, in need of a hair-do, or our car needs to be serviced, we have to make an appointment and show up at our scheduled time. It never seems to fail that even when we have an appointment, we are still required to wait. During this wait, we often pick up a magazine to read, fiddle with our cellular phone, or just sit. After some time we begin to get a bit anxious, wondering when our time will come.
This is how we sometimes feel in our spiritual life. We pray for something to happen in our lives and then we wait on the Lord to show up and answer our prayers. However, sometimes during the wait we tend to get a bit impatient, wondering did God really hear our prayers, and if he did, when exactly is he going to show up.
I call to my mind the many different times I’ve prayed to God to present to me the man he had set aside for me. A God- fearing man, one whose heart loved the Lord just as I did, and one who knew his role as a Christian man. I prayed this prayer for 2 ½ years. Early on, I said “Lord I surrender this area of my life to you. I haven’t always made the best of choices in this area, so I trust you to do this for me.” I thought because I said the words, that this man would just appear. He didn’t. What did occur though was the Lord began working on me. I was very frustrated. I began to wrestle with the Lord. I asked questions and I questioned his timing. The Lord waited patiently for me to stop asking questions and allow him to do his work. After some time, I finally said, “Lord, I’m ready to do this your way.” Then the work began. He began showing myself to me, he began teaching me who he was, and he also showed me areas that were stagnant that needed to be revived. He changed me from the inside out. This was a process that took time. It’s a never ending process, but there was a place the Lord needed me to be before he could present me with the man of my dreams. He was preparing ME for HIM!!! I’m glad I didn’t get too impatient and quit in my waiting room. I allowed the Lord to teach, and I was the student. Because of this, the Lord blessed me with a wonderful person. Not only did he give me what I asked for, he gave me so much more. More than I could’ve imagined.
Even in the waiting rooms of life, trust God and his timing. Trust that even though it may appear he doesn’t know what he’s doing, that he DOES!! In the waiting room, God just wants us to draw closer to him so that he can reveal himself to us in a bigger way!!
“Wait on the Lord, Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; WAIT, I say, on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14)
This is how we sometimes feel in our spiritual life. We pray for something to happen in our lives and then we wait on the Lord to show up and answer our prayers. However, sometimes during the wait we tend to get a bit impatient, wondering did God really hear our prayers, and if he did, when exactly is he going to show up.
I call to my mind the many different times I’ve prayed to God to present to me the man he had set aside for me. A God- fearing man, one whose heart loved the Lord just as I did, and one who knew his role as a Christian man. I prayed this prayer for 2 ½ years. Early on, I said “Lord I surrender this area of my life to you. I haven’t always made the best of choices in this area, so I trust you to do this for me.” I thought because I said the words, that this man would just appear. He didn’t. What did occur though was the Lord began working on me. I was very frustrated. I began to wrestle with the Lord. I asked questions and I questioned his timing. The Lord waited patiently for me to stop asking questions and allow him to do his work. After some time, I finally said, “Lord, I’m ready to do this your way.” Then the work began. He began showing myself to me, he began teaching me who he was, and he also showed me areas that were stagnant that needed to be revived. He changed me from the inside out. This was a process that took time. It’s a never ending process, but there was a place the Lord needed me to be before he could present me with the man of my dreams. He was preparing ME for HIM!!! I’m glad I didn’t get too impatient and quit in my waiting room. I allowed the Lord to teach, and I was the student. Because of this, the Lord blessed me with a wonderful person. Not only did he give me what I asked for, he gave me so much more. More than I could’ve imagined.
Even in the waiting rooms of life, trust God and his timing. Trust that even though it may appear he doesn’t know what he’s doing, that he DOES!! In the waiting room, God just wants us to draw closer to him so that he can reveal himself to us in a bigger way!!
“Wait on the Lord, Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; WAIT, I say, on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14)
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