A look from the Inside Out.
Have you ever had someone stay with you unexpectedly and they go into your junk drawer or open up a closet that’s well - - a mess. You make excuses, as we all have from time to time, about not being the most organized person. It actually can feel kind of intimidating to know that they may stumble across something else that’s not quite -- perfect.
It’s funny how we can go to mucho trouble to wash the car on the outside but skip the inside; or vacuum the house but not move the furniture. How do your clothes lay in your chest of drawers, neatly folded or shoved in nice and tight? Would it bother you if someone were to see the house you kept on a regular basis? Do you wear designer stuff or do you own a real good imitation? (Ouch!! Time out. Let me take my shoes off. My Goochi stilettos are hurting my toes and ruining French mani– what Goochi is spelled Gucci? – and toes are called pedi? Hhhmmm, whatever!! Some people think they know everything! Where was I?)
Getting past the visual, physical and material things in our homes and lives in general, what kinds of behaviors, attitudes and beliefs do we lack knowingly and unknowingly and sometimes expertly or amateurly camouflage within ourselves? Do we speak with a prejudiced tongue when we say we are not? Do we promote gossip in others when we claim to not gossip ourselves? Do we argue that we are busy and keep a messy looking desk to hide our lack of knowledge and organization? Do we claim to be poorer than poor just so that someone else might pick up lunch again while you squander your little pesos on cigarettes, alcohol, clothes, lotto tickets or tuck it away for a rainy day?
When someone points out a weakness or an obvious flaw or perhaps has the opportunity to look beneath the outer surface or see a side of you that you’ve managed to hide until now, it can cause a rather uneasy feeling and may even bring on a bit of insecurity, anxiety or distress to you personally or even add an uncomfortable element to your relationship.
When the picture we have taken years to paint and protect is distorted in a matter of seconds, how deep into the well will we go to calm the stirred up waters or maybe even change our course. Or in the alternative, how often will we blatantly turn our cheek and ignore the obvious ugly truth. (To change is work, and who wants to do that, right?) At what point does a person stop to think “I need to grow,” “I want to change,” “I don’t like this about me,” “I’m okay,” or “wow, I just didn’t realize I’m a mess.”
Okay maybe some of us haven’t consciously tried to create a certain impression or image for the sake of others. However, no one is perfect. (Yeah, well your bubble just went pop! Now what? We still love you man!!). However, some still might argue and say, “I am who I am and I don’t care what anyone else thinks of me.” “Who do I need to impress anyway?”
For starters, we should not be out to impress each other. However because we are human all evidence points to the contrary (I know you are out to pleasure yourself. Riiiiggght!). The point here is that we are working on HOPE and openness for personal improvement – stay with me --keep your options open People we’re not done yet!). Wheew, now that I’ve got you back, let’s take it up a holy notch.
We can’t fool our creator, cuz He sees e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! When you get down to it, when we do things for the right reasons (God’s way) all deeds are for the good of others. It may not always run smoothly (what would be the fun in that?). Be cautious not to feel shamed just because others will not agree with you when you are doing the right thing. Working for the Lord can make you a bit unpopular. However, there is nothing to feel shameful about even if a little dirt is turned over and a few people chit chat a bit about you (don’t let them hurt your little feelings you’ve got a bigger friend on your side!).
You’re living the good life now. Our former “selfish” motives are now softened to “self-less” alms (charitable donations) and the feeling it produces is positive and heavenly even in the midst of life’s hiccups.
The truth of the matter is that we can’t fool God, our creator (and that my friends, is where it all begins and ends). Genuine efforts, true values, and good morals are par for the course. Being true to God gives you peace inside. It’s the only way to live.
Read, study, and share to improve your values and morals with positive people (gaining a little confidence helps with any new venture). Then take it to the streets. Know where you are going before you put your best foot forward. Practice makes almost perfect and God r-e-a-l-l-y appreciates someone who is working at being better.
The ultimate goal is to be an imitator of Christ. Wow, incredible shoes to walk in and an amazing journey to say the least. Your creator will reward your genuine efforts even when your weaknesses and flaws are exposed.
Have a blast with your new stride, the new soft path you carve out will become a popular wider and more permanent foundation as you bring others along for the ride. (Yeah, your cup is half full and change is “FUN”.)
You’ve got a fresh perspective and new look from the inside out. From where I’m sitting the world is looking like a better place because you are in it! Have a great walk!
Inspired by:
Luke 11:37-41
While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you."
Brothers & Sisters In Christ
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
"Knock, knock." "Whose there?"
Knock, knock. Who’s there?
“Knock, knock. Ho-ho-ho, anybody there?” Samantha stood expectantly waiting at the front door of her sister’s apartment, her arms filled with beautifully wrapped gifts. Immediately upon hearing her sister’s voice, Becki stopped dead in her tracks and flung her arm across the hallway making a sudden barricade blocking the way for her husband.
Samantha tried the cheery decorated red door again. She rearranged the gifts and goodies in her arms and slipped her right hand out from beneath the packages. Reaching through the middle of the full fragrant fresh pine wreath that hung on the door she wrapped her fingers around the gold door knocker and tried again.
“Knock, knock.” She waited and again no response. This time Samantha peeked through the door’s side beveled window trimmed with little white twinkling lights. Becki caught a moment’s glimpse of her sister’s familiar made up eyes, her jolly Santa’s hat, and the shiny ribbons on the elegantly wrapped packages.
Throwing her body back in an effort to hide herself, Becki bumped her head against the picture frame hanging on the wall. She rashly pushed up her long sleeves on her reindeer fleece pajamas to reveal her hands and turned to straighten out the picture. She felt herself automatically rolling her own eyeballs at meeting her 5 year old sister’s eyes in the old photograph of herself, her sister and their mother. “She was everywhere,” Becki grumbled internally.
“Ho, ho, ho! Santa knows you must be there,” Samantha called sweetly, “I heard the creaking upstairs and I see the light on,” she called lightly through the door.
“Don’t answer it,” Becki whispered, now face to face with her husband, holding him back by the collar of his new dark chocolate plush velour robe. “Becki, this is ridiculous,” John whispered sternly, flicking back the reindeer ears that had now fallen forward on his head. Just inches from his wife, he looked intently right into her urgent round brown eyes with lids that were smeared with painted eyelashes of a make do Rudolph. “That’s your sister out there,” John said pointing toward the front door and then feeling the weight of her stronghold, he placed his hands on hers and one by one peeled her cuffed fingers from his billowy soft collar.
“B-e-c-k-i, Merry Christmas honey” the sweet voice sang out, “Its S-a-m-a-n-t-h-a, your s-i-s. Open up, I’ve got gifts for you and Nattie and I baked John’s favorite pumpkin bread.”
“I don’t understand why you won’t just open the door,” John shot back pressing his toes into the carpet. “Because . . .,” Becki’s voice trailed off sounding as always unsure and unable to conjure up a valid reason for her behavior. “Because . . . she might ask you to spend a little time with her . . . Because she might want to share a cup of coffee with you . . .,” John barely tried after a deep breath. “Because she’ll want to chit chat over a cup of coffee, borrow my angora sweater when she’s got her own clothes, buy me a purse when I’ve got enough, or want to go shopping! It’s always something,” Becki exclaimed like a little spoiled child knowing full well how extremely selfish she sounded. There she was again fighting this powerfully odd overwhelming anger because she was feeling forced to try to explain herself and furious that she had to feel that, t-h-a-t way again.
“Your sister Samantha is a load of laughs. I don’t know why you don’t enjoy her company. And she’s always returned anything that she’s borrowed, you said so yourself. You’ve even gone so far as to give her your least favorite sweater and then take it back because it looked better on her. She even bought you a new white sweater when she stained that one you said you were going to give to the goodwill. Why would that upset you, she’s a sweetheart,” John exclaimed a little louder. Becki put her hands to his mouth to quiet him. “J-o-h-n, not so loud, she might hear you!”
“Geez, why do I have to whisper, this is my house,” John exclaimed throwing his hands up in the air. Sounding defensive now, Becki blew back like a muffled trumpet speaking between her gritted teeth, “I k-n-o-w t-h-a-t John, you don’t have to point that out to me.”
John looked at her with disbelief. “This is really not the way I want to spend Christmas morning or any other day of my life. Look at me. I’m trapped in my hallway, being hushed by my wife who looks like a reindeer. I’m wearing these huge crazy antlers with matching shorts and robe, and we are here dodging your only sister, who loves you by the way, while she stands out in the hallway with Christmas gifts and my favorite pumpkin bread while you try to figure out some sort of far fetched reason to reject her today.”
Becki nervously bit her lower lip as she watched her husband take a deep breath and close his eyes for a moment to regain his composure. She hated when he did that, but what she despised now even more, was the sudden realization that only she did that to him. John, Becki thought scornfully, was fine with everyone else.
“Explain it to me Becki. What is it between you two? We’ve been married for seven years and I’ve watched you day after day doing everything you can to keep from being nice to that woman! You think you hide it well, but believe me it shows!”
“She’s just like my mother,” Becki shouted out loud which she had not anticipated. Her hands flew up to muffle her voice that had spoken illegally about what seemed like some ill truth. She had never said or thought about such a thing before. She realized just then that Samantha reminded her so much of her mother. Even more, she wildly questioned herself, why am I so angry? Had she, she now wondered, not forgiven her mother for dying?
Becki felt sudden waves of abandonment flood her enraged heart; feelings that have been stored up for the past 10 years were now unlocked and moving undisciplined throughout her being. She turned impassioned to look at the picture hanging on the wall behind her, and affectionately ran her fingers across her mother’s face and then her sister’s and saw it, for the first time, the great resemblance her mother and sister shared. Could her sister’s looks, facial expressions, and the way she carried herself be so much like her mother, she pondered, that she subconsciously rejected her? Was there really anything wrong with their relationship, or was there something specific about Samantha herself, Becki thought, that made her feel so annoyed all the time. Could it really be me, she wondered.
She was suddenly fighting new tender compassionate feelings and Becki’s heart and eyes welled up with emotions and tears foreign to her while the anger that had become her new normal bounced around her body unsure of where to land.
“You just don’t understand John,” infuriation winning out, “you didn’t have to grow up with her.” Growing up together, Becki quickly surmised, was beautiful with her sister. “And now,” Becki continued, as if speaking through the voice of an alien or a vaguely and yet familiar stranger, “I can’t believe she’s living in the downstairs apartment. I just can’t get away from her,” she said in desperation hearing the ludicrous comments come out of her mouth.
“Frankly Becki, I’m tired of tip toeing around every time the door bell rings. You always give in anyway. I don’t know why you are prolonging the matter.” “I can’t believe you are taking her side John.” “There are no sides Becki!”
John breathed deep again, and slumped down slightly to meet the height of her eyes. “Do you know what I think?” “I don’t know if I want to know what you think,” Becki said with her arms crossed and her red nose turned up now like a spoiled child. “Well you are going to have to face the ugly truth Becki.” “And what’s that John,” she now spoke with a quivering voice. “That it’s not your sister who is the problem, it’s you!” “What!” Becki was livid and oddly relieved. First her own heart was toying with her and now her husband was the bearer of yet more insightful surprising painstaking news and shocking yet enlightening gifts of words of wisdom that she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear.
“Yeah, that’s right. You’re holding something over her head and you don’t even know what it is.” John continued, “All that woman has ever done is love you. You know I’ve watched you two together, and I know you really love her, you r-e-a-l-l-y do, but you’ve got this competitive thing going on with her. I just don’t get it Becki. Why would you deliberately reject someone who is just trying to love you!” “You’re crazy, John Palmer, I can’t believe you are saying these things to me. You’re my husband, whose side are you on anyway!” “There you go again Becki. She’s your family, your blood! This is not a competition. Now if you hate her that much, then why don’t you just tell her to get out of your life and stop with all this nonsense!”
Samantha stood there with her mouth wide open and her eyes as big and round as chestnuts. He was right, if she hated her that much why hadn’t she ever told her that before. Again, a preposterous thought and an absurd statement came from a foreign place inside. Becki had never hated anybody in her life and she could certainly not feel that way toward her only sister. How long have I been doing this to her? What must it have been making her feel like to be repeatedly snubbed, ignored, rejected, and turned down time after time Becki wondered hastily. And to think that she had been doing that to her sister all these years, while Samantha mourned her mother too.
This last realization caused a sudden pitiful contraction in her heart. Her stomach was in instant agony, her body had grown cold and clammy, her throat closed and went dry and her conscience suffered a disgraceful trauma.
Little Carolina appeared in the hallway, like an angel, looking whimsically sleepy, with fly away wispy golden curls that merrily danced around her small head. Wiping the sleep from her four year old eyes she asked curiously, “Mommy, isn’t that auntie Samantha at the door? Why don’t you let her in,” finished the innocent cherub’s voice. Carolina looked up at her mommy and daddy who were now embracing and without instruction or hesitation headed straight for the front door.
Becki automatically took a breath and intended to call out to Carolina to stop her, but John gently put his hands over Becki’s mouth and pressed lightly on her lips. “Let her in, honey. Let your sister into your heart”.
Carolina reached up and turned the door knob that was snuggled by the musical snowman doorhanger, and the holiday tune from Becki’s childhood commenced and her heart began to melt at a feverish pace as the melody sent itself through the sugar cookie filled air that still hovered from the eve before.
At the sound of the first bars of music, flashes of quick memories of her mother clouded and distracted Becki’s emotional state and abruptly aroused and bewildered her aching heart. Then the lyrics of this tender memory filled song and her mother’s delightful voice floated through Becki’s psyche, “Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light . . . from now on our troubles will be out of sight . . . have yourself a merry little Christmas, make the yule- tide gay . . . from now on your troubles will be miles away . . .
Streams of water drops fell down Becki’s cheeks and her eyes were glossed heavily with bitter-sweet tears that imparted the years she could never recapture.
“Merry Christmas Nattie,” Samantha cooed sweetly to her niece breaking the trance that Becki was in. “These are for you.”
Becki used her sleeve to clear her clouded eyes wanting to see her sister through an ogle that connected to a heart in need of healing. She emotionally gravitated toward that voice that was her mother’s and yet uniquely Samantha’s; drawn toward that special person that had all these years loved her unconditionally.
As John gently nudged his wife out of the hallway he offered tenderly, “She’s waiting for you to love her Becki.” Then he kissed her on top of her faded painted red nose.
Not knowing where it came from inside, Becki darted in her sister’s direction hurdling over Nattie narrowly missing the crown of her head. Nattie now sat near the decorated tree oblivious to the miracles and joys of Christmas and played excitedly and comfortably on her new poinsettia fleece blanket that lay on the hardwood floor in the midst of her bundle of gifts.
Becki hugged her sister tight, and buried her adolescent head and swollen eyes beneath her big sister’s strong chin and solid shoulder. Her body trembled with an urgent love to connect to her lineage. “It’s okay Becki, I know,” Samantha said gently, stroking her back. “We both loved her.”
. . . through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow . . . hang a shining star upon the highest bough, and have yourself a merry little Christmas now.”
Inspired by:
Luke 11:5-10
And Jesus said to them, “suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is a friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and given him whatever he needs. So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
“Knock, knock. Ho-ho-ho, anybody there?” Samantha stood expectantly waiting at the front door of her sister’s apartment, her arms filled with beautifully wrapped gifts. Immediately upon hearing her sister’s voice, Becki stopped dead in her tracks and flung her arm across the hallway making a sudden barricade blocking the way for her husband.
Samantha tried the cheery decorated red door again. She rearranged the gifts and goodies in her arms and slipped her right hand out from beneath the packages. Reaching through the middle of the full fragrant fresh pine wreath that hung on the door she wrapped her fingers around the gold door knocker and tried again.
“Knock, knock.” She waited and again no response. This time Samantha peeked through the door’s side beveled window trimmed with little white twinkling lights. Becki caught a moment’s glimpse of her sister’s familiar made up eyes, her jolly Santa’s hat, and the shiny ribbons on the elegantly wrapped packages.
Throwing her body back in an effort to hide herself, Becki bumped her head against the picture frame hanging on the wall. She rashly pushed up her long sleeves on her reindeer fleece pajamas to reveal her hands and turned to straighten out the picture. She felt herself automatically rolling her own eyeballs at meeting her 5 year old sister’s eyes in the old photograph of herself, her sister and their mother. “She was everywhere,” Becki grumbled internally.
“Ho, ho, ho! Santa knows you must be there,” Samantha called sweetly, “I heard the creaking upstairs and I see the light on,” she called lightly through the door.
“Don’t answer it,” Becki whispered, now face to face with her husband, holding him back by the collar of his new dark chocolate plush velour robe. “Becki, this is ridiculous,” John whispered sternly, flicking back the reindeer ears that had now fallen forward on his head. Just inches from his wife, he looked intently right into her urgent round brown eyes with lids that were smeared with painted eyelashes of a make do Rudolph. “That’s your sister out there,” John said pointing toward the front door and then feeling the weight of her stronghold, he placed his hands on hers and one by one peeled her cuffed fingers from his billowy soft collar.
“B-e-c-k-i, Merry Christmas honey” the sweet voice sang out, “Its S-a-m-a-n-t-h-a, your s-i-s. Open up, I’ve got gifts for you and Nattie and I baked John’s favorite pumpkin bread.”
“I don’t understand why you won’t just open the door,” John shot back pressing his toes into the carpet. “Because . . .,” Becki’s voice trailed off sounding as always unsure and unable to conjure up a valid reason for her behavior. “Because . . . she might ask you to spend a little time with her . . . Because she might want to share a cup of coffee with you . . .,” John barely tried after a deep breath. “Because she’ll want to chit chat over a cup of coffee, borrow my angora sweater when she’s got her own clothes, buy me a purse when I’ve got enough, or want to go shopping! It’s always something,” Becki exclaimed like a little spoiled child knowing full well how extremely selfish she sounded. There she was again fighting this powerfully odd overwhelming anger because she was feeling forced to try to explain herself and furious that she had to feel that, t-h-a-t way again.
“Your sister Samantha is a load of laughs. I don’t know why you don’t enjoy her company. And she’s always returned anything that she’s borrowed, you said so yourself. You’ve even gone so far as to give her your least favorite sweater and then take it back because it looked better on her. She even bought you a new white sweater when she stained that one you said you were going to give to the goodwill. Why would that upset you, she’s a sweetheart,” John exclaimed a little louder. Becki put her hands to his mouth to quiet him. “J-o-h-n, not so loud, she might hear you!”
“Geez, why do I have to whisper, this is my house,” John exclaimed throwing his hands up in the air. Sounding defensive now, Becki blew back like a muffled trumpet speaking between her gritted teeth, “I k-n-o-w t-h-a-t John, you don’t have to point that out to me.”
John looked at her with disbelief. “This is really not the way I want to spend Christmas morning or any other day of my life. Look at me. I’m trapped in my hallway, being hushed by my wife who looks like a reindeer. I’m wearing these huge crazy antlers with matching shorts and robe, and we are here dodging your only sister, who loves you by the way, while she stands out in the hallway with Christmas gifts and my favorite pumpkin bread while you try to figure out some sort of far fetched reason to reject her today.”
Becki nervously bit her lower lip as she watched her husband take a deep breath and close his eyes for a moment to regain his composure. She hated when he did that, but what she despised now even more, was the sudden realization that only she did that to him. John, Becki thought scornfully, was fine with everyone else.
“Explain it to me Becki. What is it between you two? We’ve been married for seven years and I’ve watched you day after day doing everything you can to keep from being nice to that woman! You think you hide it well, but believe me it shows!”
“She’s just like my mother,” Becki shouted out loud which she had not anticipated. Her hands flew up to muffle her voice that had spoken illegally about what seemed like some ill truth. She had never said or thought about such a thing before. She realized just then that Samantha reminded her so much of her mother. Even more, she wildly questioned herself, why am I so angry? Had she, she now wondered, not forgiven her mother for dying?
Becki felt sudden waves of abandonment flood her enraged heart; feelings that have been stored up for the past 10 years were now unlocked and moving undisciplined throughout her being. She turned impassioned to look at the picture hanging on the wall behind her, and affectionately ran her fingers across her mother’s face and then her sister’s and saw it, for the first time, the great resemblance her mother and sister shared. Could her sister’s looks, facial expressions, and the way she carried herself be so much like her mother, she pondered, that she subconsciously rejected her? Was there really anything wrong with their relationship, or was there something specific about Samantha herself, Becki thought, that made her feel so annoyed all the time. Could it really be me, she wondered.
She was suddenly fighting new tender compassionate feelings and Becki’s heart and eyes welled up with emotions and tears foreign to her while the anger that had become her new normal bounced around her body unsure of where to land.
“You just don’t understand John,” infuriation winning out, “you didn’t have to grow up with her.” Growing up together, Becki quickly surmised, was beautiful with her sister. “And now,” Becki continued, as if speaking through the voice of an alien or a vaguely and yet familiar stranger, “I can’t believe she’s living in the downstairs apartment. I just can’t get away from her,” she said in desperation hearing the ludicrous comments come out of her mouth.
“Frankly Becki, I’m tired of tip toeing around every time the door bell rings. You always give in anyway. I don’t know why you are prolonging the matter.” “I can’t believe you are taking her side John.” “There are no sides Becki!”
John breathed deep again, and slumped down slightly to meet the height of her eyes. “Do you know what I think?” “I don’t know if I want to know what you think,” Becki said with her arms crossed and her red nose turned up now like a spoiled child. “Well you are going to have to face the ugly truth Becki.” “And what’s that John,” she now spoke with a quivering voice. “That it’s not your sister who is the problem, it’s you!” “What!” Becki was livid and oddly relieved. First her own heart was toying with her and now her husband was the bearer of yet more insightful surprising painstaking news and shocking yet enlightening gifts of words of wisdom that she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear.
“Yeah, that’s right. You’re holding something over her head and you don’t even know what it is.” John continued, “All that woman has ever done is love you. You know I’ve watched you two together, and I know you really love her, you r-e-a-l-l-y do, but you’ve got this competitive thing going on with her. I just don’t get it Becki. Why would you deliberately reject someone who is just trying to love you!” “You’re crazy, John Palmer, I can’t believe you are saying these things to me. You’re my husband, whose side are you on anyway!” “There you go again Becki. She’s your family, your blood! This is not a competition. Now if you hate her that much, then why don’t you just tell her to get out of your life and stop with all this nonsense!”
Samantha stood there with her mouth wide open and her eyes as big and round as chestnuts. He was right, if she hated her that much why hadn’t she ever told her that before. Again, a preposterous thought and an absurd statement came from a foreign place inside. Becki had never hated anybody in her life and she could certainly not feel that way toward her only sister. How long have I been doing this to her? What must it have been making her feel like to be repeatedly snubbed, ignored, rejected, and turned down time after time Becki wondered hastily. And to think that she had been doing that to her sister all these years, while Samantha mourned her mother too.
This last realization caused a sudden pitiful contraction in her heart. Her stomach was in instant agony, her body had grown cold and clammy, her throat closed and went dry and her conscience suffered a disgraceful trauma.
Little Carolina appeared in the hallway, like an angel, looking whimsically sleepy, with fly away wispy golden curls that merrily danced around her small head. Wiping the sleep from her four year old eyes she asked curiously, “Mommy, isn’t that auntie Samantha at the door? Why don’t you let her in,” finished the innocent cherub’s voice. Carolina looked up at her mommy and daddy who were now embracing and without instruction or hesitation headed straight for the front door.
Becki automatically took a breath and intended to call out to Carolina to stop her, but John gently put his hands over Becki’s mouth and pressed lightly on her lips. “Let her in, honey. Let your sister into your heart”.
Carolina reached up and turned the door knob that was snuggled by the musical snowman doorhanger, and the holiday tune from Becki’s childhood commenced and her heart began to melt at a feverish pace as the melody sent itself through the sugar cookie filled air that still hovered from the eve before.
At the sound of the first bars of music, flashes of quick memories of her mother clouded and distracted Becki’s emotional state and abruptly aroused and bewildered her aching heart. Then the lyrics of this tender memory filled song and her mother’s delightful voice floated through Becki’s psyche, “Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light . . . from now on our troubles will be out of sight . . . have yourself a merry little Christmas, make the yule- tide gay . . . from now on your troubles will be miles away . . .
Streams of water drops fell down Becki’s cheeks and her eyes were glossed heavily with bitter-sweet tears that imparted the years she could never recapture.
“Merry Christmas Nattie,” Samantha cooed sweetly to her niece breaking the trance that Becki was in. “These are for you.”
Becki used her sleeve to clear her clouded eyes wanting to see her sister through an ogle that connected to a heart in need of healing. She emotionally gravitated toward that voice that was her mother’s and yet uniquely Samantha’s; drawn toward that special person that had all these years loved her unconditionally.
As John gently nudged his wife out of the hallway he offered tenderly, “She’s waiting for you to love her Becki.” Then he kissed her on top of her faded painted red nose.
Not knowing where it came from inside, Becki darted in her sister’s direction hurdling over Nattie narrowly missing the crown of her head. Nattie now sat near the decorated tree oblivious to the miracles and joys of Christmas and played excitedly and comfortably on her new poinsettia fleece blanket that lay on the hardwood floor in the midst of her bundle of gifts.
Becki hugged her sister tight, and buried her adolescent head and swollen eyes beneath her big sister’s strong chin and solid shoulder. Her body trembled with an urgent love to connect to her lineage. “It’s okay Becki, I know,” Samantha said gently, stroking her back. “We both loved her.”
. . . through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow . . . hang a shining star upon the highest bough, and have yourself a merry little Christmas now.”
Inspired by:
Luke 11:5-10
And Jesus said to them, “suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is a friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and given him whatever he needs. So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The Good Life
Many interpret the “good life” as meaning a life full of material goods, money, leisure time, and not having to work. How many people live this way? And if they do, are they really happy? The average white or blue collared worker may be jealous of rich pampered people sitting pretty with what seems like all the luxuries of life. What is luxury and leisure? Who deserves the good life? How can we, the everyday Joes, obtain it, live it, and keep it?
Let’s start with Merriam-Webster’s definition of “luxury” = a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort; sumptuous environment; something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary, an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction or ease.
We just might unknowingly interpret luxury as expensive and something we have to pay a high price for. Luxury comes in many simple forms. Let’s look at the place we call home and the life we call ours and see if we can’t find some luxurious qualities within our own walls and selves.
Whether we rent, pay a mortgage, or own the property out right, our home should be our sanctuary and a place where we feel safe to lay our head at night. Beyond the normal comforts of home, what about those things that make us feel extraordinarily good!
A simple uncluttered house may seem luxurious or pleasurable to one while a home filled with mementos, photos and nick nacks fulfill the same emotion. A cup of hot coffee or cocoa in a favorite cup on a cold night may be the ultimate pleasure for one while another seeks pleasure tinkering in the garage making crafts or creating wood work or cabinetry. Someone may find their complete peace and say that luxury exists when the television remote is in hand, with a bowl of popcorn, blanket and pillow nearby while another would be more than satisfied with the stillness in the house in the early morning, their bible and a cup of hot green tea calling it their heaven. Find your simple pleasures and become conscious of making your life extra-ordinary with things you have rather than with things that are out of reach or unnecessary.
The saying “the good life” could be over rated and we may well have removed ourselves from being eligible recipients of it. We must believe we could live this way and are entitled to nice things, even fancy and expensive ones. Just because we don’t have millions in our bank account doesn’t mean we can’t own fine articles of clothing, jewelry, or an upscale piece of property (we can, that is, if we can afford it!). Remember you have to be able to have the extra cash to indulge in the expensive good life stuff. But what about the simply affordable “good life stuff”. What is that?
The good life is leisure and includes lack of worry. Go ahead take the good life you are entitled to. Don’t worry about money and certainly don’t carry the burden of other people’s problems on your shoulders. You can raise a family, be involved in charitable work and be employed and still reap the benefits of the good life.
We overload our schedules with too much to do and work during all our otherwise leisure time. It is in times like these we rob ourselves of opportunities to enjoy relationships and our belongings. Our time is important and we should place a high value on it. You have control of your time. Rework your schedule so you can have “the good life” too.
If we didn’t have to work chances are after a time we’d get bored (Okay it could be a real long time. That is besides the point!). The thought of doing absolutely nothing seems appealing however it’s an opportunity for a brain to get lazy and turn to mush; not to mention, developing an attitude of pompousness, pettiness, callousness and selfishness. We all need to do something worthwhile! Making it a mission to find that certain something that makes us feel validated and empowered is key. If we’ve got to work to dig ourselves out of this hole we’ve dug, let’s make it something we enjoy while we scratch our way back to the surface! By the way, one does not have to earn top dollar either to be profitable. Yes, most would agree it would be nice to ear gobs of money (hello – old you remember?). Aggh, working should pay for our basic means, and a reasonable amount of extra-ordinary luxuries (hmmm, living like the rich without the frills – sounds like an idea for a story). We should not work to try to catch up to the debt we’ve put ourselves in. Living beyond our means is equal to making the minimum payment on a charge card, it will never get paid off, and you will never receive the payoff – financial freedom. So trim the fat off your spending! Too boot, our attitudes are tweaked when we live in arrears and that ugly stuck feeling is with you for what seems like eternity.
Speaking of attitude, it stinks. Yeah, most of us have a horrible attitude over life in general. We complain about our boss, co-worker, brother, sister, spouse and children. We yak about the insurance agent who gave the outrageous quote, the terrible teacher who loses you in class, the so-called friends that are there when you have money, and who disappear when you are broke. We complain about everything, even ourselves.
Complaining is a waste of time. If you are going to complain, do something about the unfair situation or about you! Many times our complaints are not about unfairness, but rather we are sometimes reaching for something beyond our means or beyond our narrow-minded one-sided way of thinking. There are two, three and sometimes more sides or perspectives to all situations. It all depends on our mindset. Let it go, go with the flow (if its good) and give the situation to God. He takes care of it anyway. Why hold on to something that makes you feel miserable if you don’t have to. Yes, it really is that easy!
Money, money, money, the ultimate dream! Yes money can buy any material thing. The value we place on material things, and the quality thereof determines the price some are willing to pay. Some things in life have been priced right out of our pocketbook! Really, you don’t have to have it. Take a look at the things you have now and find a new appreciation for them. Recall how that old car you still drive got you to and from all those auditions, school meetings and dates before you married. And appreciate how now it still gets you to and from work and handles the visits with friends and family. Hey in all likelihood you don’t have a car payment and the insurance is affordable. The next time you buy clothes, shoes or some other accessory, make sure you love it! That way it will not hang with the tags in your closest or be stored under the bed in a dusty box until that one day when its time to clean out and give to the local Goodwill. You don’t NEED a new movie for your collection, YOU’VE GOT ENOUGH FOR A VIDEO STORE!
Pamper, spoil, and treat yourself to things within your grasp. This does not mean to give up dreams or reach for something beyond your means. You can do those things when you’ve mastered being happy with you and where you are at.
Go ahead and make a fuss over yourself. Enjoy the beauty of the world God provided. Live the good life you deserve it!
Have a blessed day!
Inspired by Isaiah 66:10-13a
Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her-that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom. For thus says the Lord: I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.
Many interpret the “good life” as meaning a life full of material goods, money, leisure time, and not having to work. How many people live this way? And if they do, are they really happy? The average white or blue collared worker may be jealous of rich pampered people sitting pretty with what seems like all the luxuries of life. What is luxury and leisure? Who deserves the good life? How can we, the everyday Joes, obtain it, live it, and keep it?
Let’s start with Merriam-Webster’s definition of “luxury” = a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort; sumptuous environment; something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary, an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction or ease.
We just might unknowingly interpret luxury as expensive and something we have to pay a high price for. Luxury comes in many simple forms. Let’s look at the place we call home and the life we call ours and see if we can’t find some luxurious qualities within our own walls and selves.
Whether we rent, pay a mortgage, or own the property out right, our home should be our sanctuary and a place where we feel safe to lay our head at night. Beyond the normal comforts of home, what about those things that make us feel extraordinarily good!
A simple uncluttered house may seem luxurious or pleasurable to one while a home filled with mementos, photos and nick nacks fulfill the same emotion. A cup of hot coffee or cocoa in a favorite cup on a cold night may be the ultimate pleasure for one while another seeks pleasure tinkering in the garage making crafts or creating wood work or cabinetry. Someone may find their complete peace and say that luxury exists when the television remote is in hand, with a bowl of popcorn, blanket and pillow nearby while another would be more than satisfied with the stillness in the house in the early morning, their bible and a cup of hot green tea calling it their heaven. Find your simple pleasures and become conscious of making your life extra-ordinary with things you have rather than with things that are out of reach or unnecessary.
The saying “the good life” could be over rated and we may well have removed ourselves from being eligible recipients of it. We must believe we could live this way and are entitled to nice things, even fancy and expensive ones. Just because we don’t have millions in our bank account doesn’t mean we can’t own fine articles of clothing, jewelry, or an upscale piece of property (we can, that is, if we can afford it!). Remember you have to be able to have the extra cash to indulge in the expensive good life stuff. But what about the simply affordable “good life stuff”. What is that?
The good life is leisure and includes lack of worry. Go ahead take the good life you are entitled to. Don’t worry about money and certainly don’t carry the burden of other people’s problems on your shoulders. You can raise a family, be involved in charitable work and be employed and still reap the benefits of the good life.
We overload our schedules with too much to do and work during all our otherwise leisure time. It is in times like these we rob ourselves of opportunities to enjoy relationships and our belongings. Our time is important and we should place a high value on it. You have control of your time. Rework your schedule so you can have “the good life” too.
If we didn’t have to work chances are after a time we’d get bored (Okay it could be a real long time. That is besides the point!). The thought of doing absolutely nothing seems appealing however it’s an opportunity for a brain to get lazy and turn to mush; not to mention, developing an attitude of pompousness, pettiness, callousness and selfishness. We all need to do something worthwhile! Making it a mission to find that certain something that makes us feel validated and empowered is key. If we’ve got to work to dig ourselves out of this hole we’ve dug, let’s make it something we enjoy while we scratch our way back to the surface! By the way, one does not have to earn top dollar either to be profitable. Yes, most would agree it would be nice to ear gobs of money (hello – old you remember?). Aggh, working should pay for our basic means, and a reasonable amount of extra-ordinary luxuries (hmmm, living like the rich without the frills – sounds like an idea for a story). We should not work to try to catch up to the debt we’ve put ourselves in. Living beyond our means is equal to making the minimum payment on a charge card, it will never get paid off, and you will never receive the payoff – financial freedom. So trim the fat off your spending! Too boot, our attitudes are tweaked when we live in arrears and that ugly stuck feeling is with you for what seems like eternity.
Speaking of attitude, it stinks. Yeah, most of us have a horrible attitude over life in general. We complain about our boss, co-worker, brother, sister, spouse and children. We yak about the insurance agent who gave the outrageous quote, the terrible teacher who loses you in class, the so-called friends that are there when you have money, and who disappear when you are broke. We complain about everything, even ourselves.
Complaining is a waste of time. If you are going to complain, do something about the unfair situation or about you! Many times our complaints are not about unfairness, but rather we are sometimes reaching for something beyond our means or beyond our narrow-minded one-sided way of thinking. There are two, three and sometimes more sides or perspectives to all situations. It all depends on our mindset. Let it go, go with the flow (if its good) and give the situation to God. He takes care of it anyway. Why hold on to something that makes you feel miserable if you don’t have to. Yes, it really is that easy!
Money, money, money, the ultimate dream! Yes money can buy any material thing. The value we place on material things, and the quality thereof determines the price some are willing to pay. Some things in life have been priced right out of our pocketbook! Really, you don’t have to have it. Take a look at the things you have now and find a new appreciation for them. Recall how that old car you still drive got you to and from all those auditions, school meetings and dates before you married. And appreciate how now it still gets you to and from work and handles the visits with friends and family. Hey in all likelihood you don’t have a car payment and the insurance is affordable. The next time you buy clothes, shoes or some other accessory, make sure you love it! That way it will not hang with the tags in your closest or be stored under the bed in a dusty box until that one day when its time to clean out and give to the local Goodwill. You don’t NEED a new movie for your collection, YOU’VE GOT ENOUGH FOR A VIDEO STORE!
Pamper, spoil, and treat yourself to things within your grasp. This does not mean to give up dreams or reach for something beyond your means. You can do those things when you’ve mastered being happy with you and where you are at.
Go ahead and make a fuss over yourself. Enjoy the beauty of the world God provided. Live the good life you deserve it!
Have a blessed day!
Inspired by Isaiah 66:10-13a
Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her-that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom. For thus says the Lord: I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Show God What You've Got
Show God What You’ve Got!
Trying to help someone can be quite a challenge. We encounter frustration when we fight against learned behaviors and a multitude of differences of opinions, hardheadedness, selfishness and egos of others and, of course, ourselves. We may even find that simply being naïve can stop progress. The most important way to help another is to gain knowledge by educating ourselves with God’s word as written in the bible, and our growth will come from practice living our lives imitating Christ.
While we are on our personal journey, we can encourage by bringing people along the challenging path to a higher level of love and goodness. Our aim, as was Christ’s, is to work together to assist all, let go of those who fight goodness, and continue in love to offer aid to those who believe, want and seek help.
Our help should come from a heartfelt charitable origin and derived from a solid moral and value filled foundation. Our base must be strong, sound and holy in its conception, with an ongoing spiritual attitude, and with steady blameless and virtuous actions.
The ultimate sentiment would of course be a gratifying life as you work in the name of God and His Son for decency, honesty, kindness, integrity, and love for the sake of another human being as is done for us and seen in our multitude of daily blessings.
The way we choose to be of assistance often comes naturally and is effective but not perfect. We are certainly susceptible to making mistakes. We don’t necessarily think about how our getting involved or simply our view can have a negative effect on another person. Although we may mean well, the outcome may seem or feel otherwise.
We realize, albeit sometimes too late, that the part we played has caused, or potentially could have a harmful impact on another person or persons.
Setbacks occur when we move forward without much forethought about the personalities we are dealing with, experiences, beliefs, and a willingness to change. Sometimes we put the cart before the horse. We can act before we think.
We may unknowingly deliver a message that puts down another and/or is perceived as cutting and pierces the heart because of tone or even guilt. These harsh ideas and personal lessons that we are not ready for are guaranteed to weigh heavy on the heart and will continue to ring in our ears long after a conversation or encounter is over.
We may sometimes carry the burden of someone’s troubles when we lend an ear. When we get involved, we may find it difficult to separate ourselves personally from the circumstances. All human beings are not equipped or able to keep from getting too personal. It could be easy to assume that another person is sharing their circumstances looking for a resolution or a different solution when in reality they just might be looking for someone to simply vent on.
We walk a fine line when we lose sight of the fact that another’s life is not ours to live out. Our opinions and judgments should not be imposed on another, especially when they are suffering. To judge is truly not something we should be engaging in; rather it is a matter for our God. The part we can take is much simpler.
We can offer words of peace, solidarity, harmony, unity, and commonality. All these things begin and end with love. Love at its beginning, at its core, and at its rest is still adoration, respect, esteem, high regard, hence, love.
Love must be stronger than words that can blemish the soul. When there is guilt our defenses are sure to fight back. Although meant well, from time to time our view can be delivered like a severe punch in the gut.
When the damage is already done and the hurt still fresh, as much as we may try to back paddle, it will not fix or un-due marred feelings, especially in the heat of anger. Words once spoken cannot be taken back so care should be taken when delivering a sensitive message. There is a right way, place, and time for all things.
Time heals. In an ideal world, sincere words would make things right instantly. However, our world is flawed. In order for words to be received with their proper intention the receiver must be in the proper frame of mind. Therefore, there is much for all of us to learn.
Since often we are a product of our environment, the things we do and the thoughts we think seem quite normal. We may truly believe that we are right and to be called ”off the mark” is not easy to accept.
It is a blow to one’s ego to let go of life, as we know it, when we trade up for the way of Christ. The ego is very lonely when it finds its true friend. This good friend will remind the ego that it’s got to choose the right way or the highway, and that there is no middle ground. It does not know how to easily modify its behavior or adapt, alter or change; and it certainly does not take a liking to defeat. Patience is a virtue and improvement is possible with a willing heart.
It’s highly unlikely we will reach the height of Christ’s perfection, however, we can strive to be more than we are today.
To change is definitely a challenge to one’s sense of self. We must give ourselves room to grow to improve our values and morals. Jesus Christ set the example and He is the One we shall model ourselves after.
We cannot manipulate or alter God’s intentions to suit our own needs and circumstances. Jesus had a specific mission and he died on the cross for us defending righteousness.
Finding the right balance of love, character, tact, as well as asking questions, comparing notes of past experiences to the present are conditions that may require kit gloves and patience. Eventually your new skills will emerge as the new normal. Yes, it sounds like a lot of work, and life is, without a doubt! However, aren’t the best things in life worth so much more when you have worked for them?
Be a good friend, spouse, child and representative of God. Don’t be afraid to go against the grain. You’ll know in your heart when it’s the right to do. To help is not to become popular. On the contrary, when we do right, it goes against what most people would do naturally.
We must also be ready and prepared to be a recipient of help. Work on having a warm open heart and accepting mind that is able to partake in challenge and adapt to change.
Whether the giver or receiver, leave room for change and offer a chance for someone to rectify, resolve, mend and make a relationship or situation right.
This is your life, your time and opportunity to “show God what you’ve got”! With God first in your heart the rest will follow.
Inspired by:
Luke 9:1-6
Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money –not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” They departed and went through the villages, bringing good news and curing diseases everywhere.
Trying to help someone can be quite a challenge. We encounter frustration when we fight against learned behaviors and a multitude of differences of opinions, hardheadedness, selfishness and egos of others and, of course, ourselves. We may even find that simply being naïve can stop progress. The most important way to help another is to gain knowledge by educating ourselves with God’s word as written in the bible, and our growth will come from practice living our lives imitating Christ.
While we are on our personal journey, we can encourage by bringing people along the challenging path to a higher level of love and goodness. Our aim, as was Christ’s, is to work together to assist all, let go of those who fight goodness, and continue in love to offer aid to those who believe, want and seek help.
Our help should come from a heartfelt charitable origin and derived from a solid moral and value filled foundation. Our base must be strong, sound and holy in its conception, with an ongoing spiritual attitude, and with steady blameless and virtuous actions.
The ultimate sentiment would of course be a gratifying life as you work in the name of God and His Son for decency, honesty, kindness, integrity, and love for the sake of another human being as is done for us and seen in our multitude of daily blessings.
The way we choose to be of assistance often comes naturally and is effective but not perfect. We are certainly susceptible to making mistakes. We don’t necessarily think about how our getting involved or simply our view can have a negative effect on another person. Although we may mean well, the outcome may seem or feel otherwise.
We realize, albeit sometimes too late, that the part we played has caused, or potentially could have a harmful impact on another person or persons.
Setbacks occur when we move forward without much forethought about the personalities we are dealing with, experiences, beliefs, and a willingness to change. Sometimes we put the cart before the horse. We can act before we think.
We may unknowingly deliver a message that puts down another and/or is perceived as cutting and pierces the heart because of tone or even guilt. These harsh ideas and personal lessons that we are not ready for are guaranteed to weigh heavy on the heart and will continue to ring in our ears long after a conversation or encounter is over.
We may sometimes carry the burden of someone’s troubles when we lend an ear. When we get involved, we may find it difficult to separate ourselves personally from the circumstances. All human beings are not equipped or able to keep from getting too personal. It could be easy to assume that another person is sharing their circumstances looking for a resolution or a different solution when in reality they just might be looking for someone to simply vent on.
We walk a fine line when we lose sight of the fact that another’s life is not ours to live out. Our opinions and judgments should not be imposed on another, especially when they are suffering. To judge is truly not something we should be engaging in; rather it is a matter for our God. The part we can take is much simpler.
We can offer words of peace, solidarity, harmony, unity, and commonality. All these things begin and end with love. Love at its beginning, at its core, and at its rest is still adoration, respect, esteem, high regard, hence, love.
Love must be stronger than words that can blemish the soul. When there is guilt our defenses are sure to fight back. Although meant well, from time to time our view can be delivered like a severe punch in the gut.
When the damage is already done and the hurt still fresh, as much as we may try to back paddle, it will not fix or un-due marred feelings, especially in the heat of anger. Words once spoken cannot be taken back so care should be taken when delivering a sensitive message. There is a right way, place, and time for all things.
Time heals. In an ideal world, sincere words would make things right instantly. However, our world is flawed. In order for words to be received with their proper intention the receiver must be in the proper frame of mind. Therefore, there is much for all of us to learn.
Since often we are a product of our environment, the things we do and the thoughts we think seem quite normal. We may truly believe that we are right and to be called ”off the mark” is not easy to accept.
It is a blow to one’s ego to let go of life, as we know it, when we trade up for the way of Christ. The ego is very lonely when it finds its true friend. This good friend will remind the ego that it’s got to choose the right way or the highway, and that there is no middle ground. It does not know how to easily modify its behavior or adapt, alter or change; and it certainly does not take a liking to defeat. Patience is a virtue and improvement is possible with a willing heart.
It’s highly unlikely we will reach the height of Christ’s perfection, however, we can strive to be more than we are today.
To change is definitely a challenge to one’s sense of self. We must give ourselves room to grow to improve our values and morals. Jesus Christ set the example and He is the One we shall model ourselves after.
We cannot manipulate or alter God’s intentions to suit our own needs and circumstances. Jesus had a specific mission and he died on the cross for us defending righteousness.
Finding the right balance of love, character, tact, as well as asking questions, comparing notes of past experiences to the present are conditions that may require kit gloves and patience. Eventually your new skills will emerge as the new normal. Yes, it sounds like a lot of work, and life is, without a doubt! However, aren’t the best things in life worth so much more when you have worked for them?
Be a good friend, spouse, child and representative of God. Don’t be afraid to go against the grain. You’ll know in your heart when it’s the right to do. To help is not to become popular. On the contrary, when we do right, it goes against what most people would do naturally.
We must also be ready and prepared to be a recipient of help. Work on having a warm open heart and accepting mind that is able to partake in challenge and adapt to change.
Whether the giver or receiver, leave room for change and offer a chance for someone to rectify, resolve, mend and make a relationship or situation right.
This is your life, your time and opportunity to “show God what you’ve got”! With God first in your heart the rest will follow.
Inspired by:
Luke 9:1-6
Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money –not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” They departed and went through the villages, bringing good news and curing diseases everywhere.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Free At Last!
Free At Last!
It had been a year of severe struggle, much more than others past. I was getting further and further into debt with no end in sight. Too boot, the vehicle I was driving was sucking blood from my already severely dried up turnip, my pocketbook. I had tried on many occasions to get rid of the beast. I shouldn’t say that, I never felt like that about it, but you know I am human, and I can stretch the truth or exaggerate for entertainment sake.
The reality is that for the past few years I wanted to get a new car (it was a mix of wanting a new car and hiked up gas prices, which weighed on me more I don’t know). The problem was that my financial status with the vehicle was a reflection of my income and expenses for my life, “a mess”.
At least twice a year I headed out in frustration to a dealership looking to car swap. And each time I walked out more irritated than the time before. I know that what I was looking for was a miracle. I wanted someone to give me something for nothing. But what I got instead was, “sure lady, you could have this new car, you’ll just need to cough up about $10,000. Can’t somebody please bail me out of the mess that I’m in?
You see in my world, I conveniently forgot how I got in this tight spot in the first place. I have never been a good money manager. Ask my husband – he’ll tell you. I had no concept of saving. I would just spend. Pull out the credit cards like they were sweet candy kisses – so tempting little morsels - there for the taking and hmmmm, they tasted good. The result, another charge and another month of paying interest that only grew! So much I thought for my miracle, those sales guys, I thought, just want their huge commission!
I remember there were days and nights that I would lose sleep over my state of affairs. I prayed, begged and pleaded with God to please help me. Sometimes I didn’t know where I’d get the money to fill up the gi-normous gas tank! The way gas prices were going up, up, up, I was spending at least $80 ever four days depending on the day’s rate, you do the math! Yes, did you guess, I’m a commuter.
I often wondered why God wouldn’t help me. Why would he want me to stay with this truck that was taking my money in lapping gulps, when all I wanted now was out of this car and this financial mess! Forget about just wanting a new car, this was serious business now. As I look back I realize that the hole I was in was bad enough, but the ditch I would have dug would have been much deeper and disastrous if the sales guy would have let me have my way.
I finally resigned myself to the fact that I would have to grin and bear it. It was mine to pay for and I would SOMEDAY. I stopped thinking about my dilemma and I focused my energies on other positive things. I searched my own soul, conscience and heart for the few things I already knew I possessed for strength and then of course, to God and my bible for ALL THE REST. For the record, the scale leaned on the latter – there is really no comparison – we need to seek God and not ourselves or each other for strength and knowledge for His words are decidedly powerful, they cut to the heart of the matter, they massage your conscious and give it a headache until you ignore it or get it (I suggest you get it or nothing will ever change).
While I waited, I negotiated with my children for the use of their cars on different days and worked around their busy schedules. Before I knew it a year went by. I’m sure the children would have a different view on things).
My sports car, I mean boat, well it’s a suburban, was really a handsome vehicle and it had seen me through many safe and beautiful journeys. I had cleaned it out a year ago anticipating a trade in that never happened – so it was ready. One weekend I spent detailing the outside, cleaned the carpets, seats, cracks, and crevices. I realized how blessed I was to have had a reliable, nice looking vehicle for so long. I thanked the Lord.
Then one beautiful Saturday morning I had taken an early walk outside to mediate as I had been doing regularly, and upon my return I just felt filled with an incredible positive spirit.
I remember thinking about my circumstances again. I believed that one day they would change, I was sure of that now. I talked with God that morning, a routine I keep throughout the day, and somehow got on the subject of my finances. However, this time, not with urgency and definitely not with an attitude that came off as an attack, I shared, “God I know you want to help me. You certainly don’t wish for me to be in debt, encumbered or worried about my circumstances. And amazingly for quite some time now, I have never felt more at peace with what could seem like dire circumstances. It’s funny how “not having” can humble you. When the time is right I know You will provide.” Human, as I am, my mind retreated for a brief moment still wanting better and I thought to myself, “Cec, God wants to do his part that is for certain. Are you doing yours?” On a previous occasion I had a conversation with the financial institution about my vehicle. And just, at that pivotal moment, I heard the voice of the banker that asked, “How hard have you tried to sell it yourself”. It was like a light bulb came on in my dark head. And I recall a feeling of peace and then exhilarating excitement came over me.
“That’s it! Today I am going to sell the suburban,” I said to my daughter, Stephanie, with complete faith. “I’m driving this SUV down to the local car wash and get it all prettied up and taking it to a place for others to see. Someone is taking this truck today,” my voice finished with finality.
Oddly I wasn’t concerned about selling it and not having a car. I surely didn’t have another just sitting at home waiting for me to drive. That was the least of my worries at that moment. However, it would have been a great concern even the day before with my old attitude still stuck to me – albeit by a thread.
I jumped up into the driver’s seat and tooted down the street to the local car wash. I happily declared to God out loud, “Yes Lord, its time isn’t it. You’ve provided a beautiful morning for this to happen.”
By 9:00 a.m. with delight in my core, I parked the SUV in a parking lot that faced a main boulevard in the heart of my city. There prominently I placed two for sale signs that were visible through the clean sparkling windows, the same signs that I had displayed in my vehicle only on my driveway, when I remembered. I walked around from side to side, admiring its pretty lines and tires that were dressed with shiny stuff. My daughter obediently came to pick me up as requested and off we returned to home.
“So, Steph, what do you think? How long will it take for someone to call me? Because you know I’m selling this truck today!” She looked at me like I was crazy, as usual. Seeing her face and those eyes that rolled back a bit (yes honey, I can see you), was confirmation for me once again that she saw God working on me as was evident through my bold thinking! I know, when you work with Him it seems to go against the natural order of the human thought process. She finally conceded to play my outrageous game and said, “Well it’s nine o’clock,” she hemmed. I waited with childlike enthusiasm for her to join me in my holy encounter. “I don’t know Mom,” she bowed out, “What do you think?” I didn’t need anyone really to participate with me or, for that fact, believe what I did, because I was immersed in my own little divine world, “I think by 3 o’clock. By 3 o’clock someone will call,” I exclaimed finally.
We puttered around the house a bit picking up when I passed my phone and heard a beep. Odd I thought, I didn’t hear the phone ring. I listened to a voice mail that said, “I’m here looking at your suburban, and want to know if you can meet me so I can take it for a drive. I’ve got a growing family and we could sure use a vehicle like yours.” The fellow left his name and number and of course, I immediately called back after I reverently praised God. I jumped up and down, screaming thank you Lord! This is you! It’s all You! In your due time! Only you can move mountains! You lined up both sides and made it happen for us just when we needed it. THANK YOU LORD. His call was received at 10:00 a.m. We met at 1:00 p.m. and it was sold! (Was Stephanie moved by the event? I saw a hint of awe, however, the jury is still out on that.)
The new owners picked up the suburban a few days later and they looked so happy and complete in it. I was thrilled for them. I wished them well and never looked back with envy or regret.
I am still car-less as I write. I feel happy and actually liberated. Not only was the car sold, but the $10,000 balance that was left over after the sale that loomed over my life is now paid off through yet another miracle by God. God was sure busy, because he was apparently working on some of those guys at the finance company too who helped me in ways that could only have been with God’s hand. God is good!
Now for the lesson (Come on, you know there’s one!) What I learned was that we can’t hurry God. We can’t make Him do things we want, when we want them. And by the way, there seems to be a difference between wants and needs. There is a time, a season for everything. He has a divine plan for each one of us.
Let’s be productive, positive and filled with high spirits while we’re waiting for our time. When God sees we are ready – HE WILL BLESS US!
(fyi – I’m saving to buy my next car cash! Hallelujah, I am freed from all that weighs me down!)
Inspired by:
Psalm 31:15-16
But my trust is in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
In your hands is my destiny.
It had been a year of severe struggle, much more than others past. I was getting further and further into debt with no end in sight. Too boot, the vehicle I was driving was sucking blood from my already severely dried up turnip, my pocketbook. I had tried on many occasions to get rid of the beast. I shouldn’t say that, I never felt like that about it, but you know I am human, and I can stretch the truth or exaggerate for entertainment sake.
The reality is that for the past few years I wanted to get a new car (it was a mix of wanting a new car and hiked up gas prices, which weighed on me more I don’t know). The problem was that my financial status with the vehicle was a reflection of my income and expenses for my life, “a mess”.
At least twice a year I headed out in frustration to a dealership looking to car swap. And each time I walked out more irritated than the time before. I know that what I was looking for was a miracle. I wanted someone to give me something for nothing. But what I got instead was, “sure lady, you could have this new car, you’ll just need to cough up about $10,000. Can’t somebody please bail me out of the mess that I’m in?
You see in my world, I conveniently forgot how I got in this tight spot in the first place. I have never been a good money manager. Ask my husband – he’ll tell you. I had no concept of saving. I would just spend. Pull out the credit cards like they were sweet candy kisses – so tempting little morsels - there for the taking and hmmmm, they tasted good. The result, another charge and another month of paying interest that only grew! So much I thought for my miracle, those sales guys, I thought, just want their huge commission!
I remember there were days and nights that I would lose sleep over my state of affairs. I prayed, begged and pleaded with God to please help me. Sometimes I didn’t know where I’d get the money to fill up the gi-normous gas tank! The way gas prices were going up, up, up, I was spending at least $80 ever four days depending on the day’s rate, you do the math! Yes, did you guess, I’m a commuter.
I often wondered why God wouldn’t help me. Why would he want me to stay with this truck that was taking my money in lapping gulps, when all I wanted now was out of this car and this financial mess! Forget about just wanting a new car, this was serious business now. As I look back I realize that the hole I was in was bad enough, but the ditch I would have dug would have been much deeper and disastrous if the sales guy would have let me have my way.
I finally resigned myself to the fact that I would have to grin and bear it. It was mine to pay for and I would SOMEDAY. I stopped thinking about my dilemma and I focused my energies on other positive things. I searched my own soul, conscience and heart for the few things I already knew I possessed for strength and then of course, to God and my bible for ALL THE REST. For the record, the scale leaned on the latter – there is really no comparison – we need to seek God and not ourselves or each other for strength and knowledge for His words are decidedly powerful, they cut to the heart of the matter, they massage your conscious and give it a headache until you ignore it or get it (I suggest you get it or nothing will ever change).
While I waited, I negotiated with my children for the use of their cars on different days and worked around their busy schedules. Before I knew it a year went by. I’m sure the children would have a different view on things).
My sports car, I mean boat, well it’s a suburban, was really a handsome vehicle and it had seen me through many safe and beautiful journeys. I had cleaned it out a year ago anticipating a trade in that never happened – so it was ready. One weekend I spent detailing the outside, cleaned the carpets, seats, cracks, and crevices. I realized how blessed I was to have had a reliable, nice looking vehicle for so long. I thanked the Lord.
Then one beautiful Saturday morning I had taken an early walk outside to mediate as I had been doing regularly, and upon my return I just felt filled with an incredible positive spirit.
I remember thinking about my circumstances again. I believed that one day they would change, I was sure of that now. I talked with God that morning, a routine I keep throughout the day, and somehow got on the subject of my finances. However, this time, not with urgency and definitely not with an attitude that came off as an attack, I shared, “God I know you want to help me. You certainly don’t wish for me to be in debt, encumbered or worried about my circumstances. And amazingly for quite some time now, I have never felt more at peace with what could seem like dire circumstances. It’s funny how “not having” can humble you. When the time is right I know You will provide.” Human, as I am, my mind retreated for a brief moment still wanting better and I thought to myself, “Cec, God wants to do his part that is for certain. Are you doing yours?” On a previous occasion I had a conversation with the financial institution about my vehicle. And just, at that pivotal moment, I heard the voice of the banker that asked, “How hard have you tried to sell it yourself”. It was like a light bulb came on in my dark head. And I recall a feeling of peace and then exhilarating excitement came over me.
“That’s it! Today I am going to sell the suburban,” I said to my daughter, Stephanie, with complete faith. “I’m driving this SUV down to the local car wash and get it all prettied up and taking it to a place for others to see. Someone is taking this truck today,” my voice finished with finality.
Oddly I wasn’t concerned about selling it and not having a car. I surely didn’t have another just sitting at home waiting for me to drive. That was the least of my worries at that moment. However, it would have been a great concern even the day before with my old attitude still stuck to me – albeit by a thread.
I jumped up into the driver’s seat and tooted down the street to the local car wash. I happily declared to God out loud, “Yes Lord, its time isn’t it. You’ve provided a beautiful morning for this to happen.”
By 9:00 a.m. with delight in my core, I parked the SUV in a parking lot that faced a main boulevard in the heart of my city. There prominently I placed two for sale signs that were visible through the clean sparkling windows, the same signs that I had displayed in my vehicle only on my driveway, when I remembered. I walked around from side to side, admiring its pretty lines and tires that were dressed with shiny stuff. My daughter obediently came to pick me up as requested and off we returned to home.
“So, Steph, what do you think? How long will it take for someone to call me? Because you know I’m selling this truck today!” She looked at me like I was crazy, as usual. Seeing her face and those eyes that rolled back a bit (yes honey, I can see you), was confirmation for me once again that she saw God working on me as was evident through my bold thinking! I know, when you work with Him it seems to go against the natural order of the human thought process. She finally conceded to play my outrageous game and said, “Well it’s nine o’clock,” she hemmed. I waited with childlike enthusiasm for her to join me in my holy encounter. “I don’t know Mom,” she bowed out, “What do you think?” I didn’t need anyone really to participate with me or, for that fact, believe what I did, because I was immersed in my own little divine world, “I think by 3 o’clock. By 3 o’clock someone will call,” I exclaimed finally.
We puttered around the house a bit picking up when I passed my phone and heard a beep. Odd I thought, I didn’t hear the phone ring. I listened to a voice mail that said, “I’m here looking at your suburban, and want to know if you can meet me so I can take it for a drive. I’ve got a growing family and we could sure use a vehicle like yours.” The fellow left his name and number and of course, I immediately called back after I reverently praised God. I jumped up and down, screaming thank you Lord! This is you! It’s all You! In your due time! Only you can move mountains! You lined up both sides and made it happen for us just when we needed it. THANK YOU LORD. His call was received at 10:00 a.m. We met at 1:00 p.m. and it was sold! (Was Stephanie moved by the event? I saw a hint of awe, however, the jury is still out on that.)
The new owners picked up the suburban a few days later and they looked so happy and complete in it. I was thrilled for them. I wished them well and never looked back with envy or regret.
I am still car-less as I write. I feel happy and actually liberated. Not only was the car sold, but the $10,000 balance that was left over after the sale that loomed over my life is now paid off through yet another miracle by God. God was sure busy, because he was apparently working on some of those guys at the finance company too who helped me in ways that could only have been with God’s hand. God is good!
Now for the lesson (Come on, you know there’s one!) What I learned was that we can’t hurry God. We can’t make Him do things we want, when we want them. And by the way, there seems to be a difference between wants and needs. There is a time, a season for everything. He has a divine plan for each one of us.
Let’s be productive, positive and filled with high spirits while we’re waiting for our time. When God sees we are ready – HE WILL BLESS US!
(fyi – I’m saving to buy my next car cash! Hallelujah, I am freed from all that weighs me down!)
Inspired by:
Psalm 31:15-16
But my trust is in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
In your hands is my destiny.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Rejoice And Be Glad!
Rejoice and Be Glad!
Have you ever stood up for a person, an action, a comment, or a feeling that was right and just, however, the rest of your family, friends, co-workers or corporate entity believed and argued otherwise? Have you ever tasted that victory that comes when your point was proved right by no doings of your own? The sweet taste of triumph in your mouth and that elated feeling that takes over your whole body is worth more than any “I told you so”, because the TRUTH was larger than mere words could underscore.
It is such an incredible feeling to be on the side of “right”, rather than on the moral-less side of majority. The real cause for celebration is when victory even causes cheers among those who were skeptical. Even better when those who fought the cause in the first place have changed their tune and are now on board with the just and honorable united front.
One should not look to bask in righteousness to prove wrongful acts of others to gain a superior position; but rather, standing up for righteousness because it is truly “the right thing to do”.
Much gratification can come from the compassion and support you afford another person or a group of people who are being cheated by people or a system. Your outreach and love can touch a lonely person or people shunned by society. Your mere presence may even offer light and hope where there is darkness or despair among many.
Granted everything we lend our name to or put our reputation on the line for is not necessarily done on such a grand scale. It is important to note that even the smallest of accomplishments can make an enormous difference and impact in the life of one or perhaps scores of people.
One does not have to move out of the norm of their life to encounter ordinary experiences that can be turned into extraordinary ones for the sake of another person. Too boot, when you use your God given talents, your gifts, the missions you seek can seem easy and effortless.
A little time, energy, and effort can go a long way. A hug or words of comfort are wonderful responses when you see someone crying, even a stranger. A helping hand can be a blessing when someone looks to be overwhelmed or too proud to ask for assistance.
It takes kindness, empathy and consideration along with practice to become a person who recognizes the needs of other. Taking positive bold steps to do something that would ease the struggle of another human being would make your virtuous thoughts and upright desires a reality. The list of simple things can go on and on and many are easily within our comfort zone.
However, today you have an opportunity to rise above from what is safe. Rather, it is a challenge to make active your bolder self. And in so doing, give the best of you and you will receive excellence back.
The first thought to overcome is to not concern yourself for what people may say about what you do. A simple thing like, taking a few minutes to sit and have a conversation with the man who sits in front of the market, in his shabby dirty clothes, alongside a market basket that holds his belongings could make a world of difference to him. All homeless people are not crazy. Give money, food, and clothing to the beggar even though he does not look poor. To not judge the person on his looks would be your biggest personal obstacle to rise above. Although someone may look well put together on the outside, it does not mean we know their life story and circumstances that caused them to stand on the street corner begging for a dollar. Speaking up to others about not gossiping is another example of boldness for the sake of right and just. It may not make you the most popular individual in the group, however, Jesus made a good point of the fact that if we judge and condemn we will ourselves be judged and condemned.
You may have heard the expressions, “what goes around comes around” and “you can dish it out but you sure can’t take it.” Why be on the bad receiving side of anything? God intended for your life to be good. Show him you understand goodness, and give without expecting anything in return. That’s what he does for you! Do you want to do something really moral and just, read on it even gets better!
Do something nice for someone who dislikes you! That’s it, simple. Help them out with something at work. Bring them lunch just because. Do anything that will show that you look past their ill feelings toward you and that you genuinely want a relationship that is free of hate, malice or rudeness. Give what you would expect back. Leave them room to come around. Love your enemies.
Oh, here’s a really good one. Bless those who curse you! Let’s your actions say to other’s its okay if he or she despises me, I don’t feel the same way. I care about this person and I hope that things will change. I want the best for him or her. Yes really! Bless them, genuinely.
Pray for those who abuse you. God is kind to the those who show no gratitude and do dreadful things. Forgive them as God would. Your recompense will be great.
The bolder your move toward decency, honesty, morality, and justice the more your blessings. You will be rewarded now and in the everlasting life to come. With God on your side who can be against you!
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day when you are caught doing something good and are ridiculed for it! Successful people, many times are lonely people. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Be an example to others so that they may aspire, even if it is privately, to be like you.
Inspired by:
Luke 6:22-23
Blessed are you when people hate you,
And when they exclude and insult you,
And denounce your name as evil
On account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
Have you ever stood up for a person, an action, a comment, or a feeling that was right and just, however, the rest of your family, friends, co-workers or corporate entity believed and argued otherwise? Have you ever tasted that victory that comes when your point was proved right by no doings of your own? The sweet taste of triumph in your mouth and that elated feeling that takes over your whole body is worth more than any “I told you so”, because the TRUTH was larger than mere words could underscore.
It is such an incredible feeling to be on the side of “right”, rather than on the moral-less side of majority. The real cause for celebration is when victory even causes cheers among those who were skeptical. Even better when those who fought the cause in the first place have changed their tune and are now on board with the just and honorable united front.
One should not look to bask in righteousness to prove wrongful acts of others to gain a superior position; but rather, standing up for righteousness because it is truly “the right thing to do”.
Much gratification can come from the compassion and support you afford another person or a group of people who are being cheated by people or a system. Your outreach and love can touch a lonely person or people shunned by society. Your mere presence may even offer light and hope where there is darkness or despair among many.
Granted everything we lend our name to or put our reputation on the line for is not necessarily done on such a grand scale. It is important to note that even the smallest of accomplishments can make an enormous difference and impact in the life of one or perhaps scores of people.
One does not have to move out of the norm of their life to encounter ordinary experiences that can be turned into extraordinary ones for the sake of another person. Too boot, when you use your God given talents, your gifts, the missions you seek can seem easy and effortless.
A little time, energy, and effort can go a long way. A hug or words of comfort are wonderful responses when you see someone crying, even a stranger. A helping hand can be a blessing when someone looks to be overwhelmed or too proud to ask for assistance.
It takes kindness, empathy and consideration along with practice to become a person who recognizes the needs of other. Taking positive bold steps to do something that would ease the struggle of another human being would make your virtuous thoughts and upright desires a reality. The list of simple things can go on and on and many are easily within our comfort zone.
However, today you have an opportunity to rise above from what is safe. Rather, it is a challenge to make active your bolder self. And in so doing, give the best of you and you will receive excellence back.
The first thought to overcome is to not concern yourself for what people may say about what you do. A simple thing like, taking a few minutes to sit and have a conversation with the man who sits in front of the market, in his shabby dirty clothes, alongside a market basket that holds his belongings could make a world of difference to him. All homeless people are not crazy. Give money, food, and clothing to the beggar even though he does not look poor. To not judge the person on his looks would be your biggest personal obstacle to rise above. Although someone may look well put together on the outside, it does not mean we know their life story and circumstances that caused them to stand on the street corner begging for a dollar. Speaking up to others about not gossiping is another example of boldness for the sake of right and just. It may not make you the most popular individual in the group, however, Jesus made a good point of the fact that if we judge and condemn we will ourselves be judged and condemned.
You may have heard the expressions, “what goes around comes around” and “you can dish it out but you sure can’t take it.” Why be on the bad receiving side of anything? God intended for your life to be good. Show him you understand goodness, and give without expecting anything in return. That’s what he does for you! Do you want to do something really moral and just, read on it even gets better!
Do something nice for someone who dislikes you! That’s it, simple. Help them out with something at work. Bring them lunch just because. Do anything that will show that you look past their ill feelings toward you and that you genuinely want a relationship that is free of hate, malice or rudeness. Give what you would expect back. Leave them room to come around. Love your enemies.
Oh, here’s a really good one. Bless those who curse you! Let’s your actions say to other’s its okay if he or she despises me, I don’t feel the same way. I care about this person and I hope that things will change. I want the best for him or her. Yes really! Bless them, genuinely.
Pray for those who abuse you. God is kind to the those who show no gratitude and do dreadful things. Forgive them as God would. Your recompense will be great.
The bolder your move toward decency, honesty, morality, and justice the more your blessings. You will be rewarded now and in the everlasting life to come. With God on your side who can be against you!
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day when you are caught doing something good and are ridiculed for it! Successful people, many times are lonely people. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Be an example to others so that they may aspire, even if it is privately, to be like you.
Inspired by:
Luke 6:22-23
Blessed are you when people hate you,
And when they exclude and insult you,
And denounce your name as evil
On account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Nothing Is Impossible For God!
Nothing Is Impossible For God!
Today, the church celebrates the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Luke 1:26-28 In the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary, “and coming to her, he said, “Hail favored one! The Lord is with you.”
This powerful greeting would be one that a person might find troubling, as Mary did for at first she did not understand its meaning. The entire message that Mary received was that she should not be afraid, that she would conceive a child although she had no relationship with a man. It’s amazing to think that the Holy Spirit would come upon one who may have seemed to be an everyday woman, and that the power of the Most High would overshadow her, causing her to bear a son.
Can you imagine being the recipient of such news from an angel of God. You will bear the child that will save people from their sins. It’s quite an astonishing call on one’s life. Of course, God knew what she was capable of. Mary accepted God’s call on her life.
What does God call you to do? Yes, you! He has a plan for you. Can you hear Him amongst the noise of the world? The world, your world is loud. God is not.
God does not compete with the television, computers, cars, gossip, laziness, sports, work, and the like. In order to hear God we must retreat to that quiet place within ourselves. We must move away from all that distracts us from the solitude that connects us to God. Our hearing and our ability to connect to Him has been naively impaired by the busy lives that we’ve created.
Have you ever lost your voice and were forced to whisper to communicate? Did you happen to notice that when you whispered the level of the voices of others subsided too? The noise all around was subtly quieter, pleasant, and out of the norm odd. Because you could not speak out loud as usual, a person was forced to look closer at your eyes to decipher your emotional state. It also required a careful look at your lips to confirm their understanding of your message. Hence, there was a more intimate moment between you. God wants those close encounters with you everyday, several times a day.
We do not have to scream to be heard or understood. Neither does God. In fact, the quieter we are and the more we seek Him, the greater our understanding of how immense His love is for us. The more we unite with our Creator, the clearer His calling is on our lives.
Go beyond your morning and evening prayers to talk with God. Give thanks to Him before each meal. Keep holy water at your front door and ask God to bless your coming and going with the sign of the cross. Talk about God to your family and share with friends and co-workers the incredible things God does for you daily. We are here to be ambassadors for Christ. People love to talk. Let’s use our energy in a positive light always. Speak about the good in others and share stories of hope. Brighten someone’s day with your aura of holy inspiration that will be
sure to touch all those you encounter in amazing ways.
The more you make God a part of your life, the more you will recognize His blessings and ultimately become aware of the calling on your life.
God is good! Happy Birthday Mary! Thank you for recognizing and accepting your call and for showing us that nothing is impossible for God!
Luke 1:38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Inspired by:
Matthew 1:18-23
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to pubic disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”
Today, the church celebrates the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Luke 1:26-28 In the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary, “and coming to her, he said, “Hail favored one! The Lord is with you.”
This powerful greeting would be one that a person might find troubling, as Mary did for at first she did not understand its meaning. The entire message that Mary received was that she should not be afraid, that she would conceive a child although she had no relationship with a man. It’s amazing to think that the Holy Spirit would come upon one who may have seemed to be an everyday woman, and that the power of the Most High would overshadow her, causing her to bear a son.
Can you imagine being the recipient of such news from an angel of God. You will bear the child that will save people from their sins. It’s quite an astonishing call on one’s life. Of course, God knew what she was capable of. Mary accepted God’s call on her life.
What does God call you to do? Yes, you! He has a plan for you. Can you hear Him amongst the noise of the world? The world, your world is loud. God is not.
God does not compete with the television, computers, cars, gossip, laziness, sports, work, and the like. In order to hear God we must retreat to that quiet place within ourselves. We must move away from all that distracts us from the solitude that connects us to God. Our hearing and our ability to connect to Him has been naively impaired by the busy lives that we’ve created.
Have you ever lost your voice and were forced to whisper to communicate? Did you happen to notice that when you whispered the level of the voices of others subsided too? The noise all around was subtly quieter, pleasant, and out of the norm odd. Because you could not speak out loud as usual, a person was forced to look closer at your eyes to decipher your emotional state. It also required a careful look at your lips to confirm their understanding of your message. Hence, there was a more intimate moment between you. God wants those close encounters with you everyday, several times a day.
We do not have to scream to be heard or understood. Neither does God. In fact, the quieter we are and the more we seek Him, the greater our understanding of how immense His love is for us. The more we unite with our Creator, the clearer His calling is on our lives.
Go beyond your morning and evening prayers to talk with God. Give thanks to Him before each meal. Keep holy water at your front door and ask God to bless your coming and going with the sign of the cross. Talk about God to your family and share with friends and co-workers the incredible things God does for you daily. We are here to be ambassadors for Christ. People love to talk. Let’s use our energy in a positive light always. Speak about the good in others and share stories of hope. Brighten someone’s day with your aura of holy inspiration that will be
sure to touch all those you encounter in amazing ways.
The more you make God a part of your life, the more you will recognize His blessings and ultimately become aware of the calling on your life.
God is good! Happy Birthday Mary! Thank you for recognizing and accepting your call and for showing us that nothing is impossible for God!
Luke 1:38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Inspired by:
Matthew 1:18-23
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to pubic disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”
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