Do you ever feel like quitting? Do people belittle you or misunderstand you? Have you done things in the past you're proud of, but somehow it feels like it's way in the past and that today is a new...and less exciting day? Or are you still waiting for something great to happen in your life?
There are days when I get discouraged, especially as I sit and wait for the editor to send my book back so I can fix things or add more things and it's taking forever, and I'm waiting for the music to be done on my album, artwork and video to be shown to me, pictures to be redone on my Christmas Love book, reports to be done and received, so much waiting and waiting. I haven't even booked any book signings lately because I feel so much like I'm in limbo. Waiting. Waiting some more. I have been very busy with a lot of activities, and now they are done, and things are more quiet and waiting seems longer. Do you ever have those kinds of days, like you feel stagnant and painfully still? It's a feeling of powerlessness.
Well, take some time to look around at the people in your life who are so important. Love on 'em. Hug your kids. Make some special memories. I have learned that what goes around comes around; good I've done in the past in little ways comes back abundantly as blessings now. I am seeing so many blessings, especially lately in my life, that just lift up and encourage my heart. Through social media I have reconnected with a lot of people from my past who really encourage me. My Pastor and his wife are so supportive and encouraging to me. My children are such an encouragement to my heart...through and through. When discouraged, look around at the people in your life that you cherish, and your heart will get warm and thankful.
When feeling discouraged and stagnant, find those goals and dreams that will make you feel alive. Start planning in that direction so at least you feel like you are doing something with your life to make it count...really count! What is important to you? Have you even sat down quietly enough to think about it?
I remember being married and wanting to have a baby so desperately! We had to wait, and waiting was really hard for me. I waited and waited, and waited some more, and seeing friends with babies was super hard to endure at times...especially after having a miscarriage, and then having to wait longer because even with trying, I was not getting pregnant. Seven months of negative pregnancy tests felt like seven years! What I did during my waiting stage was took the advice of my friend, and started making things for the baby, planning decorations and things. Doing something made me feel like my waiting was not in vain, it was part of a process that was IN MOTION!
Psalm 27:14: "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
God truly did strengthen me in my waiting, and the day finally came when my daughter Amanda was born and I could hold her in my arms. Twenty months later I was blessed again with my daughter Rebecca. I went to school for what seemed like eternity to become a nurse, then a nurse practitioner, and went through a couple jobs before I landed in one that I really love and fit so well in. The day finally came when I published my first book. Soon my first album and third book will be published. These things were all hard things that took many steps, but they were so worth it! What life it brings to your soul when you are doing something toward your goals, that life is not just the day in and day out routine. I believe this is especially important when you hit your mid life. Even being at work and knowing I was going to school and that this was not all there was felt very encouraging to me. Now that I'm in the job of my dreams, I feel content and complete. But all my eggs are not in one basket, so to speak. Serving in ministry, teaching piano lessons, writing books and music - these things bring life to me and keep me fresh. It also doesn't allow for much gossip or being a busybody. I think hobbies and interests are very healthy.
If you are struggling with feeling stagnant, may I encourage you to do something, some kind of step in the planning process toward your goal, even if it means saving up some money, taking some courses (even one at a time like I did when I got started), getting some support and experience, networking, making something that will benefit the situation later, making a list of short and long term goals, and then take those baby steps, or maybe some big steps if appropriate, to do something that will leave a legacy, or make a difference in the world. But most important, pray about it, and ask God to lead you in the direction He wants you to go. If He wants you to continue waiting, then get your ideas on paper and pray about them, and wait. Waiting can be an active duty when praying and planning! Just remember that plans can change, but I like writing things down so I have at least a starting point. When God tells you it's time to go, then move forward with courage! Remember: God is not done with you if you're still a warm, breathing body capable of doing things. Some great things in life don't require a lot of money, so look around and see what is in your power to do, and where God can pick up the slack where you're not able to.
God bless you in whatever exciting thing the Lord has in store for you ahead, even if it means being content with what you have and being the best you that you can be! God needs prayer warriors - can you pray for those around you who can do things you can't? Make a list, and pray daily. Can you be a cheerleader and voice of encouragement to others? Those are active duty things that can make a huge difference! Be really good at what you do and who you are in Christ to be a blessing. Keep your eyes open and thank God for all the blessings God sends your way on a daily basis in hundreds of little ways! And then YOU BE THE BLESSING!
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Friday, June 13, 2014
The Cry of Wisdom
"Wisdom
crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: she
crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the
city she uttereth her words, saying, How
long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their
scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn
you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make
known my words unto you. Because
I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man
regarded; but
ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I
also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when
your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind;
when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then
shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but
they shall not find me: for
that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: they
would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore
shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own
devices. For
the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools
shall destroy them. But
whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of
evil."
The last part of that portion of Scripture says that if we hearken unto wisdom, we'll dwell safely, and be quiet from fear of evil. Doesn't that sound wonderful? When it comes to wisdom, we need to seek it early. Don't wait and try things on your own and learn through the school of hard knocks. Talk to some wise people who can give you some insight, do your research and find out the best way to go about things so that you do things properly the first time. Gain knowledge any way you can, LOVE it, don't hate it.
Reverence the Lord and the wisdom He teaches us through Scripture. It will go a long way to helping you live right, and go down a SAFE path of quietness when it comes to your fears. You will reap what you sow; in other words, the things in your life you set in motion will come back with either a good reward or bad consequences, so "plant" carefully. The last thing I'm sure any of us want is for people to laugh at us and say, "I told you so!" It might seem fun and cool to do the wrong thing with your friends, but in the end it's a lonely path, and you might inadvertently cause others to go down lonely paths of destruction also.
I was writing a song about this, and thought it's a great reminder that I'd like to share, these great yet common sense truths that can help us all stay on the right path. Have a safe and quiet day...and life!
Saturday, June 7, 2014
A Gift You Give Your Neighbors
I was outside today weeding one my little gardens, and someone drove by in a tractor. He turned down the road near my house, and must have been on his way to his nearby farm. He waved, and I waved back. Instantly I felt a sense of community. I felt as if my weeding in a small part contributed to the "well being" of the neighborhood. I then thought about how much I enjoy taking a walk and noticing the yards with flowers and statues and decorations. I thought about the various holidays, especially Christmas, as people put up lights and other decorations to celebrate the holiday as a community together. My family enjoys taking a ride in December to various towns and down many streets looking for spectacular light displays! We enjoy the small ones, too.
My husband and I did a little landscaping today, but I am still not caught up with all my weeding. However, I do have to say that I feel the reward for my hard work extends beyond myself and my family. I do believe that the neighbors appreciate, even if subconsciously, the upkeep of my property. A property not kept up can actually decrease the value of the homes in the neighborhood, especially when right next door. I remember someone in my old neighborhood who had trouble selling their home because the house next door was so unkept.
So the next time you grumble about your weeding, as I often do, or mowing, or planting/pruning, whatever it may be, remember that it is a gift you give to all those around you, whether living close by or driving by. It makes us all feel good when you take pride in your home. So thank you!
My husband and I did a little landscaping today, but I am still not caught up with all my weeding. However, I do have to say that I feel the reward for my hard work extends beyond myself and my family. I do believe that the neighbors appreciate, even if subconsciously, the upkeep of my property. A property not kept up can actually decrease the value of the homes in the neighborhood, especially when right next door. I remember someone in my old neighborhood who had trouble selling their home because the house next door was so unkept.
So the next time you grumble about your weeding, as I often do, or mowing, or planting/pruning, whatever it may be, remember that it is a gift you give to all those around you, whether living close by or driving by. It makes us all feel good when you take pride in your home. So thank you!
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Hating What God Hates
We get called "haters" so much as
Christians, but surely if we are to be like Christ, we will hate what He
hates. It's interesting that what God hates are things that negatively
impact others' lives. God cares about PEOPLE, their reputation, their
livelihood, and their safety.
Hating What God Hates
By Dawn Foss
From Proverbs 6:16-19
Consider life, God’s sweetest prize,
Not just our breath, but our daily lives.
What comes from us affects our world,
So guard your heart and habits learned.
It’s good to hate what our Savior hates,
Despise those things that hurt others’ lives.
Precious are souls and life sublime,
So hate pride and schemes, mischief and lies.
Why do you think pride is listed first
Of the seven things God hates the worst?
‘Cause at the root of so many sins
Lies selfish pride that burns within.
Our lies come out in many forms,
None harmless to others' lives or yours.
False witnesses that curb the proof
Can’t fool our God, who knows the truth.
Those mischievous and who sow discord
Reap greater woes than one can afford.
As seeds produce more than their size,
The future harvest affects many lives.
Imagination can be good or bad,
What starts in the mind will come out through the hand.
And hands that shed innocent blood,
Violence and harm God will surely judge.
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