Today is a great day to remind each of us what we are truly thankful for. Sometimes it is so hard to really know all the blessings that we have in life until they are in jeopardy or are completely taken away. This is something that I am constantly humbled by.
I am so thankful for the family that I have. I never realized how vital those people are in my life and happiness until I began losing those closest to me. Today I am so grateful that I was able to spend the day with those that I love yet it is also a reminder that there are still those that I love that I can't see or talk to-ever. That is a harsh reality especially on days like today when you want to be with those people. However, it has caused me to really evaluate what and who I value and cherish in my life.
Life is worth so much more than how you look, where you go, or what you can buy. I find joy in days like today where you can just be. Be with those that you love. It is not as if you have to do, say, or go anywhere particular it is just enough to be with each other. Oh, how I love that.
Today was a wonderful day and tomorrow is a day that will contain little sleep, lots of food, shopping, and a great time with some girls celebrating a friend getting married! Life is grand and full of so many blessings.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Working for ???
" Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23
This is something that I have read so many times and have even quoted to other people yet something that, I too, often lose sight of in my daily life. I remember a couple months ago nannying and really hating my job. I kept thinking it really doesn't matter what attitude I have because its just a job not like a "real" job or "career". I was so wrong. My mother definitely saw my bad attitude and one day explained that I was missing IT. No matter what kind of job, what it may entail, how much I get paid, job or career...I was wrong. I should be working as if I was working for God. Oh, how I did indeed miss IT. I had failed in that aspect. Even as a Christian, I always strive to show the love, compassion, and the Lord's light in all that I say and do yet I failed to do that with my job as well.
It was only once that I truly grasped that concept that I really saw a change. I changed. My job began to change. I started to really excel in being a nanny and started to find something that I loved about my job each day. I began to enjoy my life for the season that the Lord had me in instead of wanting more, more, more or looking for the something else's in life. If I am always looking for more when will I truly be satisfied; when will it be enough?? I made a decision- I didn't want to be that girl. I was an ungrateful brat.
I discovered that what I wanted was to be happy and content with all the blessings that God had given me. He is more than enough for me. The Lord sustained me through a difficult time, allowed me a couple months off to get situated with my new internship and then once again was faithful.
I now have a job working at a tea shop, Teavana, with is perfect for me and my love for tea. It is something that I also am very good at. It is perfect for me, as a person, my schedule, and my co-workers are truly amazing as well. The career too will come but I am content for the current season that God has me in. I am learning so much.
This is something that I have read so many times and have even quoted to other people yet something that, I too, often lose sight of in my daily life. I remember a couple months ago nannying and really hating my job. I kept thinking it really doesn't matter what attitude I have because its just a job not like a "real" job or "career". I was so wrong. My mother definitely saw my bad attitude and one day explained that I was missing IT. No matter what kind of job, what it may entail, how much I get paid, job or career...I was wrong. I should be working as if I was working for God. Oh, how I did indeed miss IT. I had failed in that aspect. Even as a Christian, I always strive to show the love, compassion, and the Lord's light in all that I say and do yet I failed to do that with my job as well.
It was only once that I truly grasped that concept that I really saw a change. I changed. My job began to change. I started to really excel in being a nanny and started to find something that I loved about my job each day. I began to enjoy my life for the season that the Lord had me in instead of wanting more, more, more or looking for the something else's in life. If I am always looking for more when will I truly be satisfied; when will it be enough?? I made a decision- I didn't want to be that girl. I was an ungrateful brat.
I discovered that what I wanted was to be happy and content with all the blessings that God had given me. He is more than enough for me. The Lord sustained me through a difficult time, allowed me a couple months off to get situated with my new internship and then once again was faithful.
I now have a job working at a tea shop, Teavana, with is perfect for me and my love for tea. It is something that I also am very good at. It is perfect for me, as a person, my schedule, and my co-workers are truly amazing as well. The career too will come but I am content for the current season that God has me in. I am learning so much.
Monday, November 2, 2009
"Opting out"
I recently had someone say that they were "opting out". This completely blew my mind. I began to ponder this idea and began to see this idea everywhere. Each of us can be seen as guilty of this. Opting out of a friendship with a male or female. Dating relationship. Committed relationship. Engagement. Marriage. Children. Families. Time commitments. Hobbies. Jobs. Careers. School. Internships. Church. Anything and everything in life has somehow become a choice.
We stop loving.
Leave.
Act out of anger.
Hurt.
Abuse.
Switch.
Change.
Distort.
Yet Blame others.
Our love and compassion for others has merely disappeared within our society that is instant gratification based and simply pleasing ones self.
Caring for another...who cares?!
Where does it get ME?
How does it benefit ME?
What will you do for ME?
Our love which was once unconditional (Agape- Christ-centered love)and offered to everyone is now conditionally-based on how do I benefit and what I get....
An eye-opening reality...
Now I see, now I change. How to learn, move, grow...still unsure how or what it will look like yet I move forward. An honest effort to go against the grain and be different yet real. What a challenge I face.
We stop loving.
Leave.
Act out of anger.
Hurt.
Abuse.
Switch.
Change.
Distort.
Yet Blame others.
Our love and compassion for others has merely disappeared within our society that is instant gratification based and simply pleasing ones self.
Caring for another...who cares?!
Where does it get ME?
How does it benefit ME?
What will you do for ME?
Our love which was once unconditional (Agape- Christ-centered love)and offered to everyone is now conditionally-based on how do I benefit and what I get....
An eye-opening reality...
Now I see, now I change. How to learn, move, grow...still unsure how or what it will look like yet I move forward. An honest effort to go against the grain and be different yet real. What a challenge I face.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Self Image
This was a devotional that I received today that provided great food for thought for me:
Psalm 129: 2 "Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
Saundra was handicapped. Her hands were twisted beyond usefulness and she had lived with them since birth. They caused her not only physical pain, but emotional anguish as well. Throughout her childhood, cruel children had mocked her. The damage done to her self esteem was immense, and for a long period she believed that she could never do anything. In college she met a friend that led her to Christ. In Christ she found a new desire to succeed and beat her affliction. She received a Master's Degree in Therapy and Handicapped Services and became national spokeswoman for the handicap-awareness campaign. Though her detractors always had something to say, Saudra prevailed and rose above her handicap.
This is a true story. It gives me hope and courage that I too, can rise above anything that comes my way. The Lord is my source of peace, strength, and comfort. He is faithful!
Psalm 129: 2 "Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
Saundra was handicapped. Her hands were twisted beyond usefulness and she had lived with them since birth. They caused her not only physical pain, but emotional anguish as well. Throughout her childhood, cruel children had mocked her. The damage done to her self esteem was immense, and for a long period she believed that she could never do anything. In college she met a friend that led her to Christ. In Christ she found a new desire to succeed and beat her affliction. She received a Master's Degree in Therapy and Handicapped Services and became national spokeswoman for the handicap-awareness campaign. Though her detractors always had something to say, Saudra prevailed and rose above her handicap.
This is a true story. It gives me hope and courage that I too, can rise above anything that comes my way. The Lord is my source of peace, strength, and comfort. He is faithful!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Loving Others...
How is it that we know that we are not perfect yet expect perfection with others? I believe in loving others, no matter what type of relationship, unconditionally. I have come to find that not all people feel this way. There are times when I have been told that I am not complete or lovable because of the way I look, act, believe, or simply for having diabetes. While it may be the honest thoughts of others...it cuts so deep. This is something that I cannot even start to comprehend. How is it that we take it upon ourselves to be judge and jury of the "Who is Good Enough" contest in this world? All people ARE equal! No matter the color of the skin, eye or hair color, religion, culture, sexuality, gender, economic status, physical and/or mental limitations. We were ALL created in the image of God! We all are valued and loved just as we are!
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