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I heard someone say, this week, “Little things done over and over, equals big changes!” Wow, that is a powerful statement, especially when it is lived out! Now this statement was made by a physical fitness trainer. He was giving words of instruction and encouragement regarding wellness and fitness. In that, if you and I do little things over and over, like walking or exercising, it will equal big changes down the road. There will be results from our consistent efforts! While I
“Wait,” she called out suddenly, not sure why that thought upset her so much. “I’m sorry, I just … “ she curled her nails into her palms, closing her eyes as she counted to ten, working on leveling out her temper. Cursing anyways, she hurried after him until she was nearly shoulder to shoulder with him, “You’re right. Forgive me, it’s just… I didn’t expect any of this. I trained for years, I’ve filled my head with so much, and none of this has a place now,” she said in aggravation.
“Gentlemen (and ladies) start your engines!” were the words I heard—for the first time in many years—when I attended the Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Race at Daytona this weekend with my brother. Growing up in Illinois, it was a childhood memory for me to go to the stock car races, with my family, in the small town nearby on the weekends. I loved hearing the famous words, “Gentlemen, start your engines” and then hearing the roar! The words still make my heart beat fast today. I had a great time at the race, despite all the rain, and I learned some important life lessons, as well.
I found myself praying and journaling the following words this week, Heavenly Father, I lay down my want to: to be right, to be understood, to be accepted and loved. I continued, For the truth is… I am fully understood, accepted and loved by You, the King of the Universe! My heart instantly felt light! (Now please know that I am dearly loved by many. I know and believe that today, but, for some reason—a reason I cannot even remember right now, I was not feeling loved that morning. And thus I was pouring out my emotions in my journaling, with my time with God.)
You may have noticed that my past few blogs have all been titled or begun with the words, “Be Free…” There is a reason for that, in that, my word for this year is “be free!” For you see, the past couple years, God has given me a word for the year. Just one word, one word that I would focus my attention on all year long. One word that He would work in my life; one area He would grow me in etc.
I made a spur of the moment decision (with my husband’s blessing) last Tuesday and hopped in the car on Thursday and drove to North Carolina to surprise my youngest son for his 25th birthday! What a whirlwind and what a wonderful time I had and it all began by my hearing a blurb on the Christian radio station, saying, “Give yourself permission to take a break and do something you enjoy!” For you see, I had been toying with the idea of going to North Carolina to surprise my son but I kept talking myself out of it, saying I had too much to do. Once I heard those words on the radio, something sprang in my heart and I knew I was to give myself
Bea Clark has issues. The kinds of issues that make her feel as if she is being smothered by her own thoughts. Even when things are going well for Bea, she’s always waiting for something to trigger the darkness to take over. And when it comes, this deep, black heaviness, everything – including getting out of bed – becomes a struggle. Ending her life seems like the right thing for Bea to do and it’s where her thoughts carry her, so she tried it…once. She also tried running from Trinidad to live in Boston.
My dreamboard, this year, says: “Be Free…Believing the Best!” To me, those are powerful, encourageing words, but how does one live those words? I think just a few ways woud be to: •Look for the “silver lining” in whatever you may be going through. Or put another way… •Look for the “hidden blessings” in whatever hard or difficult situation you may be going through. They are there; we just need to look for them!
There is no greater feeling than to know that you took a chance and performed an act that changed the life of someone else. I’m not where I want to be right now but as I look over my life, I realize that I chose a path that caused me to step into unchartered waters. I didn’t do it because I am courageous. I did it because I believed that it was the right thing to do. That belief gave me the courage to do it.
“Can I give you a hug?” were the words I heard from a sweet, young girl at school, this week, right after our chapel service. Little did she know the difference her words and caring gesture would make! We hugged. I cried. We prayed. She listened and gave me words of truth and encouragement. And all this, because she turned and offered me a hug! I was unaware of it myself, i.e., how much I was in need of a hug that day. It was only while we were in prayer together, that I realized that I just had not slowed down enough or gotton still, to realize all the things that were going on inside of me. And as
Latest Book Release
God Doesn't Love Us All The Same, by Nina Guilbeau
Janine Harris never really thought about homeless people. She barely even notices them as she passes them by on her way to work in downtown Washington D.C. All Janine can focus on is the shambles of her own young life, afraid that she will never be able to get past the painful mistakes she has made. However, all of that changes on a snowy evening in December when Janine unexpectedly finds herself alone with Vera, an old, homeless woman who seems to need her help. Now Janie wants to know what could have possibly happened to Vera to leave her so broken and alone.
As Vera shares her life story with Janine, the two women form an unusual bond and begin a journey that changes both of their lives forever. Reluctantly, they each confront their own past and, in the process, discover the true meaning of sacrifice, family and love. Although to truly move forward in their lives, they must fast the most difficult challenge of all – forgiving themselves.
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