Lessons Learned

These last few months at work have been very trying - hence the lack of postings.  However, through all of the frustrating days and sleepless night, I've learned many lessons about myself.  I've learned that I didn't have the tolerance that I once thought I had (so I need to pray more); I learned that when pushed to the limits - my ability to perform went to a better level; most importantly I learned that when people discount you - God will raise you up.

The lessons I've learned over the past 4 months are ones that I try to remind myself of daily.  If I keep myself reminded of them, then I must hold myself accountable for maintaining a positive attitude.  I've learned that God did not set me up to fail.

"When your problems are bigger than you, Remember that God is bigger than them."

- Author: Elizabeth Manis

Luke 1:37…For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Thought For The Day....

"Your worst day with God is better than your best day without Him."
- Joyce Meyer

Do Unto Others...

Luke 6:31 (NIV)... "Do to others as you would have them do to you."

Just think of how much more pleasant our world would be to live in if we obeyed this scripture on a daily basis.  Why is this so hard for us to abide by?  Why is making a sacrifice and forsaking the desire to be selfish so difficult?

While this is something that we can carry out in small ways on a daily basis, I have the pleasure of knowing someone who took this verse to another level and how I know she'll be blessed for her obedience.  I'll change names as I give a brief synopsis of the situation.

Sally's mom was very ill and took a turn for the worse.  She had been admitted into the hospital on numerous occasions, but this one was different.  Sally's mom was rapidly deteriorating and it was time to call the family in.  Vicky is Sally's co-worker and associate and since Sally has no sisters, Vicky says "I'll be the sister you've never had to be with you through this difficult time."  As a result, Vicky sacrificed her time and stayed overnight in the hospital with Sally as a source of strength and to be there as needed.  In the wee hours of the morning, Vicky felt an unction to pray and they held hands around the hospital bed and began to pray and sing songs of worship.  After that, Sally's mom's fragile life slipped away.

Think about it....  What if Vicky had decided that she didn't have time for Sally or if she said, 'I'll pray for you and call me if you need anything.'  No, she took it further - she was there.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 

Make God Smile…

Here’s my worship, take joy in it.  Make it your dwelling place, I wanna put a smile on your face.  I present my heart to you. I present my life to you.

As we sang this song during Sunday service, my eyes welled up with tears and I began to think that my desire is to do God’s will and that makes Him smile.  I began to think on all the little things that I had allowed to annoy me and what my demeanor was as I went through those things.  As we continued to sing over and over, “Smile, I wanna make you smile,” I begin to think of how proud I wanted to make God in how I handled life’s situations.  I truly want to make God smile.

Today’s thoughts are short and simple.  Make God smile today in how you live your life.  Make God smile today in how you handle the tasks that have been assigned to your hands.  Make God smile in the way that you respond to others.  Make God smile in the way that you love Him!  When you’re uncertain, just think – will what I’m doing or how I’m responding make God smile?

Psalms 118:24…This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.