Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Friday, July 30, 2010
When Trials Come Your Way
There is no disputing that something crazy is happening in the United States, if not the whole world.
We are not in control, never have been, but now we know for sure.
The war, the economy, the housing market...and the list goes on and on and on...
Almost one out of every 5 people I come in contact with (and I meet a lot of people) are going through a trial. Not a hassle ("I am uncomfortable right now"), but a bona fide ("I don't know if I can, or want to, live any more")trial.
Not too many people have known but I have been going through a trial for the last year, and it has not been without pain.
What I have learned is that we are supposed to suffer in this life; we are supposed to go through pain. Life is not a party and we are not supposed to be happy happy joy joy all of the time.
It is in the trials that we are refined or we fall apart. It is in the fire that we are stripped of things that have been hanging on for way too long - many time for decades. When we are put in the furnace the ropes that have been binding us will burn off, but it gets hot. Many times for a long time, depending on how long we have been wearing the ropes that bind us.
During these trials I have (after finding that kicking and screaming don't work)stepped back (or maybe I have fought so long to get my way that I am exhausted and can't move!) and let God refine me.
Our trials, our pain. Step back. Rest in God.
Rather than ask the question that never gets answered, "Why"? look up and ask "What? What needs to be stripped? What do you want to teach me that I have been too stubborn to learn? What?"
We will have trials, they will hurt, they many times will go on longer than we think we can bear.
But we are not alone, and there is a reason. And that great God is going through it with us. We are being refined...His perfect masterpiece!
We are not in control, never have been, but now we know for sure.
The war, the economy, the housing market...and the list goes on and on and on...
Almost one out of every 5 people I come in contact with (and I meet a lot of people) are going through a trial. Not a hassle ("I am uncomfortable right now"), but a bona fide ("I don't know if I can, or want to, live any more")trial.
Not too many people have known but I have been going through a trial for the last year, and it has not been without pain.
What I have learned is that we are supposed to suffer in this life; we are supposed to go through pain. Life is not a party and we are not supposed to be happy happy joy joy all of the time.
It is in the trials that we are refined or we fall apart. It is in the fire that we are stripped of things that have been hanging on for way too long - many time for decades. When we are put in the furnace the ropes that have been binding us will burn off, but it gets hot. Many times for a long time, depending on how long we have been wearing the ropes that bind us.
During these trials I have (after finding that kicking and screaming don't work)stepped back (or maybe I have fought so long to get my way that I am exhausted and can't move!) and let God refine me.
Our trials, our pain. Step back. Rest in God.
Rather than ask the question that never gets answered, "Why"? look up and ask "What? What needs to be stripped? What do you want to teach me that I have been too stubborn to learn? What?"
We will have trials, they will hurt, they many times will go on longer than we think we can bear.
But we are not alone, and there is a reason. And that great God is going through it with us. We are being refined...His perfect masterpiece!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Blessings in Disguise
So many challenges in life today, so many chances to give up; to bemoan the things that are happening in this world.
There are so many things that we could focus on that seem terrible as they are happening. Sometimes God's greatest gifts are events that we perceive as horrible as they are happening. Many times they are things that are happening to open doors that need to be opened. OR to close doors and remove obstacles so new people, opportunities can make their way in the crevices of your life.
My middle daughter Katie(who incidentally loves that position in the family of three girls) dated a guy for years and they worked at the relationship and hung on; long after there were signs that their reason was over.
After a period of grieving she started hanging around with a young man that she has known forever. And they have grown closer and closer and are enjoying a very healthy relationship.
Aww..a blessing in disguise came with so much pain...and ended as a gift!
What is happening in your life?
What seems like an insurmountable mountain?
Look at the past and all of the challenges that brought gifts out of the rubble.
Your challenges right now? They are temporary glitches - with gifts wrapped inside. Rest in that truth.
There are so many things that we could focus on that seem terrible as they are happening. Sometimes God's greatest gifts are events that we perceive as horrible as they are happening. Many times they are things that are happening to open doors that need to be opened. OR to close doors and remove obstacles so new people, opportunities can make their way in the crevices of your life.
My middle daughter Katie(who incidentally loves that position in the family of three girls) dated a guy for years and they worked at the relationship and hung on; long after there were signs that their reason was over.
After a period of grieving she started hanging around with a young man that she has known forever. And they have grown closer and closer and are enjoying a very healthy relationship.
Aww..a blessing in disguise came with so much pain...and ended as a gift!
What is happening in your life?
What seems like an insurmountable mountain?
Look at the past and all of the challenges that brought gifts out of the rubble.
Your challenges right now? They are temporary glitches - with gifts wrapped inside. Rest in that truth.
Monday, June 21, 2010
I'll stop just for a minute...
I spent the afternoon at Cash 'N Carry in Nashville. I have been checking out foodservice suppliers as a possible sales opportunity. After all, I did work for one years ago.
Having a great time perusing the aisles with the #10 cans of fruits and vegetables, the large bags of frozen foods, and paper goods, I purchased a large bag of chocolate chips and a bag of frozen bread dough.
On the way home I was feeling like I would like to see a friend or two so I stopped in at the local Panera, an office to so many people. I spotted my friend, Carlos, who I had not seen for so long. We hugged, grabbed a cup of coffee, and sank in the comfy chairs to catch up on life.
After an hour I hopped back in my steamy car to head home, only to look at the passenger seat and see my bag of chocolate chips that had turned into one big chocolate chip. Then I looked at the bread dough that had risen in the plastic bag, and saw that it was ready to bust out of the bag.
I sat in the car and started to laugh. I had only bought two items and they had either melted or risen. I guess when the temp is 97 degrees, nothing is going to stay in its original state.
I could not wait to call my sister, Joann, and share my mishap with her. This was just one of those things that ended up just being a good story.
Having a great time perusing the aisles with the #10 cans of fruits and vegetables, the large bags of frozen foods, and paper goods, I purchased a large bag of chocolate chips and a bag of frozen bread dough.
On the way home I was feeling like I would like to see a friend or two so I stopped in at the local Panera, an office to so many people. I spotted my friend, Carlos, who I had not seen for so long. We hugged, grabbed a cup of coffee, and sank in the comfy chairs to catch up on life.
After an hour I hopped back in my steamy car to head home, only to look at the passenger seat and see my bag of chocolate chips that had turned into one big chocolate chip. Then I looked at the bread dough that had risen in the plastic bag, and saw that it was ready to bust out of the bag.
I sat in the car and started to laugh. I had only bought two items and they had either melted or risen. I guess when the temp is 97 degrees, nothing is going to stay in its original state.
I could not wait to call my sister, Joann, and share my mishap with her. This was just one of those things that ended up just being a good story.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Buried Dreams
I met with a wonderful young couple from Belmont University last night. I had met this young man two years ago and loved he and his family. Now he has a charming girlfriend to add to the mix.
It was so refreshing to listen to young people who are not tainted by life; who want to live out their hearts desires.
As we talked they told about their journeys to stay true to self; how as adults we try to tell them what is right for them. It was apparent that they were fighting against the voices of well-meaning adults who may have missed out on their dreams and were putting their hopes and dreams on the young.
The honesty that came from the hearts at Starbucks last night: they don't have all of the answers, they don't NEED all of the answers yet; they want to be happy in their lives and if that is working and making less than their parents did - that is okay; they want to follow their life's path.
I saw the innocence in their faces, I saw hope, I saw honesty.
For a moment I felt a twinge of regret. For the dreams that I allowed to be buried for so many years, for the times that I sold out for things that made sense to others, for 'lost' years.
Then I looked up and was reminded of the good that came from every one of those decisions, the people that I met along the way, and the lessons that I learned.
I dropped to my knees and said a prayer of thanks!
It was so refreshing to listen to young people who are not tainted by life; who want to live out their hearts desires.
As we talked they told about their journeys to stay true to self; how as adults we try to tell them what is right for them. It was apparent that they were fighting against the voices of well-meaning adults who may have missed out on their dreams and were putting their hopes and dreams on the young.
The honesty that came from the hearts at Starbucks last night: they don't have all of the answers, they don't NEED all of the answers yet; they want to be happy in their lives and if that is working and making less than their parents did - that is okay; they want to follow their life's path.
I saw the innocence in their faces, I saw hope, I saw honesty.
For a moment I felt a twinge of regret. For the dreams that I allowed to be buried for so many years, for the times that I sold out for things that made sense to others, for 'lost' years.
Then I looked up and was reminded of the good that came from every one of those decisions, the people that I met along the way, and the lessons that I learned.
I dropped to my knees and said a prayer of thanks!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Yesterday's Painful Lessons - Today's Perfect Gift
I woke up Saturday and the sun was shining. Oh, this was going to be a good day! I laid in bed and thought about family and friends. Let me explain that lately I have been questioning my role in Nashville, being away from family and my friends. I am appreciating the special people in my life, the precious times and the too-few times with family.
And a dull ache moved in, turned into a massive hole, and caught me off-guard with the emptiness. I turned introspective, cried, laughed, and then cried some more.
Thank God for friends that love unconditionally. Thank God for the too-busy girlfriend who showed up at my door with three flowers (representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit she told me...so I didn't feel alone). What a blessing my non-biological mom was, as I talked with her on the phone and felt so close to her, even though she was 500 miles away; but really tucked inside my heart.
Saturday was a painfully long day.
Today I look back and unwrap the gifts from that day. Friends, family, lessons, change, new direction...wow! The day that I was thinking was a waste of a day, was a day wrapped in blessings! Gifts many times come wrapped in pain. Take every part of the gift and use it for God's glory. He knows what he is doing...and it is all done in love beyond our comprehension.
On Saturday I thought the day would never end. Today I looked at the blessings, and realize the day was exactly as long as it needed to be.
And a dull ache moved in, turned into a massive hole, and caught me off-guard with the emptiness. I turned introspective, cried, laughed, and then cried some more.
Thank God for friends that love unconditionally. Thank God for the too-busy girlfriend who showed up at my door with three flowers (representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit she told me...so I didn't feel alone). What a blessing my non-biological mom was, as I talked with her on the phone and felt so close to her, even though she was 500 miles away; but really tucked inside my heart.
Saturday was a painfully long day.
Today I look back and unwrap the gifts from that day. Friends, family, lessons, change, new direction...wow! The day that I was thinking was a waste of a day, was a day wrapped in blessings! Gifts many times come wrapped in pain. Take every part of the gift and use it for God's glory. He knows what he is doing...and it is all done in love beyond our comprehension.
On Saturday I thought the day would never end. Today I looked at the blessings, and realize the day was exactly as long as it needed to be.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Love in a Box
Each day has so many blessings - if we just look for them!
Today started out as any other ordinary day. I woke up, answered emails, made appointments, and met a colleague for brainstorming.
Wow! The session that we had went a whole different direction, and we just followed it. By the end of the meeting we both looked at each other in amazement, and then looked up to the facilitator.
The blessings started when we arrived at the library to secure a Study Room to meet in. The rooms were all being used, so we improvised and sat on a bench outside. What we didn't realize was that brainstorming outside, without any walls or volume level in place, our creative juices had no limits.
Blessing #1.
I stopped at Office Depot to fax a document to my insurance agent. When all four pages were successfully in my agent's office, the manager of Office Depot (who I don't know by name but recognize his face) handed them to me, asked me if that was all needed, and when I told him it was, he winked and told me to have a good day.
The blessing had nothing to do with saving on the cost of the fax; the blessing was that someone cared to treat me to an unexpected surprise. Blessing #2.
When I arrived home the mailman was at my door dropping off boxes. Since I didn't remember ordering anything, I was curious.
BIG time blessing! People that I had met on facebook and at conferences had mailed books, shirts, food, toys, toiletries to help the flood victims in Nashville. I opened boxes from two different cities in Florida, Ohio, California and Oklahoma. With each box came unspeakable love. People giving to people they had never met, just because they care. THEN I opened my mail and there were gift cards from all over for restaurants, WalMart, Target and grocery stores. I just say down, thanked God for providing for people less fortunate than these precious people. And I cried with joy. Blessing upon blessing today.
For people that complain about this selfish world, look around! Love is all around. You merely have to open your eyes and focus on it!
Today started out as any other ordinary day. I woke up, answered emails, made appointments, and met a colleague for brainstorming.
Wow! The session that we had went a whole different direction, and we just followed it. By the end of the meeting we both looked at each other in amazement, and then looked up to the facilitator.
The blessings started when we arrived at the library to secure a Study Room to meet in. The rooms were all being used, so we improvised and sat on a bench outside. What we didn't realize was that brainstorming outside, without any walls or volume level in place, our creative juices had no limits.
Blessing #1.
I stopped at Office Depot to fax a document to my insurance agent. When all four pages were successfully in my agent's office, the manager of Office Depot (who I don't know by name but recognize his face) handed them to me, asked me if that was all needed, and when I told him it was, he winked and told me to have a good day.
The blessing had nothing to do with saving on the cost of the fax; the blessing was that someone cared to treat me to an unexpected surprise. Blessing #2.
When I arrived home the mailman was at my door dropping off boxes. Since I didn't remember ordering anything, I was curious.
BIG time blessing! People that I had met on facebook and at conferences had mailed books, shirts, food, toys, toiletries to help the flood victims in Nashville. I opened boxes from two different cities in Florida, Ohio, California and Oklahoma. With each box came unspeakable love. People giving to people they had never met, just because they care. THEN I opened my mail and there were gift cards from all over for restaurants, WalMart, Target and grocery stores. I just say down, thanked God for providing for people less fortunate than these precious people. And I cried with joy. Blessing upon blessing today.
For people that complain about this selfish world, look around! Love is all around. You merely have to open your eyes and focus on it!
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