A Joyful Mission

Foolish, Foolish People

I don’t know much about horses but something that I have seen is how if you don’t want them to become spooked then they have to have blinders, and that keeps them looking straightforward and not to the sides. I sometimes think that that is where we are in today’s society as well. Too many people have turned to the world to find wisdom and so are only looking in one direction, yet they fail to realize that the best wisdom comes from following God and reading the words of the bible. The best wisdom also comes from not blaming others for what we choose to do.

My friend Paula sends me (and I know that includes several others, as well) wonderful thoughts and prayers for each day during the work week. Her theme this month of April is about not being a fool. One day, she sent a message that included this verse, Proverbs 14:8, “The wise man looks (thinks) ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts.” This also brings to mind something else that we need to think about. How does a person become wise? Also, what makes them wise?

Although I know that I am not always wise, I know that I am wiser than the world because I see my own faults (mostly) and acknowledge them (mostly). We have to take our own blinders off and look around. We need to learn from others and see what historical events can teach us (those who’ve made mistakes so that we don’t repeat them ourselves).

No one likes to admit fault, I get that. Trust me, it’s a very humbling experience, overall. However, I do know that it sure can become a character builder. I’d take that over being a fool, any day!

So, what did I learn from this? I believe that this life journey that we’re on is full of hills and valleys (Related post: Traversing the hills and valleys of life with grace). It’s how we deal with it that counts. It’s also about what we learned and then we can see how it can help us to become a better version of ourselves. I also know that while I can mourn for how others choose to act, I can’t change them. I can only change myself but I can, hopefully, influence someone to change themselves when they observe my behavior. It kind of comes full circle, don’t you think?

What can you gain from this? I believe that once you take your own blinders off, you begin to see the world in a whole different way. Remember that a fool keeps repeating the same old mistakes while wanting to get a different result. It doesn’t work that way. So stop and reevaluate why you need to change in the first place. Think about the result you want to achieve and change your course. After all, it is your path to take. (Related post: Just going with the flow….)

The Little Things

I was looking out my window and saw a sweet little hummingbird coming to drink and it made me so happy. It reminds me that it’s the little things that we experience in life that have the power to make us happy. It’s especially true when it’s those little things that we sometimes take for granted. We live in a world full of huge, ugly things that want to drown out the most minor details. We need to realize that the devil’s at work and we need to be wise to him and stomp on him as much as we can. We also need to remember that it’s those small details that have the power to help us see things in a better light and it’s those same things that the devil wants to draw us away from.

To help combat that, I’ve been watching The Chosen, and each time that I’ve watched it, I’ve picked up on something else that helps me to see how God has played a part in my life. It’s the little things that I might not have picked up on if I wasn’t focusing on them. You see, I’m hungry for what God is saying to us now. Trust me, when I say that He is speaking and all of His people need to do a better job of listening to what He has to say. We need to remember, though, that God works in the little things that we take for granted and that we pass over because we are too focused on the things that are happening in the world instead. God is speaking and He is showing us the way back to Him.

The time will come when God will make a choice for us. We need to pick our place. Will it be Heaven or will it be Hell? Will it be with God in peace and beauty or will it be with the devil in a fire of everlasting torment? Trust me, they are both real. I know which one I will choose. Which one do you want? There will come a time soon, very soon, and without warning that you will need to decide. So, pay attention to those little things because they will end up becoming much more important than you thought.

So, what did I learn from this? I’m choosing God. I’m choosing Heaven. I know where I want to spend eternity. Our God has never left us nor will He. He just wants us to realize that too. He’s been very patient and He’s given us time to make corrections to our behavior. Some of us just don’t take to it very well. Sin is still a sin even by today’s standards. So, I’d really, really hate to be them when the end time comes because, by then, it will be too late.

What can you gain from this? I dare you to watch The Chosen. I dare you to see the similarities between then and now. I think that once you do watch it then you will become hungry for more. God’s not going to hold your past against you because you have time to repent. Just don’t wait until it’s too late. I know it’s hard to imagine now but you will become a much happier person because of it.

Jehovah-Jirah: Name of God

Jehovah Jirah means “the Lord will provide” and this name relates to the story of Abraham and Isaac in the Old Testament. According to the website: christianity.com, the author, April Motl, writes that when Abraham called God Jehovah-Jireh, he was saying, “You (God) see/experience all this need of mine and make a provision for it.” She also goes on to state, “From the great needs of our soul for issues like salvation and forgiveness to the yearning of our heart for a spouse, God Provides- He is our Jehovah-Jireh. God Sees. God is with Us. It is His promise and His character. It is His very name!”

In reading this, I have begun to understand that while I only see what God’s plan is for me in the short term, I now understand that God sees what I need in the long term. God already has a plan and will provide for every aspect of my life. Even as you read this post, understand and know that God is making a plan for you and for your future. As humans, we are always worrying about anything and everything! (Of course, some of us are more than others!)

I once remember reading (perhaps on Pinterest) that God planted the tree knowing that Zacheus would need to climb it one day so that he could see Jesus in the crowd of people. I don’t know about you, but that’s pretty powerful to me. So this is what this Jehovah-Jirah name of God means to me: God knows all, God sees all and He’s got this! (Related post: God’s Got This)

So, what did I learn from this? I’m a worrier. It’s annoying but there you are. It’s tough to let go of things and it does take a lot of practice to give any and all of my worries to God. I’m getting better at that but I still know what I am. So, thank you, God, that You are so patient with me! It’s a lot about trust and having the understanding that God has a plan for me even though I can’t see it or even understand it. I just have to trust Him to get me where He needs me to be.

What can you gain from this? By “Letting Go and Letting God”, you learn that the worry may still be there but it might be lessened. It doesn’t consume you as much. Remember, that God has a plan for EACH of us. There is no one person who is more important than anyone else. He knows each of us by name. He knows what our thoughts and fears are before we even speak them. He will always love you and give you what you need. Just remember that when the worry starts to overwhelm you, know that He will never leave you. You just have to invite Him into your life and then see what He will do for you. I’m just going to bet that you will be wonderfully surprised by the outcome!

A Conversion of Faith

A troubled woman walked alone to a well that was far from her village. By all accounts, she was not welcome to go with the other women so she had to complete the chore by herself with no one to help. She thought that it was just another day in a long line of days that she had suffered through then she met the one person who changed her and, by doing so, healed her and…. ultimately freed her.

This is the story of the Samaritan woman from John 4: 4-26. We are all like that woman at times. Life becomes just a chore that we need to get through or just get by. We may feel condemned, ashamed, and alone. Then…. something changes. Maybe it’s a small thing that happens or perhaps it’s something large and obvious that catches our attention. It’s at that point that we have that conversion of faith. We’ve opened the door to Him and that door can never entirely be closed the same way again. We’ve become changed, renewed, and free.

So, what is this conversion of faith? It’s God. It’s Jesus, His Son. It’s the Holy Spirit. It’s all three in One. To believe in One means opening the door to the other two. Why? They are all one and the same. Different forms, yes, but don’t we have different needs that need attending to throughout our daily lives? We have our Father in Heaven who created us and has loved us from the beginning of time. We have the Son whom God sent to take our sins away by His death on the cross so that we can live with them in the ever-after. Then we also have the Holy Spirit which we have to guide us in our daily lives. So, you see? He has us covered. No matter where we turn, we have a God who has His bases covered. He can and will get you back on your feet. The only one that is keeping you from taking that step…… is you. (Related post: “Tag….. You’re It!” and God’s Love Language)

So, what did I learn from this? Whew, what a journey I’ve been on myself! However, the longer that I travel on this journey, I have begun to see why God wanted me to go on it in the first place. Do I understand it completely? No, but I have found that this truly is a daily walk with God. I wake up in the morning with prayers, all during the day at times, and then I end my day with prayers. It’s a constant conversation. And, guess what? Since God knows me so intimately, He knows even what I’m not asking for but what I truly want in my heart. This constant conversation is what helps gets me through.

What can you gain from this? God knows you. He loves you. He just wants you to give Him the chance to show you how much He loves you. He doesn’t judge you for your past mistakes so try not to let that keep you from seeking and knowing Him. Remember that fear is the devil’s tool because the devil doesn’t want you to know God. Take that step, reach out your hand, and trust God to get you through. I promise you, you won’t regret it.

Forever and Ever

On Sunday, March 5, 2023, our oldest son, Marc, proposed to his beautiful girlfriend, Heidi. I am so beyond words of excitement for this new chapter in their lives! The ring that Marc had designed for Heidi made me want to write about this. Traditionally, for marriage, we know that a circle is endless as the perfect symbol of oneness and unity-no beginning, no end. However, Marc wanted something more, so he choose an infinity symbol as a part of the circle in order to show his never-ending love for Heidi.

These two symbols of marriage also got me thinking of our God. We have a God who has loved us from the beginning and He will continue to love us in an endless loop that has no beginning or end. I also think that the infinity symbol shows us that we have a God whose love is never-ending for us, no matter what we do, He continues to love us. The idea of that is beautiful to me even though I know that none of us are worthy of His love, He continues to give it wholly and freely.

God’s love is a gift that never, ever goes away and we need to remember that He continues to give it over and over, again even as we, sometimes, push Him away. That kind of love is very powerful stuff. So as I think about the next stage of all of our lives, I am humbled and awed by the symbolism of both the circle and the infinity in the next stage that Marc and Heidi will embark on, I also realize how much God is a part of their lives now and in the future.

So, what did I learn from this? We, humans, can be such fickle creatures. We tend to put finite conditions on our lives and on those around us. We need to learn from God’s beautiful example. Since I try to do that on a daily basis, I am constantly humbled and amazed at God’s capacity for love and forgiveness. I want to be more like God in that aspect and I know that I fail over and over again. However, I know that we have a God who sees my efforts so He is constantly pushing me in the right direction that He wants me to go.

What can you gain from this? It can be awfully humbling to realize that God loves us even despite how many times we fail Him. Luckily, He doesn’t hold it against us. He wants us to learn to know and love Him, just as much as He knows and loves us. Remember that His love is forever and ever and He will never stop reaching out to us. So, why don’t you stop running away and begin to run toward Him, instead? I know that you won’t be sorry!

The Heart of the Giver

Give by Library of Congress is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

Who best knows us inside and out? Who best understands what we are feeling? Who best shows us the meaning of giving? God is our most significant example of what it means to give. He shows us that we need to have a whole heart when we offer. It’s not just about tithing to the church either even though that is very important, too.

2 Corinthians 9: 6-8 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Sometimes giving involves taking time to listen to a friend who needs to just talk without feeling that they are being judged because of their feelings. Sometimes giving involves sharing our talent with others and teaching others a new skill. Sometimes giving involves sharing a meal with someone who is hungry. Sometimes giving involves being generous with monetary help to someone in need. Sometimes giving involves……. whatever you find in your heart to give to someone else.

Remember also that Jesus understood that giving is also a private thing. It’s personal. You don’t need to announce it to everybody who will listen. God already knows what you are doing and He knows the reason why you do it. Just know that you do it as a reflection of the person we all want to try and emulate, God.

So, what did I learn from this? I don’t give because I have to give, I give because I want to give. When I give something to someone then it helps them but it also helps me as well. Sometimes, it’s just a compliment that someone needed to hear that day or a supportive voice in telling a person, not to let other people’s attitudes affect them personally. All that you give, especially when you give impulsively, can help someone. It’s kindness and thoughtfulness that encourages others to do the same. It also becomes a reflection of who you are.

What can you gain from this? I know that it helps me get through the day knowing that I helped someone else. That can be what you experience as well. We have so many negative things going on around us right now that we need some of that positive when we can find it. It’s like a little bit of sunshine on a cloudy day or that’s how I think of it as.

When I was growing up there was a song called “Pass It On”. The lyrics were in part, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going….” (of course, that’s all I remember!) but it seems to me that it says it all, doesn’t it? We all need to be the spark that helps us to treat others in a kinder, more thoughtful way with the hope that others will keep passing it along.

The Faith of a Mustard Seed

In Matthew 13: 31-32, Jesus gave His disciples a parable. In this parable, He states, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and sit on its branches. “. Jesus also stated this in Matthew 17:20, “He said to them, “Because of your little faith (when they had been unable to drive out a demon). Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to the mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Jesus was and is helping us to understand that we can do great things and can help many people in His name if we even have the smallest amount of faith. It helps me to envision how Jesus called His disciples to follow Him. Here was a Man who showed them wonders and miracles and in seeing all, they followed Him. They didn’t have any idea what awaited them, they simply followed and watched Him. In watching Him, their faith grew. Was their faith perfect? No. His disciples struggled just as we struggle today when we are called by God to do what we may think of as impossible. It reminds me of the Saints that are seen in the Catholic Church. Not everyone understands their purpose for being displayed but here it is. The Saints that we see in the Catholic Church are there to remind us that God calls regular humans to do His work on earth in His name. In other words, He calls us ALL to be Saints. That’s can be a pretty intimidating task sometimes and definitely humbling as well! (Related post: A Simple Kind of Love)

So what did I learn from this? I may not understand His purpose now, but I know He will reveal it to me when He knows I’m ready to receive it and learn and grow from it. My faith grows more substantial when I put it into practice. It’s like the crazy trust exercise where you turn your back on a group of people then fall backward and hope they catch you. However, with God, I already know that He will catch me! Also, each time when He catches me, He lifts me higher than I’ve ever been before!!

What can you gain from this? It can be scary to trust in someone that you can’t see but it doesn’t mean that He’s not there. God will give you what you need, then as you grow in your love and confidence with Him, He gives you more. Then you can take what you’ve learned and help others to grow as well. Remember that a tree doesn’t just grow fruit to look pretty, it’s there for our and others’ nourishment as well. (Related post: A New Chapter in the Book of Life)

Be Aware of Thieves!

Thieves take what doesn’t belong to them like our valuables, so naturally, we must be careful. However, the sort of thieves that we also have to be aware of, as well, are those people who are shallow and narcissistic. These are the people who do their best to steal our Joy in life. We must be aware of them also and keep them out of our lives.

So, how do we notice these types of people? We need to be careful to watch for those whose actions don’t match the words that they speak. These are people who will act caring towards you then turn around and talk about you behind your back and do anything that they can to jeopardize your successes. These are also the people who tell you what you want to hear and then do just the opposite or even do something that’s not in your best interest. These are people who will promise that they will take care of you then seem to forget that you even existed. These people may be our neighbors, coworkers, family, and, most importantly, our elected officials.

Perhaps the most difficult part for us is understanding how they can continue to give promises but then fail to live up to those promises, time and time again. Perhaps they keep giving excuses for why they didn’t (or even couldn’t) complete what they said they would instead of actually doing it. Perhaps they blame other people for their own choices. That is, to me, the biggest red flag of all.

Now, what can we do about them? There are always options. First, we have to follow our gut instinct. We need to pay attention to the words and actions of those around us. If they don’t match then that is our first clue. Secondly, we need to distance ourselves from those who don’t have our best interests in mind. Thirdly, we also need to see them for what they actually are. If it is a neighbor, a coworker, or a family member, then the best thing to do is keep your distance. If it is an elected official, then study up on that person and make your voice heard through your vote. Regardless of who they are, don’t let yourself become a victim of their conniving ways. Stay strong even when they try to talk down to you or belittle you for your values. Realize how much stronger you are for not having that poison in your life. Remember that Joy is your reward for having the strength to remain firm and diligent.

So, what did I learn from this? I have learned to stand up for what I believe. I have learned not to compromise my values for what others say that I should believe. I have learned to stand up for others who are bullied even though I don’t like confrontations. I listen to the words of others then I watch to see if their actions match what they are saying. In the end, I surround myself with people who love and support me and who make me a better person.

What can you gain from this? The freedom that comes with opening your eyes to how some people are, can at first be disheartening. However, once you’ve become wiser about them then you can begin to see how burdened those sorts of people are. Remember that you can’t save them from the rabbit hole that they are going down. You just have to realize that at some point that they will get what they deserve and you don’t have to go down that hole with them. In the end, realize that they are weak and you are stronger than them!

Counting My Blessings

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

So sorry that I haven’t been posting lately. There’s this little thing that happened to my family….. it’s called life. Let’s just say that it’s been a long first month of the new year!

However, all the things that have happened to us got me thinking about what I need to be thankful for. Kinda puts a different spin on things. Doesn’t it? As I stated in my previous post (Related post: Punishment or Lesson?), life happens to all of us. Some of the things that we go through are positive and some of them are negative. I have found that what gets me through in dealing with these sorts of events, is that I try to remember to count the many blessings I have instead of focusing on what’s going wrong. They might be small blessings but they are still blessings all the same.

In counting my blessings, I give them over to a God who helps me to get through. He helps me to put things in perspective and realize that at some point I will be able to get past it. It helps me to have faith and hope in God and know that He is with me during all my hills and valleys of life. (Related post: Traversing the hills and valleys of life with grace). There might be lessons that I can learn from it but I haven’t yet and realize that maybe I will in the future. It’s a matter of trust as well as anything else. It’s also Letting Go and Letting God have all of what affects me.

So what did I learn from this? I have found that when I give control of my life over to God then I’m not disappointed with the end result. God’s goal is NEVER to hurt me but to make me better. In going through struggles, He helps me to be a better wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend in the long term. I see that as a good deal all around.

What can you gain from this? Peace is a powerful thing to gain when your world seems to be going crazy. You start to realize that there is a purpose behind everything that happens, and you may also realize that you don’t need to control it but just go along for the ride. (Related post: The Faith-Fueled Journey ). God will reveal what you need to know in time. It’s all about having faith and trust in Him and knowing that He will always be there when you need Him the most.

Punishment or Lesson?

I think that it was in the ’90s that there was a bumper sticker that said “S*** Happens”. It’s true and it’s called life. It happens to all of us. There is NO regard for race, creed, religion, or status in life. So, I guess the thing that we have to do is ask ourselves some questions then we can decide how to handle it from there.

Is this that happened to me a punishment or is it a lesson that I need to learn?

In thinking this through, I believe it is a matter of your POV (or Point of View).

If you always feel that it is a punishment, then you probably have a tendency to blame others for the cause. It’s more likely that you will continue to make the same mistakes over and over. Then yes, it is a punishment but it’s actually a punishment of your own making. The reality is that you have to change your behavior or you risk repeating the same behavior over and over again, which in the long run changes nothing. It’s a choice. You can either keep riding the Ferris wheel or choose to get off. You have to look within to make a change. Fear is what keeps you from escaping.

If you believe that it is a lesson then you most likely have a tendency to look at what you have done wrong and what you can learn from it. It’s the belief that change only occurs when you have learned something and have grown as a person. Trust me when I say that it’s never easy. If it was easy then we wouldn’t have so many problems, would we?

Yes, bad things happen and sometimes those things are not your fault at all and must be dealt with through doctors or the police/law or therapy. Just realize that you aren’t alone. EVERYONE has problems. Don’t let those who post things on social media always fool you into thinking that their life is perfect and they have no issues. If you can get that mindset in your head then it may help you to see your problem as not so bad, totally fixable, and may just an annoyance that you have to look at it as a “This too shall pass.” moment.

So, what did I learn from this? When I take the rose-colored glasses off, I tend to see the world and people how they genuinely are…….flawed. I can’t fix them, I can only fix myself (and sometimes I can’t fix myself at all either!) That is the lesson I’ve learned and am continuing to learn. It’s a constant conversation that I have with myself. So, I get it completely! I know that as long as I keep working on my mental improvement then I can become so much stronger than ever before. I also know that I will have my up and down moments in this life journey. When I’m at my lowest, I turn to God and give it to Him and when I’m on top of the mountain, I make sure to give God a VERY BIG thank you for getting me through!!

What can you gain from this? Courage. It doesn’t mean that you won’t ever be fearful of making a mistake. No, it means that you can grow through it and become better. You will still see the flaws and be okay with them. Also, learn to laugh at yourself. It’s amazing how many fun things I can find out about myself and others that help me to get through the day. Try and see if that works for you as well.

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