Selfish??

It's been over a year since I have been on here and I think it is time to start writing again. I'm hoping it won't be as sporadic as it has been in the past. Although, sometimes I don't really have anything to say. But today I do!

Question: Is it okay to be selfish?

I think so! Well, if you are being selfish in the right way. Sometimes we spend so much time taking care of other people that we neglect our own well being. We become emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually drained and have nothing left to refuel our souls. Don't get me wrong. I believe it is important to be a servant, minister, a comfort, protector, or encourager, but don't forget that unless you are in an okay place its hard to get someone there.

Consider doing something special for yourself. Buy yourself a gift. Take up a new hobby, read an intriguing book, enjoy the warmth of the summer evenings alone on a nice walk, or close the door and shut off the phone and spend time with God. It may seem like there is not enough time in the day, or enough money to spend on something extra, but if you become selfish just a little bit, you will be rejuvenated and refreshed and life will seem a bit happier! :)

Just a thought...

M

Fake Chocolate

For those of you that know me, you know that I absolutely LOVE chocolate! Milk chocolate, chocolate with peanuts, walnuts, almonds, with peanut butter, caramel, you name it, I like it. If you really know me, than you also know that I am allergic to chocolate. If I have too much of it, I break out in a rash on my arms and legs. So needless to say, I have to be careful of how much I consume.

Today at work, a student was celebrating his birthday. He walked in with a balloon and a box which I assumed was filled with something sweet. Already looking for a sweet fix I sought him out thinking that maybe he would share. To my surprise he opened the box and there sat a half a dozen chocolate and vanilla frosted cupcakes. My eyes immediately grew as he pulled one out for me. I was so excited.

Later that day, I ate my lunch extremely fast. All all I really wanted and could think about was that cupcake. The presentation was beautiful. It looked wonderful! Whoever decorated it did a marvelous job. The frosting was perfectly formed in a nice design with colorful little candies on top. With so much anticipation, I took the first bite and soon realized that it was fake chocolate!!! Have you ever had fake chocolate before? You know the chocolate that really isn't milk chocolate? It has a different taste to it? It looks good but it's not the real thing. A thought immediately came to my mind. How many times have I gone after something that looked great and was packaged well but it ended up being an imitation? It could have been a job, a guy, a friendship, an open door, a new adventure. But because I was in such a rush I was left only to be disappointed.

So, I wonder today, why do we settle for the fake things in life? Sometimes what looks good on the outside is really not the best fit for us. It looks appealing to our eye and its very enticing, but if we stop and examine it from all angles, receive a little wisdom from those around us, and pray, we can save ourselves from a lot of heartache and disappointment. LOL...believe me, I have a stomach ache now :(

Just a thought!

~M

Faith Like A Child

From time to time, I have the awesome privilege of kid-sitting three amazing girls. Each child has a huge curiosity for life, is very intelligent, and has a witty personality. They definitely keep you on your toes, make you laugh, and push you to think on a deeper level.

One afternoon we were headed down to the basement level of the house to play. The two older girls were already ahead of me and the youngest was trailing close behind. As I reached the last step, she yelled my name and I quickly turned around and instantly caught her in my arms. She has this way of climbing on things, jumping on your lap, or making you feel like you are a piece of jungle gym equipment. :) With her tiny frame in my arms I asked, "now what if I didn't catch you when you jumped?" She replied, "No matter what, I knew you were going to."

January 1, 2010, I walked into this new year very excited about all the possible things that could transpire over the next 365 days. For some reason I was filled with anticipation, unlike previous years, and could not wait to see all the things I have been waiting for unfold. Every facebook status or twitter update was saturated with nothing but positive statements like, "this is going to be a great year," or "I'm looking forward to what this year will hold." It seemed like nothing within the first couple of weeks could detour my thinking. I was focused and my mind was set to live every day to the fullest.

Somewhere along the lines, I started doubting and using "what-if'" in the beginning of my sentences. Somehow, and I don't know at what exact moment, I lost sight of believing that the year was going to be all that I expected it to be. Fear! Putting one foot in front of the other to make room for things to happen became difficult and I wondered if the things I had been praying and believing for would really happen. I was stuck. I questioned every opportunity that was presented to me and closed a few doors just because I was unsure and afraid. Yes, this was all in the month of January!

Last week I was reminded of the little girl jumping into my arms with full confidence that I would catch her and not let her fall. If her faith in me was that strong, how much stronger should my faith be knowing that even as I take a step or leap of faith, God will catch me no matter what. Its one thing to have a positive attitude and hope for the best, but its another thing to put those positive thoughts into action. It takes one step at a time...one victory at a time...one goal at a time. If I begin fall I can have peace in knowing that He will catch me!

So do you have faith like a child today? Are you shrinking back on dreams or goals fearing what the outcome with be? Deep inside are you hoping for a great year but are not taking the necessary steps or actions to allow those things to happen? Jump...no matter what, He will catch you!

Just a thought...

~M

Turkey Sandwich Anyone?

About a month or so ago, I was so excited to make a turkey sandwich. I took all the ingredients that I needed out of the refrigerator and began to make this wonderful creation. I placed the turkey and muenster cheese carefully on top of the bread. I added lettuce and a tomato and just the right amount of mayonnaise. Not too much, not too little. It looked great. I could not wait to dive into it and satisfy the hunger I had. After adding some Lays potato chips on the side and pouring a glass of juice, I was ready. First bite...oh man this is good...second bite...man, I didn't know how good this sandwich could be! It was in the third bite that I realized something was wrong. I was chewing and chewing and chewing and the food would not go away in my mouth. So many different questions started running through my mind. Did I buy bad turkey? Was the lettuce old? It wasn't until I took a piece of chewed food out of mouth (gross I know) and examined it, did I figure out what the problem was. I never took off the plastic wrap that is on the cheese that divides each slice from the other. I was so annoyed. I threw my sandwich down on my plate and just stared at it. I was looking forward to it and now it was ruined.

LOL...I can sit back and laugh at myself now. So may people do not even realize how clumsy and silly I can be. Believe me, I have plenty of stories. But for some reason, today I was reminded of this turkey sandwich story and it got me thinking. Sometimes we get so excited about something new happening in our lives and we just want to dive in full force. In the midst of our enthusiasm and longing desires, sometimes things don't always pan out the way we thought they would. It started off great, but may have ended horribly. I am so thankful that there is a God that sees all, knows all, and is in all things and is in tuned to the details of our lives. We may not always understand why certain things that looked or seemed great in beginning ended up to be so very wrong. But, God knows and its all part of His master plan. 

I encourage you as I encourage myself today to remember, that it may look great, but if it is not all that we hoped it to be, He knows better than we do. His thoughts are nothing like our thoughts, and His ways are far beyond anything we can imagine or think. (Isaiah 55:8-9) He knows you and what is best for you!

Just a thought

~M

God Has My Back!

For the past few days, Jeremiah 29:11 has been stuck on my mind. I have been singing the song constantly in my car wherever I go.  I love how it is written in the Message Bible. " I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." Doesn't that sound wonderful?

Lately, I have been filled with so much worry. I have been trying very hard to cast all of my cares and not carry these burdens. I truly think that there isn't one more thing that I can bear, but just when I think that I can't handle anything more, God gives me grace and strength to make it through. I don't know why there are seasons in our lives when it seems like it is one struggle after the other, but, I do know through it all I am becoming stronger and drawing closer to the Lord. 

A month ago, I went to the public library in the town that I live in and opened up a library card account. Growing up I never enjoyed reading and it was something my parents had to force me to do. But, within the last number of years, I really enjoy a quiet afternoon or evening reading a great book. On this trip to the library, I checked out two books. Each one had a unique story line and seemed interesting enough. Well...to be honest, I gathered that information only from reading the back of the book. For I never opened it once in the month that it was in my possession.

I returned those books this afternoon, ashamed that I never cracked it open. I went on a hunt for another one with hopes of really getting into my choice. I stumbled upon a book written by a Christian author name Karen Kingsbury.  I've read many of her older work and I am very familiar with her style of writing. I chose her book "Divine", and decided to read the first chapter there at the library. Within the first few chapters, I was amazed and blown away that God was speaking directly to me in this fiction Christian novel. Like it became magnified, bold, and clear just for my eyes to see. "For I know the plans I have for you...." There was that verse again. It was a reminder that no matter what, God has my back! I don't have to worry, analyze, try to create an opportunity, whine, complain, cry, pout, be anxious, or fear. God knows what He is doing and He has everything under control.

So...what are you dealing with today? What is plaguing you mind? Whatever it is be encouraged and know that He has great plans for your life. All you have to do is trust Him and let Him do what He does best! Umm...He is God!

Just a thought!

~M

This Too Shall Pass

I never really liked this phrase. I always wondered if what I was dealing with really would ever pass. It just seemed like it would always be there and never go away. Be encouraged today that the Father knows whatever you are going through and truly "this too shall pass!"

Forever I Will Run...Now You Have My Heart!

I could not get home quick enough from church tonight so that I could jump on this computer and write this blog. This is the first time I have such a huge urgency to write. Someone needs to read this. Someone is in need of encouragement and hope. I know it and believe it with everything within me.

In all honesty, the past couple of months have been a roller coaster. Good days, bad days. Days when I feel like I'm on top of a mountain top, and days where I dwelled in the valley. There is a song that a good friend of mine shared with me. This song for the past 3 days or so has been playing in my car on repeat. Literally. I have not listened to one other thing. It just plays over and over. This song has become my song of deliverance. My anthem!

I truly don't know what you are up against right at this moment, but I have come to share in the hope that I have found. It could be a heavy financial situation, a broken marriage or relationship, depression, sickness, anxiety, fear, anger, or defeat. I declare today that if you purpose in your heart to run after God and hand over your heart, your desires, and needs, he will show up right in the middle of your situation. I don't mean to preach, but I feel so strong about telling someone this. God is ready to meet you right where you are at. He is calling you by name! Nothing but amazing results follow when one pursues the presence of God. Whatever the need, your answer lies in Him. I can't urge you enough....go after Him!

Like I mentioned before, this has been my anthem for the past few days and I would like to share it with you. Listen to the words carefully and I pray that you too will choose to forget about the circumstance, give God your burdens, and run after Him.

Just a thought!

~M