“The World Needs Who You Were Made To Be” Joanna Gaines
Now more than ever I’m focused on my purpose for being at all. Refining my focus to purpose doesn’t mean I’ve learned what my purpose is, or that I’ve got it all figured out. I only believe that I’m completely unique; intentionally design by God for this place, this time, to accomplish His plan. The cover of The Magnolia Journal, 10th Issue—Authenticity—has the above quote on the cover. It doesn’t profess to answer, “What’s my authentic self?” but it challenges me to consider pursuing the discovery of what I was intended to contribute to the world I live in.
“God made you as you are in order to use you as He planned.” J. C. McCualey
I’ll continue to face risk with God’s help. Risk of not being liked is only the beginning. Fear of failure is my next mountain to risk climbing, with God’s help. Do you have a definition of authenticity? God made you unique, but are you willing to take the risk to be authentic? What will you do today to shed pretense and be one step closer to the authentic you? Lord, help me drop the walls of pretense that I've spent so many years building and learn to be authentic. Amen “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3 What are your thoughts? Libby
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“Hope is the thing with feathers— That perches in the soul— And sings the tune without the words— And never stops— at all— ” Emily DickinsonOn the after-dinner dog walk, the sky in the west was gold, red, orange and pink. When we turned around there was a full moon hanging in the trees in the eastern sky with a soft pink glow. I had to pause to take a mental image and imprint a memory of the perfect moment to have seen both at the same time. The scent of jasmine, the lack of breeze and virtually no traffic gave it one of those surreal affects, like I slipped through the vortex into heaven for a moment.
I often hear people comment on their large front porch or balcony off the bedroom, but I can’t help but wonder if they actually take the time to enjoy their coffee while sitting on the balcony in the morning, or resting on the front porch in the evenings. We will always be busy; we will always have a to-do list; there will always be people that need our help; but I’m learning that taking time to enjoy life—even a simple dog walk at dusk—is part of what fuels my soul for tomorrow’s challenges, and fills me with hope and joy. Have you walked you dog lately? Are you enjoying this year of tremendous blossoms? How can you fit in a few minutes to enjoy the natural world around you? Lord, slow me down so I don’t rush through a dog walk just so I can get back to wash dishes and resume my to-do list. Amen “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 What are your thoughts? Libby
“…sorrow, it arises from craving…stopping of sorrow, it is the complete stopping of that craving…being emancipated from it.” Indian ProverbAfter two hours I looked down to discover I had only made five minutes progress on the project I set out to accomplish while watching an old movie. My sisters often laugh at me, “Just like Dad reading the paper, you don’t even hear us when we speak to you. You’re like a zombie in front of the TV.”
This Indian Proverb proves the idea of complete abstinence from a craving is not new. Alcoholics Anonymous proved the only effective answer for an alcoholic was to completely give up their craving; they call it sobriety. They don't aspire to be normal drinkers, or even tea-teetotalers, because they know it won't work for them. Even one drink could mean death.
Truly, the only time I’m free from the disappointment of wasting time is when I don’t sit in front of a TV at all! This on/off, black/white, yes/no, do/don’t division of movie watching is the only way I’ve been successful at breaking the power movies have over me. When I try to limit my movie viewing, moderate the frequency, or control the time spent; it’s like playing with fire…I always lose. Do you have something that has this kind of power over you? Are you trying to regulate it, so you can learn to control it like other people? What can you do today that will lift the burden and set you free from the sorrow?
What can a kid do to make God smile? “Say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’…a lot.” C.J. 7 year old
It never ceases to amaze me how a genuine apology can neutralize my frustration. In just minutes my face was cool again, my shoulders had lowered a full inch, and my ears weren’t pulsing. I was now able to hear his assurances that my problem was not beyond hope. Has your frustration recently gone from 0 to 100 in less than 60 seconds? Is there a person who was the brunt of your venting that is now due an apology? What can you do today to relieve your heart, and theirs?
Note: C.J. is one of many anonymous children quoted in the book Soul Food: Wisdom and Inspiration to Feed Your Spirit, compiled by Hallmark, 2007.
“You’re not going to call a stranger when you want someone to talk to.” AnonymousWhen I first started to pray I had no idea what I was doing—or who I was talking to. God was this image of someone or something untouchable, mysterious, unpredictable. Praying, or talking to God, felt a bit like what I imagined it would be if I was in the presence of the Queen, or was to sit down to dinner with Shakespeare, or was to have a conversation with Albert Einstein. Intimidating!
But don’t mis-understand. I’ve made many mistakes along the way. I’ve fallen asleep during prayer—many times. I’ve given God a multiple-choice lists of how I wanted my request answered thinking I’m being flexible and open to His will. I’ve started with my ‘laundry list’ of wants before opening the conversation with an appropriate greeting of praise. And, I’ve all too often spent more time rehearsing my words for others who might be listening than just letting it flow the way I would speak to any other friend. Along the way I’ve also discovered:
Someone once asked me, “If you were to go to heaven today, would you feel at home, or would you feel awkward as if you were a guest in a stranger’s home?” I’m happy to be able to answer, “A little of both.” I certainly know God better than I did, but I don’t know God as well as I’d like. Today I’m more comfortable in God’s presence, more refreshed by His promises, more revived in hope for the future. But, I’m even more in awe of His righteousness, humbled by His forgiveness and overwhelmed by His unconditional love. Someday we will all give our final breath; we’ll go to our final resting place. Will you feel like a guest in the home of a stranger? Do you want to foster a closer relationship today and become more at ease in God's presence? What one thing can you begin today that will build that relationship with God?
Lord, I want to know you more; teach me how to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17). Amen “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and appeal, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God.” Philippians 4:6 What are your thoughts? Libby |
WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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