Monday, November 11, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
{just} listen
I attended a great conference last week, heard some awesome speakers and met some incredible people. The event was similar to attending the EntreLeadership Master Series in Cancun with Dave Ramsey and his team.
I am always amazed at when you interact with people how their life shows through, in just a short little bit. When you ask them questions, you engage in conversation, you learn about them. Where they live, what they do for work, their family, their struggles, their fears, their hopes, their relationship with God. If you simply ask questions, you will learn a lot. All you have to do is just listen. I wish to share an experience I had.
The first evening of the event, you checked in, got your materials and connected with people. It was what they call a mixer. Some people would walk up to you and other times you walked up to them. I have not done the amount of networking events that I had for a few years and I found this time that it took me a little bit to get back into the groove of this and "get out of myself" and not just stick to a wall or hide in a corner. When I have a lot on my mind, am not feeling myself, or am feeling self conscious this is my natural instinct to hide. I have learned to interact with people, but I truly am an introvert in the core. People say they don't think that, but I know I have learned to engage with people, this was not my natural personality.
One of the guys that approached me, was full of life, big smile, warm and friendly to everyone in our circle. He mixed and mingled easily with everyone and seemed intent on connecting with every person at the event. None of this might have stood out to me, until I reflected back on it when we had lunch together the last day of the event.
After the last session, we had lunch together and he asked what my takeaways were from the conference and for me to share my story about how I got into being an Entrepreneur; thus we begin our conversation. As we chatted, I did what I always do and engage with people asking them about their life, starting with small talk about where they live and what they do (though I knew some of this from meeting him the first night), to what matters to them, to how God is apart of their life and what I can do to encourage and help them succeed.
It did not take long for my conversation with Fred to get deep. The guy was hurting. Deeply hurting. Behind his engaging smile and interaction with the attendees, he was dealing with a horrific emotional pain. His wife recently asked for a divorce after 21 years of marriage and 4 kids whom are his world. He absolutely still loves her. Yet he feels he has succeeded at everything in life but his marriage. He believes he put his marriage before his relationship with God. He lives with a gnawing pain in the pit of his stomach. He shared with me that he had left the conference at some point in the morning session, needing to go for a run to deal with all his thoughts and feelings that easily overwhelm him. He is frustrated as he knows his smile is fake and he doesn't know how he is going to go on and he longs for his old self to be back. Yet, through the pain he is determined to still care for his wife and take care of her even if they live separately. He is a millionaire, but this has not made him happy. He wants his wife.
In my mind, I reflected to one of the statements made by one of the speakers at the conference: "No amount of success will make up for failure in the home". This was an example of that. No wonder he needed to go for a run, it would be hard to face these reminders.
He showed me pictures of their last family picture together. He showed me a picture of her, swallowing back the emotion, trying to talk. He said "She is beautiful and means everything to me Misty." The pain was intense, raw, the loss overwhelming, the grief enormous.
I listened. Fred did not need me to tell him that he made mistakes, he knows that. He did not need me to tell him what to do now, how to live, that time will heal his hurts or any other meaningless statement. He needed me to listen. I did. In doing so, he asked me, "Misty, you have shared some heartache and grief in your own life. How do you get past it?"
Wow. I hadn't anticipated this. Me giving him advice? He has no idea the amount of pain and sorrow I have faced. I said a silent prayer, "God help me have the words to say that he see's the part you have played in my life in working through pain and how you can help him in his."
I took a deep breath and encouraged him to not be afraid of the pain. To lean into it and let it work in your heart. To not live in fear. To pray. And above all, that no matter what mistakes he has made that God still loves Him. At this point in the conversation, there were tears in his eyes. This man is maybe 10 years older than me and he could not hide his pain. His world was torn apart. I told him to have hope that his marriage can be restored.
He shook his head aggressively no, "She won't have me Misty. She no longer wants me." He shared an email he sent her to wish her Happy Birthday, a text message to let her know that he was here for her, the sorrow at her lack of response. I encouraged him to continue to reach out to her, not to give up, to still have hope, that kindness matters, and to still be loving to her even when he is hurting, this will be a testimony to her and might reach her. In the end, he might win her back, she might change her mind. I told him I never give up on second chances. God has given ALL of us second chances! I told him regardless of why things have fallen apart, what has happened, and what he did, if he allows God to give him the strength to work through this, he will work all things for good. I told him as he is aware of Romans 8:28 it doesn't state that the things will be good but that God will work them for good. He told me he had never heard it like that. He then said, "But Misty, God knows I never wanted this."
This wasn't something I knew how to respond to. He may not have wanted this, but life had produced this because of little choices on his behalf and her behalf. Marriages don't fall apart just because [yes, I am not married and I don't have any marriage advice to give, but I know all relationships take work]. Regardless, he was here now. There was no way to undo the past. So I said, "I know. There are lots of things we don't want in life."
I thanked him for opening sharing his story, in a time of immense pain, hurt and loss. I told him that I would be in prayer for him, his wife, his kids. Prayers that God will give him peace and calm the feelings in the pit of his stomach. Prayers that his marriage can be restored, prayers that the kindness he continues to show her will win her as true love cannot be ignored and kindness matters. Prayers that she would give him a second chance. Prayers that the kids are able to work through the feelings they are experiencing through this. Prayers that God will help him to be brave. Prayers that God will be with him each step of this horrible experience. He thanked me over and over for listening.
As I walked away from this time, my heart hurt for him, for his wife, for his kids. Pain is real. The effects of broken relationships affects everyone. I wondered why more of us don't just listen?
I was reminded through this experience that just when you think someone has their life together, they are warm and friendly, smiling, engaging with people, doesn't mean that it isn't a mask, hiding behind a horrific amount of pain.
It reminded me of a saying I wish I had known and believed earlier in life, you probably have seen it:
I wish I would remember this more. I know it would change how I look at people if I kept that in mind more frequently. It takes skill to learn to communicate to people that even if you don't know the details, you know that there is mess in their life that is creating pain and that you can see they are hurting without making them feel they had to share with you those details or that they are a mess. But at the same time, learning to share those details brings healing. It takes faith to believe you are not the only one fighting battles, even if your battles are unique and maybe even of more quantity than others.
It is not an accident that I met him. It is not an accident that I was there to listen and encourage him. I just pray that the short time we had together he walked away with something to help heal his hurt and pain and to be reaffirmed in the fact that God loves him in the midst of all of his pain and failures. I will probably never see him again, and when you think of touching someones life in a brief moment and making an impact, it truly makes you think about what matters. Makes me think of one of my favorite verses:
May each of us be open, willing to share our lives with others, and more importantly, may we be willing to listen and love people.
We all need to be loved.
I am always amazed at when you interact with people how their life shows through, in just a short little bit. When you ask them questions, you engage in conversation, you learn about them. Where they live, what they do for work, their family, their struggles, their fears, their hopes, their relationship with God. If you simply ask questions, you will learn a lot. All you have to do is just listen. I wish to share an experience I had.
The first evening of the event, you checked in, got your materials and connected with people. It was what they call a mixer. Some people would walk up to you and other times you walked up to them. I have not done the amount of networking events that I had for a few years and I found this time that it took me a little bit to get back into the groove of this and "get out of myself" and not just stick to a wall or hide in a corner. When I have a lot on my mind, am not feeling myself, or am feeling self conscious this is my natural instinct to hide. I have learned to interact with people, but I truly am an introvert in the core. People say they don't think that, but I know I have learned to engage with people, this was not my natural personality.
One of the guys that approached me, was full of life, big smile, warm and friendly to everyone in our circle. He mixed and mingled easily with everyone and seemed intent on connecting with every person at the event. None of this might have stood out to me, until I reflected back on it when we had lunch together the last day of the event.
After the last session, we had lunch together and he asked what my takeaways were from the conference and for me to share my story about how I got into being an Entrepreneur; thus we begin our conversation. As we chatted, I did what I always do and engage with people asking them about their life, starting with small talk about where they live and what they do (though I knew some of this from meeting him the first night), to what matters to them, to how God is apart of their life and what I can do to encourage and help them succeed.
It did not take long for my conversation with Fred to get deep. The guy was hurting. Deeply hurting. Behind his engaging smile and interaction with the attendees, he was dealing with a horrific emotional pain. His wife recently asked for a divorce after 21 years of marriage and 4 kids whom are his world. He absolutely still loves her. Yet he feels he has succeeded at everything in life but his marriage. He believes he put his marriage before his relationship with God. He lives with a gnawing pain in the pit of his stomach. He shared with me that he had left the conference at some point in the morning session, needing to go for a run to deal with all his thoughts and feelings that easily overwhelm him. He is frustrated as he knows his smile is fake and he doesn't know how he is going to go on and he longs for his old self to be back. Yet, through the pain he is determined to still care for his wife and take care of her even if they live separately. He is a millionaire, but this has not made him happy. He wants his wife.
In my mind, I reflected to one of the statements made by one of the speakers at the conference: "No amount of success will make up for failure in the home". This was an example of that. No wonder he needed to go for a run, it would be hard to face these reminders.
He showed me pictures of their last family picture together. He showed me a picture of her, swallowing back the emotion, trying to talk. He said "She is beautiful and means everything to me Misty." The pain was intense, raw, the loss overwhelming, the grief enormous.
I listened. Fred did not need me to tell him that he made mistakes, he knows that. He did not need me to tell him what to do now, how to live, that time will heal his hurts or any other meaningless statement. He needed me to listen. I did. In doing so, he asked me, "Misty, you have shared some heartache and grief in your own life. How do you get past it?"
Wow. I hadn't anticipated this. Me giving him advice? He has no idea the amount of pain and sorrow I have faced. I said a silent prayer, "God help me have the words to say that he see's the part you have played in my life in working through pain and how you can help him in his."
I took a deep breath and encouraged him to not be afraid of the pain. To lean into it and let it work in your heart. To not live in fear. To pray. And above all, that no matter what mistakes he has made that God still loves Him. At this point in the conversation, there were tears in his eyes. This man is maybe 10 years older than me and he could not hide his pain. His world was torn apart. I told him to have hope that his marriage can be restored.
He shook his head aggressively no, "She won't have me Misty. She no longer wants me." He shared an email he sent her to wish her Happy Birthday, a text message to let her know that he was here for her, the sorrow at her lack of response. I encouraged him to continue to reach out to her, not to give up, to still have hope, that kindness matters, and to still be loving to her even when he is hurting, this will be a testimony to her and might reach her. In the end, he might win her back, she might change her mind. I told him I never give up on second chances. God has given ALL of us second chances! I told him regardless of why things have fallen apart, what has happened, and what he did, if he allows God to give him the strength to work through this, he will work all things for good. I told him as he is aware of Romans 8:28 it doesn't state that the things will be good but that God will work them for good. He told me he had never heard it like that. He then said, "But Misty, God knows I never wanted this."
This wasn't something I knew how to respond to. He may not have wanted this, but life had produced this because of little choices on his behalf and her behalf. Marriages don't fall apart just because [yes, I am not married and I don't have any marriage advice to give, but I know all relationships take work]. Regardless, he was here now. There was no way to undo the past. So I said, "I know. There are lots of things we don't want in life."
I thanked him for opening sharing his story, in a time of immense pain, hurt and loss. I told him that I would be in prayer for him, his wife, his kids. Prayers that God will give him peace and calm the feelings in the pit of his stomach. Prayers that his marriage can be restored, prayers that the kindness he continues to show her will win her as true love cannot be ignored and kindness matters. Prayers that she would give him a second chance. Prayers that the kids are able to work through the feelings they are experiencing through this. Prayers that God will help him to be brave. Prayers that God will be with him each step of this horrible experience. He thanked me over and over for listening.
As I walked away from this time, my heart hurt for him, for his wife, for his kids. Pain is real. The effects of broken relationships affects everyone. I wondered why more of us don't just listen?
I was reminded through this experience that just when you think someone has their life together, they are warm and friendly, smiling, engaging with people, doesn't mean that it isn't a mask, hiding behind a horrific amount of pain.
It reminded me of a saying I wish I had known and believed earlier in life, you probably have seen it:
"Be kinder than necessary, everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
I wish I would remember this more. I know it would change how I look at people if I kept that in mind more frequently. It takes skill to learn to communicate to people that even if you don't know the details, you know that there is mess in their life that is creating pain and that you can see they are hurting without making them feel they had to share with you those details or that they are a mess. But at the same time, learning to share those details brings healing. It takes faith to believe you are not the only one fighting battles, even if your battles are unique and maybe even of more quantity than others.
It is not an accident that I met him. It is not an accident that I was there to listen and encourage him. I just pray that the short time we had together he walked away with something to help heal his hurt and pain and to be reaffirmed in the fact that God loves him in the midst of all of his pain and failures. I will probably never see him again, and when you think of touching someones life in a brief moment and making an impact, it truly makes you think about what matters. Makes me think of one of my favorite verses:
Love others well, and don't hide behind a mask; love authentically. ~ Romans 12:9, The Voice
May each of us be open, willing to share our lives with others, and more importantly, may we be willing to listen and love people.
We all need to be loved.
Quotes
We believe doing it God's way is the right way. We laugh together, cry together, but no matter what we will pray with each other.
- Jase Robertson, Duck Dynasty
- Jase Robertson, Duck Dynasty
Monday, November 4, 2013
37th Birthday
Today is my birthday! I am 37. I don't have any big birthday plans, largely because I am spending it at a conference in Dallas, from yesterday through tomorrow. My phone has blown up with text messages and Facebook messages, to the point that it was dead by 2pm, when it normally lasts two days. Of course, it didn't help I was doing a bunch of tweeting hoping to win one of the giveaway's today...but I didn't.
One of my clients is attending this conference with me...I was given this before the beginning of today's conference:
One of the people I met at this conference, Dr. Tomi Grover, was at my table at dinner. She had the whole table sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me and she made sure I got a piece of cake to eat! Love having people in my life who do little things to make me feel special.
In reflection of my year from 36 to 37, the last year has brought some amazing life changing events, some really hard, yet some really good experiences too. I have faced some things I never thought I would face. Through it all, one thing stands clear: God has been with me. My prayer life has changed significantly, in an incredible way! God has brought people into my life who I get to share my faith journey with and who have helped me learn so much more about God, his love for me and that I am good enough. God has given me some deep lessons on this courageous path. My trust and faith in Him continues to grow and I know it will grow deeper yet. He is bigger than all I will ever face and I love Him!!!
Here is to another year living with courage and leading with love!
One of my clients is attending this conference with me...I was given this before the beginning of today's conference:
 |
A special birthday delivery from a client and friend! I LOVE books and reading...thanks!!! |
In reflection of my year from 36 to 37, the last year has brought some amazing life changing events, some really hard, yet some really good experiences too. I have faced some things I never thought I would face. Through it all, one thing stands clear: God has been with me. My prayer life has changed significantly, in an incredible way! God has brought people into my life who I get to share my faith journey with and who have helped me learn so much more about God, his love for me and that I am good enough. God has given me some deep lessons on this courageous path. My trust and faith in Him continues to grow and I know it will grow deeper yet. He is bigger than all I will ever face and I love Him!!!
Here is to another year living with courage and leading with love!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Counseling Session #19
I didn't do well at my homework. I seem to be stuck.
My counselor asked me questions. What was the hardest part of writing your story? She is amazed at how I did it and stated most people can not do what I did in all aspects of remembering, writing, reading, and hearing the story. I am not surprised. I was determined to do this, even though it was one of the hardest things I have EVER done.
We discussed the reactions to my story by others. The things I still question. The need for validation and reassurance. The steps to read, acknowledge and accept my story. The steps to grieving my childhood.
Homework:
My counselor asked me questions. What was the hardest part of writing your story? She is amazed at how I did it and stated most people can not do what I did in all aspects of remembering, writing, reading, and hearing the story. I am not surprised. I was determined to do this, even though it was one of the hardest things I have EVER done.
We discussed the reactions to my story by others. The things I still question. The need for validation and reassurance. The steps to read, acknowledge and accept my story. The steps to grieving my childhood.
Homework:
- Write a review of what I got out of telling my story. [Worst Part. Best Part. What didn't I get out of it that I had hoped to? How I felt? How I relate to my family? Myself?
- Write 2 or 3 personal goals since writing my story.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Quotes
Referring to the Bible: It's a weapon of mass instruction. A love letter from Almighty God...that says I am for you!
- Jase Robertson, Duck Dynasty
- Jase Robertson, Duck Dynasty
Saturday, October 26, 2013
2nd Testimony with IAmSecondBracelet
I wrote about my I Am Second bracelet that I purchased and the 1st experience I had sharing with someone about it here. I have had some small experiences, some people who will say "I love your I Am Second bracelet" or "I love what they are about". This week, I had another big experience.
I was working at a clients office, meeting with a representative of an IPA that does their Credentialing & Contracting Services. We have had issues for several months and though I have spent gobs of time trying to get them to resolve the problems, they have been very inept at it. I asked for an onsite meeting.
We had been talking for a good 30 minutes or so and during an interval between topics, Kristine stopped me and asked me what the message was on my bracelet. I wear it with the message pointed at me. Many of these types of bands, most people wear with the message pointed out towards the fingers so the other person can read it. I wear it on my left hand with the wording directly towards me so that I can read it.
Not knowing where the conversation would go, I kept it simple. "It say's I Am Second." She said "What is that? I have never heard of it." I took a deep breath, not wanting to get all "churchy" on her, I smiled and said, "In a nutshell it is the message that God is First in my life and I am Second. They have a website with lots of testimonials at www.IAmSecond.com." She immediately said, "That is cool". Nothing more about it. So I said "Yes, it is." and said nothing more.
As things worked, the next day I got an email from IAmSecond. I forwarded it to my business email account. I then sent it to her with a simple message:
Kristine,
Here is my email today from I Am Second. Check them out at www.iamsecond.com. Let me know what you think!
Guess what? I got a response from her today:
Misty, thank you. So thoughtful of you to send this to me. I’m sure you know how rare it is to share faith with people in today’s world and in the work place in general. I know I already have more blessings then I deserve. Heaven to ground me and a family that always calls me home. At the end of the day, I just pray every day I have a life that’s good. It was a blessing to meet you. GOD’s speed. Everything else is just stuff…..Thanks again, Kris
Is she a believer? Does she love God? Does she have a relationship with him? People speak of God and blessings yet may not really understand either. I don't have to figure out if she is or isn't. My journey is to share the gospel, to encourage, to plant seeds. It is little seeds that get sown that matter. Seeds of God's Love. Seeds of his forgiveness. Seeds of his grace. Seeds of what he has done for us by redeeming us. Seeds of kindness. Seeds of faith.
My I Am Second bracelet is allowing me to do just that...share the gospel, encourage, plant seeds. I am blown away at the ways God works and the people he brings on my journey. I pray that I am a reflection and continue to pursue a life of living I Am Second.
I was working at a clients office, meeting with a representative of an IPA that does their Credentialing & Contracting Services. We have had issues for several months and though I have spent gobs of time trying to get them to resolve the problems, they have been very inept at it. I asked for an onsite meeting.
We had been talking for a good 30 minutes or so and during an interval between topics, Kristine stopped me and asked me what the message was on my bracelet. I wear it with the message pointed at me. Many of these types of bands, most people wear with the message pointed out towards the fingers so the other person can read it. I wear it on my left hand with the wording directly towards me so that I can read it.
Not knowing where the conversation would go, I kept it simple. "It say's I Am Second." She said "What is that? I have never heard of it." I took a deep breath, not wanting to get all "churchy" on her, I smiled and said, "In a nutshell it is the message that God is First in my life and I am Second. They have a website with lots of testimonials at www.IAmSecond.com." She immediately said, "That is cool". Nothing more about it. So I said "Yes, it is." and said nothing more.
As things worked, the next day I got an email from IAmSecond. I forwarded it to my business email account. I then sent it to her with a simple message:
Kristine,
Here is my email today from I Am Second. Check them out at www.iamsecond.com. Let me know what you think!
Guess what? I got a response from her today:
Misty, thank you. So thoughtful of you to send this to me. I’m sure you know how rare it is to share faith with people in today’s world and in the work place in general. I know I already have more blessings then I deserve. Heaven to ground me and a family that always calls me home. At the end of the day, I just pray every day I have a life that’s good. It was a blessing to meet you. GOD’s speed. Everything else is just stuff…..Thanks again, Kris
My I Am Second bracelet is allowing me to do just that...share the gospel, encourage, plant seeds. I am blown away at the ways God works and the people he brings on my journey. I pray that I am a reflection and continue to pursue a life of living I Am Second.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
song ~ brave
Brave
by Sara Bareilles
You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love
Or you can start speaking up
Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do
When they settle ‘neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins
But I wonder what would happen if you
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave
Everybody’s been there,
Everybody’s been stared down by the enemy
Fallen for the fear
And done some disappearing,
Bow down to the mighty
Don’t run, stop holding your tongue
Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your brave is
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
And since your history of silence
Won’t do you any good,
Did you think it would?
Let your words be anything but empty
Why don’t you tell them the truth?
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
See you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
by Sara Bareilles
You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love
Or you can start speaking up
Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do
When they settle ‘neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins
But I wonder what would happen if you
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave
Everybody’s been there,
Everybody’s been stared down by the enemy
Fallen for the fear
And done some disappearing,
Bow down to the mighty
Don’t run, stop holding your tongue
Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your brave is
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
And since your history of silence
Won’t do you any good,
Did you think it would?
Let your words be anything but empty
Why don’t you tell them the truth?
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
See you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
does your light shine?
I have been thinking about the song we learn as little kids:
What is our light? How do we let it shine? Who are we shinning it to?
Our light can be our spirit of giving. Our spirit of love. Our spirit of comfort. Our spirit of a smile. Our spirit of joy. Our spirit through a hug. Our spirit in listening. Our spirit in a word of encouragement. Our spirit of support. Our spirit of kindness. Our spirit of peace. Our spirit of prayer. Our spirit of patience. Our spirit of courage. Our spirit of faith.
Our light is showing the spirit of God...in everything we do...to everyone our lives touch.
We may touch them in a fleeting second at the drive through window. We may pass them on the road. We may speak to them on the phone before they transfer us to someone else. We may work with them weekly on a project. But however long or short our interaction is with them, our spirit will be felt...on one way or another.
The true light is Jesus. And if that light is alive and lite within us, it can't be hid. It will sneak out, through the cracks in the walls. It will create a warmth that can be felt even if the beam is not seen.
Impressive to think about? As I have thought about the ways our light shines it makes me want to be more purposeful in sharing my light...letting its beam be reflected off me to others. In simple small ways. Let your light shine!
This little light of mine, I am gonna let it shine.
What is our light? How do we let it shine? Who are we shinning it to?
Our light can be our spirit of giving. Our spirit of love. Our spirit of comfort. Our spirit of a smile. Our spirit of joy. Our spirit through a hug. Our spirit in listening. Our spirit in a word of encouragement. Our spirit of support. Our spirit of kindness. Our spirit of peace. Our spirit of prayer. Our spirit of patience. Our spirit of courage. Our spirit of faith.
Our light is showing the spirit of God...in everything we do...to everyone our lives touch.
We may touch them in a fleeting second at the drive through window. We may pass them on the road. We may speak to them on the phone before they transfer us to someone else. We may work with them weekly on a project. But however long or short our interaction is with them, our spirit will be felt...on one way or another.
The true light is Jesus. And if that light is alive and lite within us, it can't be hid. It will sneak out, through the cracks in the walls. It will create a warmth that can be felt even if the beam is not seen.
Impressive to think about? As I have thought about the ways our light shines it makes me want to be more purposeful in sharing my light...letting its beam be reflected off me to others. In simple small ways. Let your light shine!
Monday, October 21, 2013
Counseling Session #18
Today we reviewed the plan. Plan is to:
- Touch the pain
- Deal with the hurt
- Put the past in perspective
What I have accomplished:
- I am embracing my story.
- I am recognizing behaviors and hurts I still carry with me.
New Goal:
- Write about life since then. Include struggles, triumphs, challenges, and [family] issues.
Quotes
We don’t need to increase our goods nearly as much as we need to scale down our wants. Not wanting something is as good as possessing it.
- Donald Horban
- Donald Horban
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
donation of time and skills for charity
 |
| spent the day making childrens pillowcases for Cook Children's Hospital ...and squeezed in some Aunt Misty time too! |
Friday, October 18, 2013
living so your life matters
Your fingerprints are all over the world around you – offering perspective that only you can, healing hurts that only you can, shaping the future as only you can.
- Chance Scoggins
[read full post here: http://www.chancescoggins.com/living-so-your-life-matters]
- Chance Scoggins
[read full post here: http://www.chancescoggins.com/living-so-your-life-matters]
Thursday, October 17, 2013
why do I {we} not learn lessons?
I wanted to share a conversation the other day with a girlfriend.
She was sharing with me her frustrations with herself that she doesn't seem to get these lessons, lessons she feels she should know and not have to repeat. The lesson about giving it all to God, not trying to take it back into her own hands. The lessons of not thinking that it is all required on her to do and that God won't help. Those kinds of lessons.
I understand being frustrated with yourself when you feel you should get a lesson, or berating yourself because by now should have gotten a lesson. However I shared a thought with her that she found interesting, so I share with you...in case you do this same thing or have these same thoughts.
As we are little kids, we are taught that if we just try, we can. If we just take that first step, we can walk. If we just try, we can learn to read, write, play an instrument, speak a hard word, make cookies, go sit on granpa and granma's lap, etc. We are not taught, you must pray about this and God will give you strength to take your first step. We are taught we are capable, if we will just do it. We are taught that it depends on us to get something done. We get told, "Try to do it on your own and if you can't, then call me." We are taught to seek help from ourselves first before we seek help from others.
Please don't mistake me. We are capable! God designed us to be. And I believe He absolutely wants us to be!!! He created us in His image and we are reflections of Him. There are also aspects of teaching and learning that you must be shoved out to ride that bike on your own or you will be dependent on others and never learn the art of riding a bike.
But our first instinct is not to seek God. It is to fix it ourselves. To make a plan on our own. To forge ahead without seeking Him to guide us. This is what takes learning. This is where we face lessons to learn what it means to seek God and to trust Him. And to listen to His Spirit communicate with ours. Does that mean we sit back and do nothing? No, I don't believe that is what it means either. It is a balance. To pray and create that relationship with Him over everything. To trust that He has my absolute best desire at heart and is going to work all the details out that will be My Story and fit My Journey, even if I don't consider it good, it will be worked out for good.
Maybe you are one of those parents that teach this not only as an example but in instruction in the growing and learning years to your child. I only can tell you, I wasn't taught such things. I have had to learn the hard way.
I am working at not being frustrated with myself for these lessons. Blaming myself doesn't make it easier. Being negative doesn't make the battle go away. Just as a teacher has to reinforce the concepts to us during our years of schooling, I am having to reinforce these principles daily, repeatedly, relentlessly, in my walk.
Some of these lessons will be tests. I will fail. But I pray I learn and that I grow stronger as I develop the character God is building in me.
Psalm 31:14
But I trust in you, Lord; I say, "You are my God." [NIV]
She was sharing with me her frustrations with herself that she doesn't seem to get these lessons, lessons she feels she should know and not have to repeat. The lesson about giving it all to God, not trying to take it back into her own hands. The lessons of not thinking that it is all required on her to do and that God won't help. Those kinds of lessons.
I understand being frustrated with yourself when you feel you should get a lesson, or berating yourself because by now should have gotten a lesson. However I shared a thought with her that she found interesting, so I share with you...in case you do this same thing or have these same thoughts.
As we are little kids, we are taught that if we just try, we can. If we just take that first step, we can walk. If we just try, we can learn to read, write, play an instrument, speak a hard word, make cookies, go sit on granpa and granma's lap, etc. We are not taught, you must pray about this and God will give you strength to take your first step. We are taught we are capable, if we will just do it. We are taught that it depends on us to get something done. We get told, "Try to do it on your own and if you can't, then call me." We are taught to seek help from ourselves first before we seek help from others.
Please don't mistake me. We are capable! God designed us to be. And I believe He absolutely wants us to be!!! He created us in His image and we are reflections of Him. There are also aspects of teaching and learning that you must be shoved out to ride that bike on your own or you will be dependent on others and never learn the art of riding a bike.
But our first instinct is not to seek God. It is to fix it ourselves. To make a plan on our own. To forge ahead without seeking Him to guide us. This is what takes learning. This is where we face lessons to learn what it means to seek God and to trust Him. And to listen to His Spirit communicate with ours. Does that mean we sit back and do nothing? No, I don't believe that is what it means either. It is a balance. To pray and create that relationship with Him over everything. To trust that He has my absolute best desire at heart and is going to work all the details out that will be My Story and fit My Journey, even if I don't consider it good, it will be worked out for good.
Maybe you are one of those parents that teach this not only as an example but in instruction in the growing and learning years to your child. I only can tell you, I wasn't taught such things. I have had to learn the hard way.
I am working at not being frustrated with myself for these lessons. Blaming myself doesn't make it easier. Being negative doesn't make the battle go away. Just as a teacher has to reinforce the concepts to us during our years of schooling, I am having to reinforce these principles daily, repeatedly, relentlessly, in my walk.
Some of these lessons will be tests. I will fail. But I pray I learn and that I grow stronger as I develop the character God is building in me.
Psalm 31:14
But I trust in you, Lord; I say, "You are my God." [NIV]
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