day didn't go as planned...

My day didn't go as planned...and even in the midst of great technology services, when you are stuck on the freeway going 0mph, no laptop in the car, your current book you are reading at home (which is something I never go away without because I am one of those planners and you never know what will happen or where you will be sitting and waiting), no knitting in the back seat to spend time getting caught up on, no cheat sheet with you to do manual payroll from your client...and by the way at 4.30pm in the afternoon when you are fatigued beyond words and so wish you could curl up and fall asleep right there in your comfy car...what do you do?  Well...you talk on the phone...you send text messages...you check email...you post on Facebook that you are going 0mph on the freeway for 45minutes and counting...and you pray.  You pray for patience, that you wait this inconvenience out that has hindered you getting home to finish client work.  You pray for the things that are on your mind.  You pray for those you love.  You pray for those that are obviously in the wreck ahead of you.  You pray...many prayers.  Seriously though, there is only so much talking on the phone, text messaging, email checking and Facebooking you can do...LOL!  


I felt so unproductive and so tired...but I ended up being so grateful I didn't fall asleep in my car.  Why?  You see, I was in the middle lane and the lanes on both sides of me were moving...we weren't.  I finally seized a gap in the fast lane and moved over.  When we finally got moving more and I rolled past the truck that was in the middle lane going nowhere, guess what I found, the driver was sacked out asleep!!!  No Joke!!!  Someone should have gotten out and woken him up because I guarantee you when he woke up, he would have been embarrassed, on top of the fact that he was creating a major road hazzard!  But sitting still for that long with the Texas sun blazing on your face, who wouldn't want to just go to sleep???


But having said that, I am grateful that I was okay and not involved in a wreck, let alone one that was a fatality...seeing things like that, always make you appreciate another day to live, no matter the circumstances, no matter how much life is hard for you, no matter how much of an inconvenience it is.

You never know what your day will bring forth...another reason I vow to be ALWAYS prepared! ...and today, I really wasn't prepared.

verse to reflect on...

The LORD is good,

a refuge in times of trouble.

He cares for those who trust in him. 

...Nahum 1:7 (NIV)

prayers...please

My friends, I need your prayers.  


Life has been hard for me of late.  There are days I feel I am coping, managing with Gods strength, learning more of my limitations and how to say no...and there are days I feel I am completely falling apart.  Without going into all the details, the critical problem is that I am having some major fatigue.  Hours of sleeplessness when my body should be sleeping.  There are known medical issues that are hormone related, but I must await (for me it is a very long and difficult wait of 6weeks) for the results of extensive blood work and other tests done.  It is an exercise in patience and trying to continue to find things that help me cope until my follow-up appointment scheduled the 1st week in July.  If you think of me during the day, will you pray for me?  It has been 2 1/2 months like this and I am loosing heart.  My doctor has been very helpful in the past and I hope that resolution can be made soon!  I know everyone has suggestions...please, right now, all I need or want is prayers.

Quotes

Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort.  - John Ruskin

reflections on today's message...

You must worship in Spirit and in Truth.  Not just Spirit. Not just Truth.  Both...the divine Spirit of God along with a verifiable or indisputable fact, proposition or principal.  Truth is honesty and integrity.


Do you put true dedication into your Spiritual Life, like what you are putting into other things?  This really got me thinking.  We put so much time into the everyday happenings in life...just to live, but to we put the same intense focus on the spiritual aspect?


What is going on with your Spirit?  Be Lead by the Spirit.


(italics are my thoughts)

Quotes

Clear out obstacles in your runway. 
- Jon Acuff

verse to reflect on...

What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. ... By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

Hebrews 11:1,3 (NLT)

Quotes

You only gain clarity proportional to the distractions you're willing to eliminate.

verse to reflect on...

…though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again… Proverbs 24:16a (NIV)
In getting up, we can apologize and ask for forgiveness. In getting up, we can choose to try again with our kids, in our jobs, in our ministries, in our marriages, and in all of our mistakes. Because we trust that although we fall, God will help us up. 

Quotes

"You can't have a better tomorrow if you're thinking about yesterday."

- Charles Kettering, Inventor

things that spoke to me today...

Do you ever have those moments during the day that things just reach out and grab your attention?  I know we all truly have our own moments of experiencing them.  I post thoughts throughout the day on Facebook, but not all of you follow me there and of course, Facebook doesn't really allow for the blogging style of thoughts, so I have decided to share some of these incidents that happen because I think you will walk away encouraged too!


I have been going for a walk each morning around the track at The Brick, this recreation center not too far from my house.  I have been doing this faithfully for 6 weeks, maybe even nearly two months now, 3-7 times a week depending on my schedule.  I always try to go first thing in the morning as if I don't, the day will get away from me and I will let work take over and not do the things I need to do for myself.  I am starting to see results and it is encouraging to keep on because I know my body needs it.  It is also amazing how it clears your mind and the quiet time each day is something I look forward to!  I am not doing any large amount of walking, just the one mile track around this place and the walk there and back which makes it about a mile and a half.  


Well today, I got started 30minutes later than I normally like to be out there and as I was briskly walking down the path, about 1/4 mile into my walk, I was merging with a lady on it who was walking her dog.  She was full of energy, bursting with joy and she wanted to share it. She said "How are you on this beautiful morning that God has created?"  I said, "I am blessed."  I thought that would be it, so I kept walking, but she didn't stop. She went on to tell me that "God is good. People don't believe it, but he is very good.  Let me tell you, I had a benign brain tumor removed last November and the doctor's didn't think I would be able to see out of one of my eyes, maybe ever talk or walk again, for sure not have a normal life, but God had other plans for me.  He is better than even these highly skilled doctors in Fort Worth!"  I am thinking...wow, this lady is really wanting to share how she is so grateful for what God has done for her.  Why am I not like that, with an utter stranger?   Yah, I am with friends, but just people I meet in my path throughout the day, no, I don't do that!  I told her, "You know, you are absolutely correct.  God has a plan and He works that plan and people just don't believe like they need to.  He is very gracious to each of us and we are very blessed."  She was walking much slower than me and she said she didn't want to keep me from "beating the path" (her words to describe my brisk walking) but we exchanged names and I told her that I hoped I ran into her again, and I went on my way.  As I walked, I kept thinking...I know God has a plan.  A plan for my life.  Why am I not believing it right now?  Why am I caught up in these health issues I am having right now? Why am I letting it discourage me and have me loose heart?  Why am I frustrated with some results of business and turn of events?  Why am I not giving all of this to Him COMPLETELY to handle?  I know better.  God is good.  I know this!  Tears.  An open heart to realize I have not been where I needed to be.  Thank You Cheryl for reminding me...God Is Good!  I thought about this lady named Cheryl several times throughout the day...I hope I see her again!  If I could have walked leisurely with her, I would have, but I was pressed to get my walk in and get a shower and head to Garland for a consultation appointment with a client, so I couldn't do what I wanted to do...so here is hoping that we run into each other again.


That was the first incident of the day.


My second was with my Client.  We had our Consulting session and then she took me to lunch at a Mexican restaurant around the corner from her office.  We spent some time getting to know each other and explaining how we started our businesses.  She is older than me and has children about 10years younger than me.  She was very kind and shared with me a nugget that I will not forget!  I shared with her my biggest struggle in business: Knowing how much to network and market my business vs actually perform work vs continue to research things to add to bring value to my clients vs the amount of time dedicated to learning technology solutions in an ever changing healthcare environment (of course this is an abridged version of how I elaborated on it - LOL).  Her response:  Misty, take time out to listen to your heart and cultivate your dream and God will show you what to do.  (She didn't say it in those plain words, but that was the message.)


This was the second incident of the day.


Then the day ended with one of my fellow board members calling to check on me because I missed yesterday's meeting, intentionally, but I have only missed two other times since I started going to the group in September 2010.  I am having some physical issues and not managing life very well and I had to skip.  I need to get a grip and refocus.  He is a believer and was sharing with me some thoughts of encouragement.  He said Misty, do you want the easy answer or the hard answer?  I said Keith, the answer is that I need to trust God more, because He has a plan for my life even if my well laid out plans, goals and dreams are not His plan, He has never let me down and He won't let me down now either.  He said, Exactly..that is what I was going to tell you, that is the answer.  That is the easy answer and at the same time, the hard answer.  Sometimes it is easy for us to trust God.  Other times we struggle and fight and can't give it up to Him to handle.  This is our lifelong battle.  Trust God!


Wow...several ways God spoke to me today...how about you?

verse to reflect on...

Live in harmony with each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!

- Romans 12:16 (NLT)

a weekend of relaxing...

I took this Holiday weekend off from work...all three days...no work, no business work. I did whatever I wanted to do.  If that was nothing, I did nothing.  If that was sleep, I slept.  I f that was reading, knitting, playing the piano, lounging by the pool or working on a project around the house, I did that!  It is hard for me to say No to Work, especially when I have lots to do and am not current with it.  But I said No.  I kept my promise to myself.  I did No Work All Weekend!  I did something each day, Friday - Monday, with Michelle.  I also got all the trim primed on the 3 new windows put in my office and the other trim around the windows replaced in my whole house 2 years ago done.  I still have the final coat to do, but one step has been accomplished!  I feel more rested...and ready to refocus the month of June on my business and come up with my new game plan.


What did you do this weekend?

What I Know for Sure by Ophra

We all are called...we all have a calling.  Your real job in life is to figure out what that is and get to business doing it!  Live from the heart of yourself.  What sparks the life in you?  Illuminate the world!  Each one of you has your own platform...where ever you are.  Let your life speak for you!  You will receive in direct portion to what you give.  We all have the same power.  Listen.  Help.  Forgive.  Everyone is called.  Embrace the life that is calling you!


 - Ophra

Quotes

Minds are like parachutes, they function only when open.   – Anonymous

Quotes

You do too much. Go and do nothing for a while. Nothing.  ― Lillian Hellman

verse to reflect on...

"If any of you wants to be my follower," he told them, "you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life."   Mark 8:34-35 (NLT)

offering assistance vs asking for help

Some of you know that Roseann M fell last Tuesday when she was painting her barn.  The ladder slipped out away from the wall and there was nothing she could do even though she was hoping she could ride it down or jump off or something.  No such luck.  She was on the concrete in nothing flat.  She had just begun to start the painting session that day and hadn't gotten very far.  She was painting up the second half of the wall, just above the barn doors heading up the 2nd story.  She ended up with injuries to her right eye and right knee and landed in the hospital for 3 days total while having emergency surgery on her knee.  Anyways...when I had heard of the accident, I wrote her an email and told her I was sorry, wanted to come see her in the hospital but that that was probably bad timing, and what could I do to help??? Well yesterday when I got to my car after meeting and checked my Droid Incredible for emails, I had an email from her.  She said that Steve was about exhausted with caring for her and could I please come help?  I quickly responded Absolutely...I was just leaving the meeting hall, would go get something to eat and be on my way...did she need any supplies or anything that I could pick up?  She needed stuff to make kombucha and I got that on my way.


When I got there we chatted for a little bit and then I did some chores (vacuumed, mopped and made kombucha - with her help as she sat at the bar and gave me instructions and she filled some of the bottles as I maneuvered around the kitchen)...but the reason for my post is this...I have had some thoughts about offering assistance vs asking for help after this event yesterday.


I typically, probably like some of you, feel that I am single and that is nobody else's problem that I have no man to help me and need to try to do things on my own and figure it out.  I know I am capable so I try to do it all.  Sometimes to the point of appearing like I am superwoman when I feel like anything but!  In reflecting, I think sometimes this attitude probably makes people not offer to help me.  I asked Roseann if she got lots of offers to help and she said she had.  She said "you know Misty, when I offer to help someone, I mean it, so I decided I would make a list of everyone that offered and I would take them up on it.  If someone says, oh I can't today, then I will try them another day.  If they make excuses, then I will know they really don't want to help and I will move on to the next person."  This short little conversation spoke volumes to me.  First, when I see a need, do I offer to help?  When I offer to help, do I mean it?  Do I have an attitude of giving, no matter the time of day, no matter the duty, no matter what is needed?  I believe I only offer when I can and think I always have that attitude, but it is a good reminder for your yes to be yes and your no to be no, so don't offer to help if you don't plan to follow thru.  It also was a good point to not let other people's lives get to you.  Ask for help, be willing to reach out and take the help from those who have offered and if they can't help you or don't want to help you when you ask, move on to the next person.  There is another willing and loving person there to give of themselves!  Roseann was in a point of need, much need, and she knew it, so asking for help came pretty easy because things are simply not going going to get done if she doesn't have some help.  But I know sometimes for me, it is hard to ask for help...but if I am in a point of "need" why?  It takes teamwork and all of us helping each other along the way to be successful, so why do we feel bad asking for help?  Why do we feel we are putting someone else out when in reality we are all supposed to be giving and helping???


Pray for Steve...he is having to do a lot that he is not used to doing and I am sure it is tough on him, just in a different way!  He fixed us an incredible meal last night though!!!


Share with me your thoughts on offering assistance vs asking for help...

Quotes

When you don't know what to do, do the thing in front of you.   - Elisabeth Elliott

verse to reflect on...

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4 (NIV)

what is a Friend to you?

I have been doing some thinking on what a Friend is to me.  What is one to you?  I have posted on this topic before, here and here and here.  But the question still comes up in my mind.  I am always working on my friendship, thinking about what I like about them, what needs improvement and how I can be a better friend.  


Friendships take work.  Friendships take commitment.  Friendships take time.  Friendships take honesty.  Friendships are a give and take.  Friendships take communication.


Are you committed to your friends?  Are friends just family?  Just people that reach out to you?  Do you communicate in your friendships or assume the person knows?  or understands?  Are you willing to be honest?  


There are a few verses (KJV) that come to mind, I am sure there are many more:
...and my familiar friends have forgotten me.  Job 19:14
And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends. Job 42:10
...and a whisperer separateth chief friends.  Proverbs 16:28
...but he that repeateth a matter sperarateth very friends. Proverbs 17:9
A friend loveth at all times.  Proverbs 17:17
A man that hath friends must show himself friendly.  Proverbs 18:24
Weath maketh many friends.  Proverbs 19:4
Faithful are the wounds of a friend. Proverbs 27:6
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.  Proverbs 27:17
Trust ye not in a friend.  Micah 7:5
Go home to they friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.  Mark 5:19
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
You are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you.  John 15:14
...and he was called the friend of God.  James 2:23
...whosoever shall be a friend of the world shall be an enemy of God.  James 4:4


I am going to contemplate on this some more, but am curious what a friend is to you.  If you are willing to share, comment below!