This weekend was the Minister's Conference at our church. About 170 minister's were there to receive encouragement and motivation. One of things that my Dad spoke about was doing what you were called to do and stop trying to do what someone else is called to do. He said the phrase, "Sing the song that is in your range." A phrase that I will be stealing from here on out... How brilliant is that? So many times, we look at other people, their life, their situation, their calling and we try to do just what they are doing when God has called us to do something else entirely. Now, if what someone is doing happens to be what God has called you to also, it will work out for you because even though someone else is already singing that song, you can sing it too, as long as it is in your range. Such brilliance!!!
Tonight, that phrase was made new to me in a whole new way. I already told you about our weight watchers group in my last blog. However, it has grown... considerably! A few people read my last blog and asked to join, then a couple heard about from a friend at work and joined. Anyway, it has become a great place to encourage each other and give ideas of food and vent when we are starving! As these last couple of weeks have passed by, different ones are beginning to post their weight loss. I love this because it is so encouraging. I'm so glad that I have gotten to post! Tonight, however, a couple other women in the group have lost more than I have. Immediately, the enemy wanted to steal the joy of my own progress because it wasn't as good as someone else's... Then, I was reminded... Sing the Song that is in YOUR range... not someone else's! Every looses weight as a different speed because everyone's bodies are different. The activity level is different. They way food is processed is different... This is ok. We simply cannot go through life comparing our success and failures to someone else. Life will never seem worth living if we do. Someone will ALWAYS out do us! Or seemingly so...
The only person I need to compare my self with is the version of me that God wants me to be. Did I do my best? Could I give more? Could I do more? What can I change to make things better? And there it is... Doing what I can to stay within my range. I am not going to live my life trying to sing someone else's song. I'm going to sing my song, in my range and do it to the very best of my ability. Progress should not be measured by asking the question, "Am I different than I was a week ago?" NO! True success, success that lasts should be measured by asking the question, "Am I different than I was a year ago? Two years ago?" That is progress. That is forward motion. That is success that lasts... Ultimately... That is a beautiful song being sung in my range!
Here's to... us... singing our song, in our range!
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Lesson Taught... Still learning
I have failed. I hate it when that happens. I hate it more when I feel compelled to be honest about it. Maybe we should start from the beginning...
Last week, we lost one of our campers to the flu. It was a shock to the beautiful family. The little girl who went to be with Jesus was a beautiful girl who loved Brookhill. She has a sister who David and I both know. We found out where the funeral was a decided that it was important for us to attend. So, yesterday, we boarded a plane to Dallas at 6:30 am and attended one of the most beautiful funerals I have ever been to. Her dad spoke with such strength. He talked about the goodness of God even in the midst of this trial. It was encouraging to witness this family find a way to make sure that God received praise.
After the funeral was over, we headed back to the airport. On the way to the airport, I got a call from my husband telling me that my son had woken up with a fever and so he had taken him to the Dr. At the Dr's office, he tested positive for the flu.... this is where I failed... my New Years Resolution was to be positive. No matter what came my way, I wanted the first words out of mouth, whenever faced with difficulty, to be positive. Well, when I was told about my son having the flu, my first thoughts were negative. I allowed fear to grip my heart and take over my thoughts.
The most frustrating thing about this whole thing is that I know better. I know God is in charge. I know He has His hand on mine and my families lives. I understand completely that He looks after our health. So why isn't my first response one of faith? Why doesn't my mind trust what my heart knows? There is nothing to great for Him. Nothing catches Him off guard. He is sovereign and His plans succeed.
Once I got home and saw my son, my heart was put at ease. He is a trooper and not much phases him. We have held his fever at bay with Tylenol and Motrin and his spirits are as good as ever. The Lord always shows himself strong and I'm always overwhelmed by His obvious hand. I am disappointed that my "in the moment" reaction isn't what it should be.
So, the conclusion of the matter is this... I shall continue to work on getting what I know to be true in my heart to match the words coming out of my mouth.
Last week, we lost one of our campers to the flu. It was a shock to the beautiful family. The little girl who went to be with Jesus was a beautiful girl who loved Brookhill. She has a sister who David and I both know. We found out where the funeral was a decided that it was important for us to attend. So, yesterday, we boarded a plane to Dallas at 6:30 am and attended one of the most beautiful funerals I have ever been to. Her dad spoke with such strength. He talked about the goodness of God even in the midst of this trial. It was encouraging to witness this family find a way to make sure that God received praise.
After the funeral was over, we headed back to the airport. On the way to the airport, I got a call from my husband telling me that my son had woken up with a fever and so he had taken him to the Dr. At the Dr's office, he tested positive for the flu.... this is where I failed... my New Years Resolution was to be positive. No matter what came my way, I wanted the first words out of mouth, whenever faced with difficulty, to be positive. Well, when I was told about my son having the flu, my first thoughts were negative. I allowed fear to grip my heart and take over my thoughts.
The most frustrating thing about this whole thing is that I know better. I know God is in charge. I know He has His hand on mine and my families lives. I understand completely that He looks after our health. So why isn't my first response one of faith? Why doesn't my mind trust what my heart knows? There is nothing to great for Him. Nothing catches Him off guard. He is sovereign and His plans succeed.
Once I got home and saw my son, my heart was put at ease. He is a trooper and not much phases him. We have held his fever at bay with Tylenol and Motrin and his spirits are as good as ever. The Lord always shows himself strong and I'm always overwhelmed by His obvious hand. I am disappointed that my "in the moment" reaction isn't what it should be.
So, the conclusion of the matter is this... I shall continue to work on getting what I know to be true in my heart to match the words coming out of my mouth.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
New Year
Well, it's a new year! I am excited about this year and all that it holds. As I take a moment and reflect on this past year I am overwhelmed by the hand of the Lord on my life. My family has walked in health, we have been blessed, we have been able to do all that the Lord has called us to do... Life just doesn't get much better than this!
I heard a pastor say this past week, "Just because someone is prosperous, doesn't mean they are blessed." Man did that ring true! I know people who are prospering but their life doesn't seem to be blessed. I am so honored to be able to say that this family is walking in abundant blessings!
I have learned many lessons this past year but beginning a new year is about what I can improve on. I have 2 major areas that I have set as goals for this year. I feel like it is so important to have a direction because if you don't have a direction, how do you know where you are going? I want to be some place differently this time next year and in order to do that, I need a plan.
Goal 1:
Although my quest for health is on going, I make a pledge to push myself farther. I have been Vegan now for a year and half. I can honestly say that I though I would see more changes than I have and part of me is disappointed for the lack of weight loss. On the other hand, how could I be disappointed with the health results? So, I find myself in a strange situation. I don't feel as though I have failed but at the very same time, I don't feel as though I have succeeded either. Even though my health has greatly improved, I can still make changes for the better. So, in order to achieve that goal, I had to make a plan. A group of friends and I have joined together and signed up for weight watchers. I am giving it all I have and hopefully, the accountability and determination will produce the results I'm looking for. My commitment to my health is stronger not weaker. We are a spiritual being having a human experience, as John Grey put it. I understand that my body is just temple for my spirit man to dwell in. My body still has to be able to do all that God has called me to do and fulfill every moment of His plan for my life. I must keep it strong enough and healthy enough to do so.
Goal 2:
I have been reminded, once again, that what we say, matters. It matters what we say to other people. It matters what we say about other people. Words have power. They make a difference. We were at our Christmas staff party and one member of our staff complimented another member by saying that he was the most positive person she had ever been around. She said that she has never heard a negative word come out of his mouth. When she said that, it hit me like a ton of bricks. That was it! My New Years Resolution. To speak positively. I don't consider myself a negative person but I am a dramatic person. I tend to dramatize everything. That makes me a good story teller but it also puts a amplifier on the positives and negatives in my life. It is my goal to watch what I say very carefully and to make sure that the words that come out of my mouth are positive and encouraging.
There it is. Simple and yet time consuming. It takes a lot of effort to filter every single word and a lot of time watching every bite I put in my mouth. People often don't make changes in their life because it takes so much work. It's much easier to stay the same way and keep doing the same thing. I have just noticed that if you do the same thing and staying the same way, then you will get the same results. I don't want the same results. I want different results. I want to loose a little weight so I have to work hard to change my habits that are producing results I don't want! I want to be a positive person I want people to know that they can come around me and be encouraged and uplifted. In order to make that happen, I have to put effort into filtering every word. Is it work? YES! Will I get different results? YES!
It is my prayer that as you enter this new year and have the opportunity to look back over your life and the decisions you have made the course that those decisions have put you on, that you have the strength to change what needs to be changed. Changing is hard but we are called to life as Christ lived. We are made in His image and we are purposed to live a life that worthy of the calling He has placed on us. How best can you accomplish that? What changes do you need to make to be found worthy of His calling? I pray you have an very Happy New Year. I look forward to sharing with you the milestones I have crossed and the challenges I have overcome.
I heard a pastor say this past week, "Just because someone is prosperous, doesn't mean they are blessed." Man did that ring true! I know people who are prospering but their life doesn't seem to be blessed. I am so honored to be able to say that this family is walking in abundant blessings!
I have learned many lessons this past year but beginning a new year is about what I can improve on. I have 2 major areas that I have set as goals for this year. I feel like it is so important to have a direction because if you don't have a direction, how do you know where you are going? I want to be some place differently this time next year and in order to do that, I need a plan.
Goal 1:
Although my quest for health is on going, I make a pledge to push myself farther. I have been Vegan now for a year and half. I can honestly say that I though I would see more changes than I have and part of me is disappointed for the lack of weight loss. On the other hand, how could I be disappointed with the health results? So, I find myself in a strange situation. I don't feel as though I have failed but at the very same time, I don't feel as though I have succeeded either. Even though my health has greatly improved, I can still make changes for the better. So, in order to achieve that goal, I had to make a plan. A group of friends and I have joined together and signed up for weight watchers. I am giving it all I have and hopefully, the accountability and determination will produce the results I'm looking for. My commitment to my health is stronger not weaker. We are a spiritual being having a human experience, as John Grey put it. I understand that my body is just temple for my spirit man to dwell in. My body still has to be able to do all that God has called me to do and fulfill every moment of His plan for my life. I must keep it strong enough and healthy enough to do so.
Goal 2:
I have been reminded, once again, that what we say, matters. It matters what we say to other people. It matters what we say about other people. Words have power. They make a difference. We were at our Christmas staff party and one member of our staff complimented another member by saying that he was the most positive person she had ever been around. She said that she has never heard a negative word come out of his mouth. When she said that, it hit me like a ton of bricks. That was it! My New Years Resolution. To speak positively. I don't consider myself a negative person but I am a dramatic person. I tend to dramatize everything. That makes me a good story teller but it also puts a amplifier on the positives and negatives in my life. It is my goal to watch what I say very carefully and to make sure that the words that come out of my mouth are positive and encouraging.
There it is. Simple and yet time consuming. It takes a lot of effort to filter every single word and a lot of time watching every bite I put in my mouth. People often don't make changes in their life because it takes so much work. It's much easier to stay the same way and keep doing the same thing. I have just noticed that if you do the same thing and staying the same way, then you will get the same results. I don't want the same results. I want different results. I want to loose a little weight so I have to work hard to change my habits that are producing results I don't want! I want to be a positive person I want people to know that they can come around me and be encouraged and uplifted. In order to make that happen, I have to put effort into filtering every word. Is it work? YES! Will I get different results? YES!
It is my prayer that as you enter this new year and have the opportunity to look back over your life and the decisions you have made the course that those decisions have put you on, that you have the strength to change what needs to be changed. Changing is hard but we are called to life as Christ lived. We are made in His image and we are purposed to live a life that worthy of the calling He has placed on us. How best can you accomplish that? What changes do you need to make to be found worthy of His calling? I pray you have an very Happy New Year. I look forward to sharing with you the milestones I have crossed and the challenges I have overcome.
Here's to a great 2014
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