I HOPE YOU DANCE

Could I interrupt your day and invite you to the ballroom of life? As you enter, make sure you remove your shoes, leave all your worries behind, and close the door tightly. Imagine yourself in a loose, flowing dress, bare feet, and open space to express yourself anyway you would like. Out of nowhere comes the most beautiful music you have ever heard. All of a sudden, you begin to move to the music and you lose any sense of reality. Pretty soon the stress, worries, and burdens of life seem to disappear and you can feel yourself being energized from the things of the world that drain you. It may last for minutes or hours until you feel the release. You feel more capable of opening the door and facing the tasks at hand. I know you're probably thinking: Who has time for that? My question is: Who doesn't? It's an investment the pays high dividends. Basically it takes no talent at all and you'll only have an audience of One. Just like we like to watch our little children, God likes to see His daughters carefree. Your ballroom may look alot like your car on a lunch break, your shower, or a quiet moment in the morning. It just means anywhere you can sneak a few minutes to be still and calm your mind. The word says there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. I think we could all trade in some mourning for dancing. May God put a song in your heart that causes your feet to move.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

When I turned forty, I could not believe the changes in my body. I'm pretty sure my metabolism stopped completely, I have more doctor appointments then social events, and I have rolls where skin used to be firm. If you have not experienced this yet, just wait it's coming. I'm not trying to be negitive but I think a warning is appropriate in this situation. Through this time, I have learned alot about myself. It has been quite a process but I'm a little thick headed. I had to make a choice to find inner beauty instead of feeding the beast that was taking over my body. You know the one. You can recognize it every time you look in the mirror, try on new clothes, or jump in your mini-van to go to the grocery, which is the highlight of your week. It's that voice deep inside that says, your best days are behind you. Well we are about to tame the beast. Life is full of chapters and we need to know when to turn the page. For one thing, with age brings wisdom and that is a beautiful thing. So shake off all your insecurities and grab today and the future with both hands. I'm not saying that we are not still pretty on the outside but here's true beauty: rock a baby in your arms, visit a shut-in person who's lonely, nurse a child back to health, love, laugh, and live. I think we are truly missing the real meaning of beauty and we need to take off the masks, wash off the make-up, and be radiant because we are created in the image of God. Be free to not have to compete with other ladies and step out of your comfort zone. When you are confident, you can't help but be beautiful. The word says that charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Just ask God, you are His favorite.

LET THE SUNSHINE IN

Let the sunshine in, face it with a grin, OPEN UP YOUR HEART, and let the sunshine in. It's a good thing I can type because I certainly cannot sing. It's been a little rainy in Florida the last couple of days. We need the rain but the absense of sunlight can be down right dreary. My dog doesn't even want to do anything but sleep. Isn't it amazing how our outside influences affect us. Confession time: the weather is not the only thing I've been struggling with. Sometimes for no apparent reason the sunshine in our lives goes away. I am here to tell you that we can put some light in our lives and make darkness flee in fear. It may not change our circumstances but it will change our hearts. How many of us have an issue or issues in our lives that seem to cloud our thinking? Let's see, maybe a financial situation, a sick loved one, a child who is not on a good path, or insecurities about the future. I'm sure there are many more but I only have so much space. Ladies it's time to take a step back, take the load off of your shoulders, and know that help is on the way. If you have done everything that you can to change things around you and it's not changing, make a list and pray for those issues. It is well known that if you write things down, it tends to release you from the burden of carrying them. Once you have released these things, people, or dreams then God can begin to work. The devil wants us to keep it to ourselves so he can drive us crazy with it. Guess what: once you bring light into a situation, it is never completely dark again. The word says that God is light and there is no darkness in Him. He wants to take your burdens and work them out for His good. He loves you and is concerned about what you're concerned about. So, open your heart and let God shine like never before.

MEAN WHAT YOU SAY!

The average woman speaks about 20,000 words a day. Now we can be proud to add to that by texting or e-mailing. We may not be saying anything but we are communicating which is what we do best. Men on the other hand, speak only about 5,000 words a day and that's if there isn't a good sporting event on TV. So, that being the case, we have an awesome opportunity to speak life to those around us. We are so used to saying things because they are a habit or we want to fit in with the crowd. Move over Oprah, we are about to make a mark in this world. We are so easily influenced by what we watch, listen to, and what we let be a part of our lives. Well ladies, WE'VE GOT A NEW ATTITUDE! On purpose, we need to stop and think about what we say and start saying what we mean. For instance, if you are watching what you eat, don't talk about how fat you are. You need to wake up everyday and say I am in good health, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Pretty soon your flesh will get tired of hearing it and get in line with your words. Also for all of us parents, if your kids haven't caused you to have a meltdown, they will. But we are going to chose to speak over them that they are happy, healthy, and successful all the days of their lives. How about Monday morning when you're driving to that job that may not have been your first choice. That's right, we're going to say that we love our job and expect promotion. Look around you everyday and see who you can speak words of encouragement to. If you don't need this word, I do. I need therapy for my tongue. I think there is something to this and we need start today. I speak blessing over each of you precious ladies and grace to starting saying what you mean. The word says that the power of life and death are in the tongue. Speak life into your situations and watch God pour out blessings that you cannot contain.

TICKLE YOUR FUNNY BONE

Bumper sticker: Cheer up! Someday you'll be dead. How many of us are living our lives this way? I grant you, if you concentrate on what is going on in the world today, it may be easy to adopt that mindset. I got a vision of the game of operation and everybodys funny bone was missing. If you are alive you know the game and how it works. Although we know that it is an odd name for a bone, when hit, is anything but funny. It will get your attention and take your mind off of anything else that may be happening at the moment. Are you getting the point? Laughter is the same way. It spreads chemicals through your body that can lift your spirits in an instance. So much for my medical terminology, but even doctors will tell you that at least one (or many more) belly laughs a day is good for your health. If you are convinced that you have nothing to laugh about, here are a few suggestions. Get some old photos out or yearbooks and look at when you thought you looked hot with your hair three feet high and sporting the lastest fashion. Watch some old home videos that at the time didn't seem so funny but years have a way of letting you see things in a different light. Try doing some of the things that used to come easy to you. I tried doing a somersault one time and thought I would have to be in traction for the rest of my life. Try to remember what made you laugh the longest, hardest, and loudest and bring those things back into your life. Instead of letting our minds get clouded with everyday life, try to put happy thoughts in on purpose. We all have a memory that if you just think about it will bring a smile to your face. I have to share mine because I can't think about it without laughing. My grandma, God rest her soul, was using the restroom and the entire toilet fell over sending a gush of water toward the ceiling. We didn't know what had happened and she wouldn't let us in because her pants were still down. She was fine but needless to say she was the hit of the family reunion. Along with precious memories let's make new ones for others to charish throughout the years. If you see someone that needs a smile, give them one of yours. If you can't seem to achieve this on your own, help is on the way. The word says that God will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Our father wants us to be happy. Just ask him and He'll put a smile on your face that has to be surgically removed.

OLD OR OPINIONATED

If you are over 30, you can relate to this: HELP ME, I'M TURNING INTO MY PARENTS! There seems to be an old tradition that needs a little tweeking. We need to try to stand in the gap, the generational gap, that is. Now I must admit that I am annoyed by some younger people but I'm really trying to remember what it was like to be there age. Anyone below 20 qualifies. I was spiritually spanked the other day and decided to try to adopt a new mindset. I don't pretend to understand all the abbreviations, hair colors, clothing styles, etc. But this is what I plan to do. I am going to get involved with our young people and be the best mentor I can. This is going to take time, prayer, and dedication but our youth are worth it. The first thing we need to do is listen. It is so easy to form an adult decision based on what is important to us. When you've worked all day, ran errands, and come home to cook, I know the last thing on your mind is what Susie said about Jane and it got back to her. Come on, you all know the drama we went through. But now that we are mature adults and have it all together (well maybe not) we can only think we wish we had such serious problems. If all we do is bark at the up and coming generation, we are pushing them to find a place to be accepted. Rules without relationship equal rebellion. What I'm not saying is let them do whatever they want. Our biggest problem today is our society is make them happy oriented instead of spending time with them. For instance instead of yelling at them for texting, share with them when it is appropriate to text and when it is not. Let's face it, our children have alot more outside influences then we did. Technology is wonderful but it will never take the place of a kind word, a big hug, or a comment of encouragement. If they are your children, know what they are doing and who there friends are. Keep the door of communication open. My son said he was going to nominate me for the World's Strictist Parent but we talked and laughed because I explained to him that I love him and I want to know what is going on in his life. I think it would be an honor to be nominated for that award. I'm not a perfect parent or even close but I'm learning as I go. Even if you don't have children at home, there are plenty of programs that you can volunteer to make a difference in someone's life. You don't have to look far because they are your neighbors, coworkers, clerks, and waitresses. Someone is looking up to you and needs your advice and leadership. The word says do we have eyes but fail to see and ears but fail to hear. Let's open our eyes, ears, and hearts and make a deposit that we can never withdraw.

YOU ARE PRICELESS

Do you know how special you are? In our busy lives sometimes words go unspoken by the people we charish the most. Or maybe things have been said to us that are stored in our mind that are not true. We are about to get a confidence booster. If we count on other people to make us happy, we'll be very disappointed. So let's turn the tide on this thing. Write down or take inventory of the lives that you touch. Imagine who has been touched by your smile, your hugs, your kind words, and the things that make you who you are. Sometimes we feel like we do alot of giving and don't get much back. Well, my friend in someone's eyes you are everything. You may never know this side of heaven how you changed someone's life. Our "All About Me" society wants us to think that we're just here to make it through life the best we can. News Flash: you are where you are and an influence to the people around you because you have something they need. It's time for us to take the bull by the horns and intentionally be a blessing to those around us. We experience things in life, good and bad, so that we can help others through what they face. I don't know about you, but I don't want my bad experiences to be in vain if I can help someone else either avoid or walk through the same situation. Also, sharing wonderful moments can be so much fun. For instance, empty nesters can share the hopes and fears of that transition. Being a grandparent can only be shared with those that have held a grandchild. Love your spouse, hug your children, call your siblings, and honor your parents. I think the people that get to be around you are pretty lucky. So stand up straight, throw your shoulders back and grab your destiny with both hands. The only thing you can guarantee to be eternal are those God has entrusted you with. The word says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. There is only one you. I see the handprint of God on all of us. Go display His glory through you!