Do You Like Parties?

Do you like to have pity parties? Unfortunately, I send myself an invitation quiet frequently and almost always RSVP. What's not to love? You're the guest of honor, you can dress however you would like, and nobody will ruin your party. If you really want to have a blast, add candy and a sad movie. Last week, I threw a Big Bash for myself. Come on, I know I'm not the only one who does this. I was having an unusually bad hair day. I want a style that is easy and does not require hairspray. It's probably not going to happen this side of heaven. I was feeling lonely and really missing my family that all live 800 miles away. I was dreading putting on another shirt that had Lake City Bowl stamped on it. I had no desire whatsoever to go to work with a smile that had to be surgically removed. Somehow I managed to muttle through the day (poor me). Then I was annoyed because I had to go to both sides of Walmart to get what I needed. Of course, I would have to be friendly to people that I came in contact with. When I finally came to my senses, a still small voice (Holy Spirit) spoke deep down inside. He said someone would love to be you. I don't mean that in a prideful way because He kept speaking. If I was having a bad hair day, I had hair. I was missing my family but families are sending their loved ones to war everyday and not sure of their return. If I was putting on a work shirt, I have a job. Also if we have customers, who are also our friends, then God is blessing our business. If I could go to both sides of Walmart and greet people then I could walk and talk. So I think from now on, I will do my best not to attend my pity parties no matter how many invitations I get. We are God's children and He wants the best for us. Just like when we give our children things and they concentrate more on what they don't have. It makes you want to strangle their little necks. We serve a loving and merciful God and His word says that He knows the plans He has for us, to prosper us and not harm us. Let's start thanking Him for what we have and watch Him move.

BE A BLESSING

DO YOU HAVE A NEED? IF NOT, PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU ONE OF MINE. I WAS IN MY CLOSET THIS MORNING AND GOD STARTING SPEAKING. I THINK HE DOES THAT TO SEE IF I'M LISTENING AND HOW I WILL RESPOND. AS I LOOKED UP AND SAW A CHRISTMAS PRESENT THAT HAD NEVER BEEN USED, I REALIZED THAT SOMEONE MIGHT ENJOY HAVING THAT. WELL, IT SNOWBALLED FROM THERE. I GOT INTO RUMMAGE SALE MODE. I WASN'T GOING TO SELL MY THINGS BUT TRY TO FIND SOMEONE WHO COULD USE THE STUFF THAT OBVIOUSLY I WAS NOT IN NEED OF. IT HAD TO BE GOD BECAUSE I'M NOT THAT SHARP. HERE'S THE COOL THING, IF WE MEET THE NEEDS OF OTHERS, OUR NEEDS WILL BE MET. ALSO YOU CANNOT HAVE YOUR MIND ON YOUR PROBLEMS WHILE YOU ARE CONCENTRATING ON WAYS TO BLESS PEOPLE. THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO GIVE TO OTHERS. IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE MATERIAL THINGS. FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU WANT FRIENDS, BE A GOOD FRIEND. IF YOU NEED ENCOURAGEMENT, ENCOURAGE OTHERS. IF YOU WANT BROWNIES, BAKE SOME FOR SOMEONE ELSE. I HAD TO THROW THAT IN BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT CHOCOLATE IS THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD. I PERSONALLY THINK I WILL GIVE AWAY KNEE HIGHS BECAUSE I HAVE RUNS IN ALL OF MINE. WITH OUR COUNTRY IN THE SHAPE IT'S IN, NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS. LET'S NOT LIVE IN FEAR BECAUSE THE WORD SAYS THAT YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW AND GOD IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER. KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS OPEN AND OPPORTUNITIES WILL COME YOUR WAY.

JOY STEALERS

Are you frazzled, frustrated and fed-up? Do you get up everyday and do the same thing expecting different results? We as humans do the same thing and expect either those around us or our circumstances to change. Well, wakey, wakey, the chances of that happening are slim and none. That means that in order for our lives to be different, we are the ones who have to initiate change. I have found that some easy steps can bring some much needed joy to our otherwise day to day life. Please understand that happy and joy do not mean the same thing. On this side of heaven, we will probably not ever be completely happy because life has tribulation but joy can give you hope to be content in the situations not for them. For instance if you always feel rushed, allow just 10 more minutes for the tasks ahead. Have you noticed that if you are running behind, it seems like everybody is driving 20 miles an hour. Well, if they are it's because they looked in their rearview mirror and saw a minivan maniac behind them. Also, I promise you they do not adjust the traffic lights to stay red longer on the days you're in a hurry. I heard a long time ago that poor planning on our part does not equal an emergency on everybody else's. If you do arrive at your destination without having an accident, how many did you cause? I think life has convinced us that we can't make it without doing everything, going everywhere, and having everything. At the first of the year, I made some small changes that have changed my life. I started having my time (an hour a day). I have to get up an hour early (ouch) adjust to fit your schedule. I stopped doing everything everybody wanted me to and I put God first, my husband and son (in that order) second, then mininstry or giving to others. Try to make a few small changes. Your flesh may think you are killing it and you are but the results will astound you. Even those that think they can't make changes, I speak favor over you to find a little joy in every day. The joy of the Lord is our Strength. If you're feeling weak, check your joy tank.

SLOW DOWN

Ladies, I think we should start the tortoise movement. That may sound a little odd but you know God has a sense of humor because he told me to slow down and referred me to the Tortoise and the Hare. Remember that wonderful cartoon before SpongeBob took over. I looked it up on YOUTUBE and studied it for a while. It spoke volumes to me. The tortoise got up the day of the race and he was not a bit stressed. I'm sure he didn't fret over which shell to wear or if he had prepared enough. Then he comes out and politely greets his opponent who just disses him like he was nothing. He got a late start but that didn't defer him at all. He got moving and met up with a few snails to run along side. The Hare of course had run ahead but stopped for a rest. When the tortoise got by, the Hare flew by but the Tortoise was unharmed because he had a protective shell. At the end, the Tortoise had to pull out all of his resources and stick his neck out to win. I know you're thinking what in the world does that have to do with us. Well I think we could learn a lesson from the old Tortoise. He got up everyday with complete confidence in who he was. He treated others with an unconditional love regardless of their reaction. He took time to spend a few minutes with those around him. When the wind got to strong, he retreated to a safe place and last but not least, he stuck his neck out to cross the finish line. It almost seems like to me that he just believed the best and enjoyed life. Jesus came that we may have and enjoy our lives. So slow down and be secure in a ever changing world that the Lord never changes.