will not forget God...

not forget God.

Do you sometimes feel like you're an amazing (but failing) acrobat or juggler? You're trying to maneuver your life into so many directions or keep a ton of things up in the air (praying that you don't drop any of them)? I feel that way sometimes. That's when I know that I've taken on too much and I've deluded myself into thinking I'm in charge of everything. I've forgotten to stay focused on God and allow His power and grace to steer my life. If you're juggling and hustling today - stop. Remember the power that's with you, God, and let Him take over. No one is more capable or caring. If you remember Him, He will be there for you.

So, for today I will not forget God. He will keep me balanced and intervene where needed so my life doesn't come crashing down around me. I can't juggle all these things alone. I need His hands to take control.

do something special...

do something special - just for me! It's time to re-energize, refocus, and renew yourself.

It's very important to think about and care for others. We were put on this earth for the purpose of serving others just as Jesus served us. We need to have open hearts and generous spirits to do this well. And many people day in and day out make the time and effort to do for others. It's those people who also often go overboard and forget to take care of themselves as well. We need energy and enthusiasm to do good works and it's o.k. once in a while to just stop and do something special for yourself. Maybe it's having a long hot bubble bath, maybe a massage, maybe a round of golf, maybe sitting outside with a glass of wine watching the sunset, having your favorite take out - there's something that you regard as a luxury in your life. It doesn't have to be a luxury that costs anything, it can be the luxury to splurge on yourself in terms of time and activity. So, if you consistently and conscientiously do for others and strive to grow and glow in your walk of faith, take some time today to rejuvenate.

So, for today I will do something special that's just for me. I will focus a little bit of attention on myself today and re-energize and thank God for blessing me.

apologize...

apologize. I will seek out someone I have hurt or wronged and I will apologize.

To free myself of something in the past that I haven't forgotten, I will apologize. I will do my best to be a better person and claim my wrongs. It may not make the situation all better - it may do nothing at all - it may be long forgotten by the other person - but to free myself and do the right thing, I will take this step. Life is too short to be imprisoned by the past. Don't stay captured by actions that were made in frustration, stupidity, desperation, anger or foolishness. Take responsibility, say, "I'm sorry" and let it go.

So, for today I will apologize and then forgive myself because God forgives. If my heart and mind and soul are in the right place and I mean what I say, God will know that too.

say "hello"...

say, "hello".

Out of the blue I will send a note, a text, an email, a voice message, or a card to someone I care about. I will make only one simple line and send it right away. I will simply say, "I was thinking of you so I wanted to say "hello" and "I love you." And I will not ask them to pass it on to 500 friends in order to receive good luck! I will not expect anything in return. If my note goes unacknowledged, that's o.k. I am not doing this for me, I am doing it for that person. My desire will only be to remind that person that they are special enough to be remembered. You never know if someone else is feeling low or forgotten, hurt or distressed, overwhelmed or under appreciated. Your "hello" may be all they need to make it through the day. Your "hello" may be an answer to their prayer.

So, for today I will say "hello" to bless someone with love the way God blesses me with unexpected, undeserved, unending love.

know it's never too late...

know it's never too late. "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Have you ever heard that line? Well it's not true for God.

The strongest hope and joy that I have for myself and all the people I love and pray for in this world is knowing that it's never too late to give your heart to God. Over and over and over I hear people saying, "that person will never change." Or, "it doesn't matter what I say or do, he/she doesn't listen and they'll never understand." Well, that sense of hopelessness is because as humans, we are limited. We have weaknesses, distractions, and we give up.....God doesn't. God has unlimited powers, but we forget that when we see someone faltering or so far removed from Him that we're distraught over their salvation (or lack of it). But again, that's because our eyes, our hearts, our minds and our efforts have limits. But God's don't!! It's never too late for God to touch that persons heart. He will find a way to speak to them so that they hear. So never give up on Him or them (or on yourself - He may use you as an instrument).

So, for today I will know that it's never too late. Never too late for God to touch and change someone - including me! I will pray for an open heart, open mind and willingness to accept an amazing love that will change everything. And then I will be patient as God does His work.

reflect then decide...

reflect then decide. We live in a "quick" world. Everything seems to require immediate action and reaction - but not today.

We all have something big we are facing. For each of us it may be a different issue, but a decision is needed. Your decision may alter your day or alter your life, so instead of wanting instant gratification and resolution, for today we should all reflect thoughtfully on what we are facing. Actually weigh the pros and cons. Calmly, patiently and morally examine your choices and decision possibilities and then determine your course. Put the anxiety of rushing to the side, don't make your choices in the heat of anger or despair - take your time, be thoughtful, prayerful - the world will actually wait. We are all capable of making horrible decisions when emotion, drama or desperation raise their ugly heads.

So, for today I will reflect and then decide - and my choice will be the better because of this.

just listen...

just listen. That's it. If someone around you needs to vent, get something off their chest, or just needs to verbally dump their anxieties and worries out loud - today you will just listen.

Listen, absorb, and empathize but don't offer opinions, advise or revelations about what you would have done. In a world full of back-seat drivers and endless points of view, we have forgotten how to just listen and be supportive. We are so ready to offer our advise and what we think is the correct way to handle something. I think we can all admit to doing this. But when we do it, we forget that we're not the one walking in those shoes, we're not made up of the same strengths/weaknesses/characteristics of that other person - so why do we always think that handling it the way "I would" will even work for that person.

So, for today I will just listen. The next time someone needs my ear, I will give them that and nothing else. I will keep my lips zipped and actually absorb what they are saying and more importantly what they are feeling - and I will give support without opinion.

help without conditions...

help without conditions. We all know someone who is need of help. And, we all understand how difficult it can be to ask for help - especially when your situation is a mess and you feel like you've failed or should be able to handle it on your own.

Knowing how difficult it can be to ask for help, how about graciously agreeing to help and pitch in without making it conditional. Become a servant to that friend and just help - no ifs, ands or buts. I guess a pet-peeve of mine is when someone claims that they "are there for you," but only if it doesn't interfere with their desired scheduling. You ask for help because you're in a bind and they say o.k. - and then ask for you five favors in return. Or they say they will help, but only if it can be at this time, in this location, and not last any longer than this amount. Even worse, they make sure to convey what an imposition this will be and how it just ruins their plans for the day but since they want to be the good friend they will sacrifice. That's not helping - it's self-centered and it makes the situation more difficult and stressful for the person in need. If you can't help whole heartedly without reservation and condition, just say no. Don't impose your conditions on the situation and make it about you. Helping is supposed to be about the other person - not you. So put their needs before your own and actually help.

So, for today I will help without conditions. I really put aside my own needs for my friend and with a full heart and a spirit of true giving I will pitch in without setting rules.

praise God during a chore...

praise God during a chore. This sounds strange, but it's a great way to change perspective and attack the task at hand.

You can praise and worship God in every little thing you do. You just have to approach what you're doing from the mind and heart of doing it for Jesus. Actually say to yourself as you start cleaning the house, "God I'm doing this for you. As a thank you for blessing me with a house, instead of getting upset that I have to clean, I will be thankful and grateful that I have a place to keep clean." You can apply this to anything. I found it most effective to apply it to the things I really dislike. Instead of being resentful of them, now I'm mindful of wanting to thank God and praise Him during my daily routine. I actually get through the task in a much better mood, I do a better job, and I'm praising God all at the same time. It's a definite win-win situation. It's not an easy thing to remember every day, but start today by picking one thing. Then keep practicing it whenever you can.

So, for today I will praise God during a chore. I will put my heart and mind in the right place before I even start. This chore is not a burden but an opportunity. I will be glad that I have the ability to perform the task and will thank God for the blessings that are in/surrounded by it.

hug more people...

hug more people. What happened to hugs? Think back. When you were a child didn't you love when someone would give you a big bear hug when they saw you? Or when someone would scoop you up into their arms and hug you after you got hurt? Or even now as adults, the way we can't keep from hugging and kissing little babies whenever we see them. I love hugs.

The hand shake, the fist bump and high-five are all fine, but nothing replaces the genuine affection of a good tight hug. So, stopping slapping hands and start hugging! Stop being too cool or too refined or too professional to hold back. Hug, hug, hug. Show someone genuine caring or concern today. A hug can convey tons of different emotions, so reveal your emotions today instead of repressing them into the condensed version of a hand shake or high-five. Wrap your arms around someone - let them feel your love, protection, safety, confidence, understanding, thoughtfulness or celebration.

So, for today I will hug more people. I will share my emotions with a big, real, strong hug! I will be the arms of Christ and I will wrap that person in affection and comfort. And when I hug that person I will pray that they feel God hugging them too.

fight back...

fight back! I will not grow weak and discouraged when the Devil comes after me trying to distract me and throw me off course. I will see it for what it is - his desperation!!

The devil knows I'm getting stronger, growing closer to God and changing my attitude. The devil is great at disguises too - he comes as negative glum feelings during the day, the quick temper, the nagging voice in your head saying you're not good enough, the lack of hope that things can and will get better. The doubts and fears he creates hurt us and try to break our spirit. But today, with God's grace I will win. Gos is the ultimate source of hope. Look around at everything He has blessed me with!! I will place my trust in God, I will call on the name of Jesus for strength, courage, protection, faith, persistence, and weapons! I am not in this battle alone. I will call on the Lord to fight it with me, to fight it for me. The devil may be tricky, but God cannot be fooled. I will rely on God's wisdom and His voice to rebuke the devil today.

So, for today I will focus my energy on the strength, power, grace and love of Jesus Christ and I will fight back - and win!

let them know I'm a Christian...

let them know I'm a Christian. There's a song from my childhood that says it all. Do the people around you know you're a Christian? Can they tell just by the way you conduct yourself, by your love?

This is the simplest of songs, but holds so much truth and meaning. In a world of tearing down, finding fault and assigning blame; these few lines put the values we should hold dear into perspective...

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,
and we pray that our unity will one day be restored,
and they'll know we are Christians by our love.

We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
and we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride,
and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

So, for today I will let them know I'm a Christian by my love.