Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do
not know what this is all about.
I have met people who just go from relationship to relationship
without a break in-between, like a bee pollinating a flower. Then, there are
the ones who almost every year or two are at a new church because they found
something wrong. Alternatively, how about the ones that spend no more than 1 or
2 years on a job because they did not like something (I am wondering how they
keep getting these jobs). I still have one more—the one who always starts a new
venture but never commits to finishing anything. All of these have one thing in
common—lack of commitment. On the other hand, maybe you want to call it lack of
endurance. To narrow it down further let us just call it lack of patience. I
admit I am growing in the area of being consistently patient in every area of
my life but I am thankful that I do not just lack patience all together. To be
chronically inpatient I can only imagine would take a toll on anyone’s social
life. They cannot wait in line anywhere and you have to witness firsthand their
grouchiness about it. They cannot teach you anything unless you are the type to
catch-on the first time they show or tell you. In addition, if you are just 5
minutes late to pick them up to go anywhere…let us just say that’s going to be
a very awkward and quiet ride. Therefore, thank God for those who are patient
with you and try your best to be patient with others.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #74
Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do
not know what this is all about.
Imagine…you wake up in the morning and that deceased loved one is on your mind or that enormous bill you have to pay, or that bad breakup. While you are driving—that thought is rearing its head. You try to distract yourself with television or some other form of entertainment and it is as if the thought is screaming, “I’m not going anywhere! I’m still here!!” All day long, this cloud is above your head. You get ready to go to bed at night and still—this tormenting thought is still plaguing your mind. However, for the grace of God…
I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.
12 Who out there has a lust for life?
Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?
13 Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.
14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!
15 God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.
Imagine…you wake up in the morning and that deceased loved one is on your mind or that enormous bill you have to pay, or that bad breakup. While you are driving—that thought is rearing its head. You try to distract yourself with television or some other form of entertainment and it is as if the thought is screaming, “I’m not going anywhere! I’m still here!!” All day long, this cloud is above your head. You get ready to go to bed at night and still—this tormenting thought is still plaguing your mind. However, for the grace of God…
Have you ever been through one of these tumultuous episodes?
Almost makes you want to do something desperate doesn’t it? Many of us have
been there. Times like these make me thankful for the spirit of peace that God
gives when we seek it out. However, what about those who just cannot seem to
find peace with anything in life? That is a very rough way to live, I would
imagine. Yet, many people live unsettled lives on a daily basis. So, if you are
one of those who are blessed to know how to live peaceably, thank God for that
peace. It does not just come naturally. Are you thinking, “I would be thankful for
peace if I knew what it meant to have it. My life hasn’t had much peace.” Well—let
me help you with that:
11 Come,
children, listen closely;I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.
12 Who out there has a lust for life?
Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?
13 Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.
14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!
15 God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.
Psalm 34:11-15 – Message Bible version
(compare it to the King James version if you prefer)
Monday, October 5, 2015
Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #73
Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do
not know what this is all about.
Let's be honest…is there anyone that when you see them coming, something falls in the pit of your stomach? You try to deal peaceably with them but it is a challenge. Now let us reverse that experience. Do you invoke those feelings in anyone? You hope not, right? Me too! I am grateful for the smile that comes across someone’s face when the person sees me. Does it not make a difference? Who wants to approach someone that is wearing a sour look?
Be grateful for the smiles you experience today. Whether it is the cashier serving you in the grocery store, or the smile you can hear in another person’s voice over the telephone. In addition, let us not forget to give someone the same warmth we crave. If you are like me, you may become so absorbed in what you are doing that you are distracted and do not realize how you look.
Let's be honest…is there anyone that when you see them coming, something falls in the pit of your stomach? You try to deal peaceably with them but it is a challenge. Now let us reverse that experience. Do you invoke those feelings in anyone? You hope not, right? Me too! I am grateful for the smile that comes across someone’s face when the person sees me. Does it not make a difference? Who wants to approach someone that is wearing a sour look?
Be grateful for the smiles you experience today. Whether it is the cashier serving you in the grocery store, or the smile you can hear in another person’s voice over the telephone. In addition, let us not forget to give someone the same warmth we crave. If you are like me, you may become so absorbed in what you are doing that you are distracted and do not realize how you look.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #72
Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do
not know what this is all about.
Last night I “turned up” the thermostat! I do not care what the calendar says—this girl was cold as ice! Therefore, I am going to jump right to the point for all the fall and winter lovers—I love the tropical feel. Therefore, I thank God this day for the mind He gifted to make one of the most miraculous things I could ever own—the thermostat! Hallelujah! I am not laughing AND I am very serious.
Last night I “turned up” the thermostat! I do not care what the calendar says—this girl was cold as ice! Therefore, I am going to jump right to the point for all the fall and winter lovers—I love the tropical feel. Therefore, I thank God this day for the mind He gifted to make one of the most miraculous things I could ever own—the thermostat! Hallelujah! I am not laughing AND I am very serious.
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #71
Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do
not know what this is all about.
When I first started doing this I thought, “You have got to be kidding me! There is no way that this stuff is having this kind of effect on me.” I had a very rough time getting up in the morning but I thought it was just because I needed to sleep longer. Then I had my younger sister using the stuff for reasons other than why I had been using it. A few days later, she told me, “Charlotte I have to start using that [stuff] right after I get home from work. I cannot wait too close to bedtime because I have a hard time getting up in the morning. What in the world is this stuff Charlotte?!! It is one of God’s non-addictive natural remedies in the form of essential oils—lavender. I do not have a hard time sleeping. I was using it for the calming effects and the impact I thought it would have on my sinuses. Apparently, I did not really believe the claim that lavender helps people to sleep (whether you have a sleeping problem or not). So on the nights where I am not going to have the freedom to sleep as long as I want, I don’t turn on my electric aromatherapy.
So yes, I thank God for remedies found in the nature that He created for which no man can take credit. Oh, they can manufacture and sell but their science cannot create it. They literally cannot make this stuff up!
Friday, October 2, 2015
Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #70
Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do
not know what this is all about.
In beginning of these postings, were you one of those people who thought ‘surely there aren’t that many different things for which to be thankful?’ Examine every detail of your life, and I bet you will find there are indeed many, many things for which to be thankful. If you are doubtful, then feel free to step into my world. Come with me back to the year of 1985. There is one vivid night that sticks out in my mind from that year. My mom, sisters and I had just finished watching TV and we prepared for bed. My mom and younger sister shared a bedroom on the first floor and my older sister and I shared a bedroom on the second floor. To this day, I have no understanding as to why when it is time to go to bed, I find things I need to do before I can wind down and get in the bed. Such was the case that evening. My older sister was in the zone before I even turned off the light and landed in bed next to her. I cannot remember how many minutes I had been laying there in the dark, AWAKE before I heard what sounded like the sound of forceful cracking wood. I do not much recall the sound of the glass; the prying sound of wood is what I remember most. The sound was enough distance away so it could not have been coming from the front door. What was it? We would soon discover it was the backdoor leading to the kitchen. My heart was beating so fast and it was as if I could actually hear the vibration in my own ears. My horrified, 15 year old mind was thinking, “I need my body to quiet down!” I fearfully whispered my sister’s name a few times to wake her out of her sleep. Obviously, she seemed a bit agitated. “Someone’s downstairs,” I said in barely a whisper. I thought she had just gone back to sleep until a few moments later she whispered back, “Someone is down there.” At that point, I do not remember if any other words were spoken much but I know we were both praying. I know I was. Thoughts kept racing through my mind about my mom and younger sister on the first floor as I prayed in silence. It was not before long that I saw what I assume to be a light from a flashlight making its way up the stairs towards us. As I heard the slow creaking on the stairs, I tried my best to silence the possible creaking in our bed that could be caused by me now shifting my body. I was positioning my body so that my back would face the entrance to our bedroom. I had no idea what would happen if whoever was in our house shined that light in my face. No amount of keeping my eyes closed could hide the fact that I was awake. I was beyond faking my face at this point. My heart was racing, my body was frozen still, and my mind was racing with prayer. I thank God I was taught at an early age the importance of a prayer life! Whoever the person was only shined the light into our bedroom; they DID NOT enter! They did not stand there long before they went back down the stairs. It was as if everything went silent after the once again creaking sound of the stairs. My older sister and I did not know if the persons (we knew there were 2) left or if they were still down there. We knew they had left when in a short while my older brother arrived home and called out to us and we in relief yelled back. It was as if my body had instantly broken free of paralysis.
It took months before I could go to sleep with the lights off after that happened. For a while, I had no problem with being the last person getting to bed. Whatever I needed to do could wait until the next day. Nevertheless, I thank GOD that He proved himself faithful to my mom, sisters and me! Women found in their beds at night with no protection of a man in sight? None of us approached…no harm? Nothing but GOD. I have waayy too much for which to thank God. Endless, endless reasons to thank Him. What about you?
In beginning of these postings, were you one of those people who thought ‘surely there aren’t that many different things for which to be thankful?’ Examine every detail of your life, and I bet you will find there are indeed many, many things for which to be thankful. If you are doubtful, then feel free to step into my world. Come with me back to the year of 1985. There is one vivid night that sticks out in my mind from that year. My mom, sisters and I had just finished watching TV and we prepared for bed. My mom and younger sister shared a bedroom on the first floor and my older sister and I shared a bedroom on the second floor. To this day, I have no understanding as to why when it is time to go to bed, I find things I need to do before I can wind down and get in the bed. Such was the case that evening. My older sister was in the zone before I even turned off the light and landed in bed next to her. I cannot remember how many minutes I had been laying there in the dark, AWAKE before I heard what sounded like the sound of forceful cracking wood. I do not much recall the sound of the glass; the prying sound of wood is what I remember most. The sound was enough distance away so it could not have been coming from the front door. What was it? We would soon discover it was the backdoor leading to the kitchen. My heart was beating so fast and it was as if I could actually hear the vibration in my own ears. My horrified, 15 year old mind was thinking, “I need my body to quiet down!” I fearfully whispered my sister’s name a few times to wake her out of her sleep. Obviously, she seemed a bit agitated. “Someone’s downstairs,” I said in barely a whisper. I thought she had just gone back to sleep until a few moments later she whispered back, “Someone is down there.” At that point, I do not remember if any other words were spoken much but I know we were both praying. I know I was. Thoughts kept racing through my mind about my mom and younger sister on the first floor as I prayed in silence. It was not before long that I saw what I assume to be a light from a flashlight making its way up the stairs towards us. As I heard the slow creaking on the stairs, I tried my best to silence the possible creaking in our bed that could be caused by me now shifting my body. I was positioning my body so that my back would face the entrance to our bedroom. I had no idea what would happen if whoever was in our house shined that light in my face. No amount of keeping my eyes closed could hide the fact that I was awake. I was beyond faking my face at this point. My heart was racing, my body was frozen still, and my mind was racing with prayer. I thank God I was taught at an early age the importance of a prayer life! Whoever the person was only shined the light into our bedroom; they DID NOT enter! They did not stand there long before they went back down the stairs. It was as if everything went silent after the once again creaking sound of the stairs. My older sister and I did not know if the persons (we knew there were 2) left or if they were still down there. We knew they had left when in a short while my older brother arrived home and called out to us and we in relief yelled back. It was as if my body had instantly broken free of paralysis.
It took months before I could go to sleep with the lights off after that happened. For a while, I had no problem with being the last person getting to bed. Whatever I needed to do could wait until the next day. Nevertheless, I thank GOD that He proved himself faithful to my mom, sisters and me! Women found in their beds at night with no protection of a man in sight? None of us approached…no harm? Nothing but GOD. I have waayy too much for which to thank God. Endless, endless reasons to thank Him. What about you?
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #69
Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do
not know what this is all about.
Imagine living in an era where you have to stand in a long line of people outside the gates of a palace trying desperately to get in. Everyone is desperate to get in because they want to reach the court to present their petition to the king. Some want to plead the case of their loved one locked up in debtor’s prison. Some want favor granted them for the best care of their child’s health. The petitions are endless. The time has come and you are finally the second person in line. Your petition is so great and heavy on your heart, but there is one thing equally as heavy on your heart… You do not know how you are going to get into the gate because you have nothing that the king of this palace would count worthy of letting you through the gate. As tears flow down your face you cannot even bring your mind to think past the gate to the actual court to present your petition. What will you do?
Are not you so glad that there is Someone higher than any earthly king that allows us to—“Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name.” (Psalm 100:4 Amplified) I also, like how The Message bible version phrases it—“Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him.” God really does listen but you have to examine your heart before you approach Him. The least we can do is come to Him with a sincere thank you for everything He has already done and is yet doing daily for us. In addition, if you are thanking Him daily but you feel like He is not ever hearing you, then examine your life. God gives us grace. However, don’t you want to live beyond just "grace?"
Imagine living in an era where you have to stand in a long line of people outside the gates of a palace trying desperately to get in. Everyone is desperate to get in because they want to reach the court to present their petition to the king. Some want to plead the case of their loved one locked up in debtor’s prison. Some want favor granted them for the best care of their child’s health. The petitions are endless. The time has come and you are finally the second person in line. Your petition is so great and heavy on your heart, but there is one thing equally as heavy on your heart… You do not know how you are going to get into the gate because you have nothing that the king of this palace would count worthy of letting you through the gate. As tears flow down your face you cannot even bring your mind to think past the gate to the actual court to present your petition. What will you do?
Are not you so glad that there is Someone higher than any earthly king that allows us to—“Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name.” (Psalm 100:4 Amplified) I also, like how The Message bible version phrases it—“Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him.” God really does listen but you have to examine your heart before you approach Him. The least we can do is come to Him with a sincere thank you for everything He has already done and is yet doing daily for us. In addition, if you are thanking Him daily but you feel like He is not ever hearing you, then examine your life. God gives us grace. However, don’t you want to live beyond just "grace?"
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