Tag: Good

Flip of the Switch

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Flip of the Switch

March 19, 2020

In uncertain times, it’s easy to get swept up in all the mania! It looms above like thick clouds waiting to burst and drown us in its deluge. It swirls around us like annoying summer misquotes ready to bite. It stares intensely like an animal waiting to pounce and devour. Frankly, it could possibly be more harmful than what we are currently facing around the globe…

OR

We can decide to flip the switch and simply turn it off. Yes, we need to stay informed; however, we do NOT need to be enslaved by all this craziness! While you and I do not have the ability to make others comply with regulations, whether it be social distancing or hoarding, we unequivocally DO have the power to control our own actions and mindset.

Today, I decided to flip the switch, and it was WONDERFUL! Instead of fretting about my compromised immune and respiratory systems, I tried something: I went outside and ran. This is a HUGE victory because I physically have not been able to run for 19 months. Today’s run was a slow process, no judgement on my time, but I ran consistently for over a mile! Seven months ago, walking required a cane and I had little stability (let alone stamina). *FLIP*

I also went outside in public with no makeup on (hence the fabulous selfie you see). Why is that such a big deal, you might ask? Well, to frame it for you, I had on a full face of makeup and jewelry for both my kids’ deliveries! I simply do not leave the front door without at least some makeup! Because I knew the likelihood of running into someone (pun totally intended) was slim to none, I felt EMPOWERED to do this “unthinkable” act. *FLIP*

I sat down at the dinning room table with my kids, spread out a project they’ve been wanting to do for ages, and enjoyed simply being together without a time constraint. We listened to music, reminisced, and laughed, without a single ounce of guilt! It was priceless. *FLIP*

So in my REA/L moment with you, my friend, let’s flip the switch! Instead of giving fear control over us and allowing the current mania to overwhelm us, let’s spread some positivity! Let’s try something new and encourage others to do the same. Let’s share a little insight to our real selves!

It’s free. It can be done right from your home. And it’s ripple effect might just help reset our nation, even the world, in how we respond and come together in times of uncertainty…all with a simple flip of the switch!

GOOD

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GOOD

January 11, 2020

When you think “good,” what comes to mind? Something you enjoy? Something to helpful? Something comforting? Certainly not something difficult, right? How could that be “good?”

I am coming to terms with this concept of “good.” His goodness. Goodness that may not initially feel “good” but is good for me nonetheless. That’s not human nature, though, is it? We want what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. Think about how many ways you can personalize your Whataburger or Starbucks! And if it’s available to us, why shouldn’t we?

“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,” (1 Timothy 4:4 NIV).

THIS is where we get in trouble. We take bits of scripture and morph them to soot our “needs.” Read the scripture again…go ahead, I’ll wait…

It says “for everything GOD created is good” (emphasis added). It does NOT say everything IS good. It also says to receive with thanksgiving. Gratitude seems to be in short supply these days, especially if we do not think what we receive is “good,” which brings me back to this concept of His goodness.

Personally, I seem to be maneuvering from one unusual situation into another. This can get exhausting and utterly deflating. It’s easy to get swallowed up and wallow in a “what have I done to deserve this” mentality. Or “God must think I’m a real bad ass” mindset. Neither is healthy. Nor could they be further from the truth. I think we need a new framework in which to filter “good.”

God

Ordained

Opportunity

Development

GOOD, in this case, is from Him and should be received with thanksgiving. It may not look or feel like “good” in the moment, but God was never meant to be our servant. El Shaddai (God Almighty), yes. El Roi (God who sees), yes. Yahweh Yireh (God Provides), yes. God the “magic genie in the bottle whom we can beckon in a moment’s notice and have our wish granted,” no. Sounds ridiculous seeing it in print, and yet, that’s exactly how a majority of us expect God to operate. Not only is this not good, it’s completely narcissistic, unrealistic and just plain bad!

So today, as I have no voice and am unable to speak in the literal sense, I am faced with a choice. I can choose to let the devil roam around the playground of my mind and allow him to run amuck with his lies, doubting God’s presence within me…OR, I can, with thanksgiving, identify this moment as GOOD. God Ordained Opportunity Development.

Truth be told, this is hard for my extroverted-self to comprehend, let alone apply, without the ability to vocally communicate in a very populated setting all weekend, but I’m trying. I’m praying for an extra portion of grace. I’m breathing and mentally framing my current frustrating situation, as best I can, as GOOD.

Details

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Details

October 28, 2019

I was recently asked to give an impromptu speech addressing this question: “What are you not seeing?” I took the obvious route. If I’m not seeing it, how do I know what I’m missing? Thinking about this today, my response would be different. I would say I am missing the details…

When I had sensory issues, it seemed I was constantly surrounded by the details. I heard noises and conversations with bat-like precision. I took in my environment’s colors with vivid intensity. My skin seemed to have more nerve endings, which had a dramatic effect on my body. Flooded with so many details all at once was both exhausting and exhilarating, at the same time. It caused me to pause. I had to in order to drink them all in. As I did, they afforded me great joy, often resulting in giggles. It was the multitude of details that made me increasingly aware of how much I was missing in my fast-paced “normal” life.

God is in the details. He brings importance to the smallest facets. His countless creations speak to the level of attention in His designs. They show the vast intimacy with which He cares for us. He not only wants us to share all our details, He delights in them (Psalm 37:23)!

It seems, nowadays, we don’t have a desire for details. They take too much time. They get in the way. They don’t leave enough wiggle room. We only want the highlight reel–enough information to get the “gist” so we can move on. Much like the Cliff Notes version for the books we were supposed to read in High School, or maybe that was just me in my immaturity.

I’m not sure about you, but I want to exchange my fast-action, wide angle lens for one that captures precious portrait details. I crave them again. I want to slow down, breathe in, and savor each bite, relishing in all that it has to offer. I want to stop and truly appreciate the craftsmanship within a butterfly’s wing, painted by my child. I want to go back to being methodical in my movements, preserving my energy for noticing those tiny treasures placed along my path. I miss the details, and the abundant joy that accompanied them.

“Open my eyes to see the miracles in your teachings” (Psalm 119:18 NCV).

For I know your details, Lord, are not by chance, rather are by your divine design.

Humble me to recognize them.

Help me to delight in them.

Enable me to share them.

This I pray…

Capture Each Thought

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Capture Each Thought

October 4, 2019

We were sitting in a local coffee shop that morning. She was pouring her heart out about how she felt…the thoughts she kept coming back to. As I listened to her ache, an image appeared before me.

“See those berries,” I said. “Imagine each of them are the thoughts bunched up in your mind. Now, grab the one you just described to me, the one where you weren’t sure. The one where you questioned whether or not you were good enough. That one. Pluck it off the branch and let’s see how it aligns with His Word. If it doesn’t, then toss it aside because it is no good.”

This is an active daily process we must do, if we want to be REAL with ourselves.

“We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5b NIV).

So often our thoughts run away from us. Unknowingly, we allow the devil in through the backdoor of our brains, and he plants his seeds of doubt. His lies begin to spring up, like weeds, as they quickly cover our fertile ground. The devil is crafty and cloaks his lies so they appear true. This is why we must earnestly capture each thought, examine it, and line it up with God’s truth.

You absolutely can control what thoughts you allow residency. We are what we think. And you, my friend, are royalty, a priceless heir to His throne, His creative masterpiece, who’s worthy of His love. Let’s hold onto these truths, grant them access to flourish, shape who we are and how we treat others.