I Am Ready

This weekend I celebrated two totally different occasions that have moved me like never before.  See, I've been in a state the past few months trying to manage my time better, connect with the people who matter, make new meaningful friendships, and make steps toward living a more fulfilling life.  I don't really have much to complain about but at times I feel busy rather than productive.  Like I am just moving through each day without creating a legacy or truly emptying myself of all the gifts and talents God has blessed me with before I leave this earth.  But now I am ready.

On Friday morning I went to celebrate the short life of a five year old boy who went on to Glory after suffering with cancer for over a year.  He was only five years old.  That was a hard place to be and I my heart was and still is broken for his young parents who had to bury their baby.  But there was celebration because this child was very special.  I had the pleasure of meeting him when he was around two years old and he was so smart! He could identify every shape and color around my home.  He was courteous and curious; he brought joy to a room.  The preacher who gave the eulogy remarked about these things but also about the fact that none of us know how much time we have on the earth.  While we may have been thinking about the great things this young baby would do as a teenager and young man because of the great aptitude he had as a toddler, God chose to call him home at age five.  But every person at that service who had known him was touched by his life in some memorable way in his short time on the earth reminding us that we must do all we can while we can.  Be intentional and maximize life daily.  The preacher also reminded us that we are all afforded the same 24 hours in each day not matter who we are; we have a choice as to how we spend our time.  We must allocate our time wisely because we just don't know how many more 24 hours we will be granted.  I am ready to make better time management decisions because I don't have anymore time to waste.

Then on Saturday I had the great honor to celebrate with one of my husband's dear friends on his 6th pastoral anniversary.  Everything was beautifully done and the entire event signified great faith on his behalf.  Starting a church is no easy undertaking and the genuine kindness of his membership and the quality of every detail showcased the fruit of his labor.  But the highlight was the keynote speaker!  She spoke a life-changing message about speaking positively in every circumstance.  Co-Pastor Veda McCoy brought the house down with a timely word about knowing who you are by God's standards and not by society, race, background or anything else but God.  We sat spellbound by the power and sincerity with which she delivered her message.  She led us in a resounding mantra, "I am the I Am's Child!"  He is the Great "I Am" and He created the heavens and earth with spoken words.  I will ever more speak life-giving words in every aspect of my life and those around me.  I will not be the same after hearing this word from the Lord spoken through this woman today.  She reconnected me with a simple spiritual principle that I learned many years ago: The power of life and death in the tongue.  I will choose to speak life.  I am ready to be and do ALL that I was created to do, no more time to waste, no more idle words.

I pray that everyone reading this post is empowered to make the changes to live the life you were created and destined to live.  You don't need seven keys, or ten steps, or a 90-day program: you only need to choose how to spend your precious time and speak life every time you open your mouth.  Those two things will bring you into alignment with path that God has already planned for you.  You are ready: GO!!!

Living With Sinkholes

This story about a Florida man who was sleeping in bed and pulled down into a sinkhole has captivated my attention.  In the DC metro our news has been dominated by the sequester, the dysfunctional Congress, and the political gridlock.  So when I heard this sinkhole story it stopped me in my tracks because even though I'm not thrilled about losing 20% of my pay, I am not being swallowed into a sinkhole.  I cannot imagine the devastation his family is feeling right now.  My prayers are with his family and I hope that the man was saved.  The story is just heartbreaking

All that being said, this story revealed two major things for me.  This first is that you cannot "over share" your salvation story.  Every person whose life has been changed by and encounter with Jesus Christ should see this story as their personal wake up call to find every opportunity to witness to someone about the goodness of the Lord.  You never know when you may be the last chance for someone's life to be changed.  You never know that someone is literally leaving your presence and walking toward their final hours on the earth.  Sounds extreme, but this man laid down for the night in his bed and was sucked into the earth in the middle of the night.  Things happen: car accidents, terminal diagnosis, senseless shootings.....sinkholes.

The second thing was revealed when I saw footage of the house.  From the front of the house you could not even tell that anything is amiss.  It looked like all of the other houses along the suburban street where it was built.  Then when the camera panned to back you see that the entire rear of the home is underground.  I though about the fact that many us are walking around with potential sinkholes within our soul.  What are you tip toeing around? Do you even know that these fragile places exist?  Have you just developed a coping mechanism to live a life full of sinkholes?  This is no way to live because you never know when one of these sinkholes in your soul will open up and swallow you. When one will wreck your entire life.  It is imperative that we let the healing power of Jesus into to every area of our souls.  His grace is more than enough for any sinkhole in your soul.  Don't hang onto them because you don't know when you might begin to collapse, self-destruct.  Get help for the sinkholes now.  You were created to live a life of freedom and on a firm foundation.  You can have this life when you live not just for God, but with  God.  Invite Him into every area of your life.

Singing, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."

My New Year's Wish For You: Wild Card Drive

I cannot believe it has been so long since I have visited and/or written here on my blog.  What with two work trips, Girl Scout meetings, hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's gatherings in the past two months I just didn't have the time.  I'm back and I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday and that this new year finds you in a better position than last.

I'm sitting here watching football and not really concerned about who wins since my beloved Eagles are no doubt watching it right along with me.  Well, as I catch the end of the Bengals/Texans game it suddenly dawns on me that both teams made it here by the skin of their teeth and in this win or go home playoff game you gotta have determination, will, and DRIVE to get to the next level.  These teams could very easily be at home with my team but by some slim margin (and NFL math) they have an opportunity to get to the big game by winning this appropriately titled Wild Card Game.

I have often been in positions where I didn't quite have the record to be there, had a score that was rounded up to make the grade to give me honors, had the favor of God to move in circumstances that made absolutely no sense: I've had my share of "Wild Card Game" moments of life.  One thing I've learned is not to squander those moments.  There is no time to stumble, question yourself, or show signs of weakness.  It is in those rare and special instances that you MUST show up with your game face on and push through to make it to the next level.

Now I know in the NFL there has to be a winner and a loser (oh how I know about losing football teams) however the beauty of life is that we can all be winners because each of us is afforded opportunities to close the deal, get the promotion, heal the relationship, realize our potential, etc.  The key is that we must own those precious moments in time and rise to the occasion.  You've been praying for this, visualizing this, you know the drills, you've been preparing for quite some time.  Seize the day!  No time for doubting. No time for retreating.  This is your time!  Push, press, and make power moves into this new year.  You may have gotten here on a wing and prayer but none of that will matter when you clench the victory.  You have what it takes!  I encourage you to drive on and start choreographing your end zone dance because you are going to WIN.

Peace and blessings....

Finish Strong: Thoughts of an Armchair Quarterback

I am a huge football fan.  I love the sport because of the physical strength of the players, the endless stats that can be derived from the games (yes I am a nerd like that), and the mental toughness that it takes to show up at every game no matter what.  Since my team (the Eagles) are doing particularly poorly this season I have decided to take an interest in random players on random teams.  And I am getting caught up in all of the drama that goes with the NFL.  Does Peyon Manning still have it?  How far does "Bounty-Gate" really go?  Are the Redskins going to protect their exceptional, record-breaking quarterback?  These distractions take the sting out of a cocky, overly-talented, bunch of individuals who can't seems to string together 60 minutes of teamwork to win decisively this season.  But about finishing strong....

I turned to the middle of fourth quarter of the Saints/Broncos game Sunday and I was pretty conflicted because these are two quarterbacks that I currently cheer for.  The score was 7 to 24, Broncos up.  The Saints were in possession of the ball and Drew Brees was cool, calm and in control.  He was trying his best to set up plays to put points on the board even though it was clear they were not going to come back and win this game.  He showed so much strength under pressure, going through the fundamentals and just plugging away at the plays and the steps he had practiced for countless hours.  Even in a losing battle he showed himself strong.  He had the resolve of a champion; he was very much in the game.  My takeaway: you may not win them all but don't let that reduce you to subpar performance.  Finish strong.

The journey of life is filled with many twists, turns, and opportunities.  You will not be victorious in every little battle, but you have the overall victory in life if you keep focus.  Don't let the small foxes take you out of the big game.  You belong here! You were created for a specific purpose.  Drew Brees was playing that losing game like the Super Bowl champion that he is.  You have a champion inside you! Finish strong!

Let It Go

I am a recovering "Yes Woman".  There, I said it out loud.  I was the person who used to commit to things that I did not really want or have enough time to do.   The person who just didn't want to make waves; go with the flow, you know the type.   But when you keep giving and giving and giving, you eventually have nothing left to give (particularly when you are spread across activities that are not your passion).  Living this way you will find you become depleted; devoid of energy, inspiration or joy.  Life is not meant to be lived this way.  We are created to live with purpose, having meaningful connections with mutual give and takes.  My personal road to recovery started with the following:

1. Just Say No.  Seriously, if you are already over-scheduled and running on empty, you must decline any additional commitments until you are able to find a balance and recharge your batteries.  I started saying no to things and at first it was a bit challenging, but it got easier and more freeing the more I did it.  Look in the mirror and practice saying no.  You can do it.
2. Delegate. I have been a bit of a control freak, I can admit that.  However, I have learned the value of allowing others to take on responsibility where they can.  Contrary to my former self, I have come to embrace accepting help and doling out tasks that others can do.  
3. Determine your worth.  This is HUGE!  There are just some people that are not worth your time, effort or energy.  Don't want to get to deep here, but if you are always giving in certain relationships, or ones where that person consistently lets you down, it is time to sever the ties.  Save your best self and be energized for the relationships that add value to your life.
4. Breathe deeply everyday.  The pace of life can leave us running all of the time (my people in the DC Metro can surely relate).  We run from home to work; from work to home, to church, to __________(fill in the blank).  This running makes us susceptible to making decisions in haste.  Breathing deeply, and I mean a concentrated, fill-your-lungs with air breathing, will give your brain the boost it needs to be at optimal productivity and less likely to make poor choices regarding how you spend your time.
5.  Laugh often.  If I am not laughing and enjoying life it can't be good for me in general.  Yes, we all have times of pain or sorrow, but on a daily basis there should be joy and laughter in your life.  Complaining, grumbling, or dreading your basic day-to-day activities is WARNING sign for sure.  Don't ignore the warning.  Laughter is truly medicine for the soul and should be a part of your daily living experience.

The bottom line is Let It Go.  Whatever IT is.  Let go of the IT that drains on your time, your joy, your peace.  You only have one shot at this life and every single day you have left here must be spent living intentionally focused on what really matters.  Let It Go.