Step on it...

A few months ago, our church's theme for the month was:

Be of Good Courage!

A lot is to be said about Courage so let's just start with Encarta's definition:
Courage is the "quality of being brave: the ability to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action."*

It's an interesting definition because it can be summarized in a 2-word command from God:

Listen and learn...

Just this morning, I was discussing one of my children's homework with him. He was supposed to write on the topic:

"What I want to be when I grow up"

Being the great mom I am, I started trying to guide him by giving him ideas...and then I put my foot in my mouth when I said, "you can also say that "I want to be a father."" I had barely finished my sentence when he said emphatically:

"I am going to be a father... that's not something I need to say I want to be."

Immediately, the Holy Spirit "tapped" me and said "imagine the faith of a child."
The assurance and finality in his words and tone reinforced something I've always known...when you know what God has said about you - hold on to it, don't haggle about it.

May God give us such childlike faith that holds on to God's promises unwaveringly.



P.S. I will be a grandma (in some decades to come)...thank God for that promise...

"May you live to enjoy your grandchildren." (Ps 128:6 -NLT)

Why do I need privacy?

Have you ever asked yourself that question?

Well that was a question that popped in my head when I read this...

Discover (& release) the lion in you...

Last year, we talked about how we should learn from lions (http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2010/01/learn-from-lion.html). Afterall, we are related to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah so we might as well...be like Him. God stunned me again...as usual - a few weeks ago, my husband saw this piece while looking for something else...

see how God makes provision for a vision...simply amazing

Self-first is not selfishness...

I know you may not agree with me off the bat...

well, neither did I until I got some more insight.

I feel very strongly about this because of how "giving" some of us are (P.S. I know the right word may be  generous; but "giving" appeals to me at this time). So let's go on...

Be empowered...

God has spoken once, twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God. (Ps 62:11 Amp)

I wonder how many of us have seen and meditated on this verse.

Well, the past 2 weekends God said one thing and made me hear it twice.

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

Some of us may have seen this poem before, I got it several years ago and recently, I was led to look it up and share it...my comments are in purple. When I read such pieces, I can't help but wonder why "Author unknown" is so famous & yet "unknown"...like the author of this one.
 

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you figure out which one it is,

you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,

it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty;

to provide you with guidance and support;

to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.

They may seem like a Godsend, and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,

this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Letting go can be tough - we all need to have the courage to leave* some relationships too. Think about it, sometimes you are the person who is in that other person's life for Reason. When your assignment is done, "get up and leave." It is easy to overstay our welcome in other people's lives and it usually leaves a bad aftertaste.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,

because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.

They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

Likewise, learn to let go and move on. When you've become fond of someone, it's difficult to just get up and go but when you realize that this may be the time for that person (or you) to be a blessing to another person, it puts everything in perspective. Not letting go could result in messing up all the pleasant memories you may have had from that "time together" - because the relationship is stale...

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;

things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,

and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

If you're in someone's life for a reason...be reasonable and leave when the ovation is highest.
If you're in someone's life for a season...it pays to be a seasoning that adds value and be seasoned enough to know when it is time to step back.If you're in someone's life for a lifetime - you might as well be giving life in the things you do and say.

Each time I read this piece, I cannot thank God enough for a friend or 2 (including my husband  of course) who have come into my life for a Reason, Season and Lifetime...I celebrate one such person today...

Happy Birthday dear reasonable, seasoned & lifetime friend
- when I count my blessings, I count you twice (Author unknown)

Reference
*http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2009/11/secret-3-courage-7-courage-to-leave.html