Friday, September 11, 2009

Remembrance

I am sitting here writing this post, stunned that it has been eight years since September 11, 2001. It is hard to believe that this much time has passed, but the pain of that day still is ever present. Today, I chose not to focus on the pain that day inflicted on this country, but, instead, God led me to focus on the goodness in humanity. One of the beautiful things about this country is its people in times of crisis. On that dreadful day, did we look at people and ask them if they were Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, before we helped them? Absolutely not. We rolled up our proverbial shirt sleeves and got to work. We donated untold amounts of money to help those we may never meet. We drove up to New York and Pennsylvania and Washington, DC just to ask, "What can I do to help?" Firefighters, police, paramedics and other first responders ran into buildings on a mission to save those trapped, unsure if they would return themselves. We held hands and prayed with strangers of different colors and of different faiths. Friends, I pray that this country will get back to how we were on September 12, 2001.

On this weekend of remembrance, focus on the good that God has instilled in all of us. Let's spread that goodness around like a beautiful fragrance in the air. May the Lord bless all of you!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Damaged

I have an air conditioner in my home that is on its last leg! It finally decided to stop working last week. Why do these things happen when we are in the middle of 90+ temperatures?? Anyway, the AC, in my mind, is damaged and needs to be replaced; luckily, repair people are coming out today. But the Lord brought to my mind all of the people in this world who are damaged - "walking wounded," if you will. I have been there - I was about as damaged as a person could possibly be. Did God decide to replace me like my air conditioner? Thank goodness, no! He is our beautiful healer, making all things new. Are you feeling damaged today, friend? Are you walking around today feeling as if you are beyond repair? God is ready to restore you. He loves you more than you can possibly imagine. The Bible says, "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." I Peter 5:10 (NIV) Believe that good news today! He will restore you! You are no longer damaged - you are a child of the King!

Many blessings to you all today!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

A "True"ly Wonderful Thing

Have you all ever heard of "The True Campaign?" WOW - they are doing some incredibly amazing work to help stop the needless suffering associated with eating disorders. According to their website, "The True Campaign exists to end the crisis of poor self-image by challenging cultural ideals about identity and beauty, so we can be free to impact our world as God intended." How wonderful would it be to not be shackled and chained to negative body images and joyfully dance the way the Lord intended! Have you ever heard of that song by Mary-Mary called "Shackles?" "Shackles off my feet so I can dance.....I just want to praise you. I just want to praise you!" Man, my feet are tapping as I type! That is my prayer for all of you checking in today - that you would take those shackles off so you can dance. It has been a long time since my decades-long battle with anorexia and depression, but I am never that far removed from it so I can be hands and feet to someone who needs help or a kind word. I will keep you all in my prayers - guaranteed! I have attached a button to the right for "The True Campaign," and it will take you directly to their site. Check them out, and if you feel the Lord's leading to get involved, go for it! Blessings to you all today!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Blessings In Disguise

It is a Monday morning in the sweltering South, and my air conditioning is broken. That is enough to make my hair curl (wait..my hair is already naturally curly! :->) Anyway, that got my day off to a not-so-great start. I immediately went into complaining mode: "I have to miss part of work!" "My billable hours are going to go down the tubes!" "How inconvenient!" Then, all of a sudden, God started whispering to my heart, "My daughter, at least you have an air conditioner to fix. You have a roof over your head, food on your table and friends and family who love you. I will always provide." Boy, I needed to hear that! Even the small inconveniences of our lives pale in comparison to people who have no water, who are starving and who are oppressed. Let's praise God today for His many overflowing blessings! Have a wonderful day!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Balancing Act

Hi everyone! WOW - it has been a few weeks since my last post. I am still working full-time as a paralegal as I begin this ministry, and I am trying to find time to balance both. My heart is in speaking and writing and ministering, so I get really frustrated when I do not write everyday. Do you all ever get stressed out, trying to keep all of the balls we juggle in the air? I talked to my family, friends and boyfriend, and they all told me the same thing.....PRAY! I have been keeping God a distant fourth on my schedule while I have tried to handle everything on my own. Boy, that definitely does not work! I have a Heavenly Father who longs to have an intimate relationship with me, and He said in His Word that I can do all things through Him who gives me the strength. So each morning, I want to start my day with Him and keep Him with me all day. I long to keep God first in all I do!

I would love to hear from you if you struggle or have struggled with keeping your relationship with the Lord a priority. Any tips (and prayers!) you could share with all of us would be awesome!

Have a great night everyone!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Greetings!

Hi everyone! First of all, I want to thank Danielle of "The Design Girl" for designing this blog/website for me. She is truly gifted, and I am so thankful that the Lord brought her into my life to guide me in the "blog world!" Today is my first "official" post - YAY! I know that so many of you out there have suffered through depression, eating disorders and the like, and I just want you all to know that you are not alone. I have been there, and God is faithful and will bring you through it - I promise! He is faithful and wonderful! More later......have a blessed and fabulous weekend!