A Change in Perspective

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16




365 days of creating a habit! 365 days of opening my heart! 365 days of being led by God and not my own desires! For those of you who might have done some investigative work into my past posts (Hint: October 2005) would have found that last year, at this time, I challenged myself. The challenge was to reach out to someone every day. To stop focusing on my own needs and wants but to change my "outlook" and actually see those around me, friends, family, strangers, and their needs...the ways I could help them...the ways I could be a servant rather than the one expecting to be served. It was last year that I realized that the goals I set for my life were based on ways for me to get praise and recognition when all praise goes to God, the One who works through us. I realized that the valuable thing my life could be used for is to touch just one heart...to truly reach out to someone so that they can see and feel the love of Christ.

Out of all the lessons I have learned this past year, the most important lesson has been that of faith and trust in Christ. Each day, He guided my heart and showed me all that I can do for others, with His help. I went into this challenge wondering how I could help others when I don't have many skills, talents, or even an understanding of how I could be used, but He prepared the way each day. Just wait and see...a simple phrase that has been a large part of this experience. Nothing I did throughout the year was planned. I put trust in God that He would show me those opportunities. I had to just wait and see. And it is amazing all I have seen.

I have kept a journal each day of the ways that I reached out to others and as I flip through the pages, I can't do anything but give all the credit to the One who works through me.

It has been 365 days and that is something to celebrate! I know I built up your expectations for this post and sincerely hope you have not been let down, but this year has been amazing. This challenge has been such a large part of my days and something I just had to share with you.


I know a year isn't a long time, and the acts I have done have been small, but I will continue striving to look outside myself every day and reach out to those around me. I will continue trusting in Christ knowing that He is guiding me. I will do all that I can to continue fighting my own selfishness to have a servant heart. And hopefully, one day, God will use me to reach that one heart.

One year down and a lifetime to go!

One Plus

Tomorrow is the day! What could it be? What is so important about tomorrow? Hmmm, I mentioned possibly providing a hint. What can I say that wouldn't give it a way too easily? I guess the only thing I can say is that you all have the opportunity to figure it out if you change your "outlook".

Still don't know....just wait and see...

Four Plus, Three Plus, Two Plus

Yes, I had to combine the countdown since I don't post during the weekend. So I figured this post could cover those days as well. Since it is to cover so many days, I thought I would share with you some guesses from a smart person in my life...guesses that make me smile. So enjoy!

I know, I know. Your bathroom will be finished!!! You will have a dishwasher installed!! An elevator will be put in for me at your house!! Green concrete is being poured so you don't have to mow!! Your garage will be clean?? You are getting cable tv??

I can guarantee that the future post will be on something more important than these, but since it is out in the open...if any of you want to accomplish these tasks for me, just let me know ;)...just kidding.

What could be more important than getting accomplished what is listed above?....Just wait and see...

Five Plus

Well, there have been some more interesting guesses! Though a post on halloween would be interesting and exciting for others, and I am sure you all know how much I "love" halloween (said sarcastically), I can definitely state with confidence, that my upcoming post will not be on halloween ;).

Good guesses that make me laugh! And some of you are trying to get it out of my sis (stay strong Jess! I am counting on you ;). You may think it is impossible to guess what the future post will be about, but I can assure you that it isn't.

Maybe I will give a hint...just wait and see...

Six Plus

I have heard some pretty good and funny guesses so far, particularly from someone whose name I will not mention, but you know who you are ;).

Will I be able to clearly explain?....Just wait and see...

Seven Plus

Did anyone notice that I skipped 8? Don't worry, I can count...sometimes. Thanks to a Melanie, I decided I needed to move up the exciting event by a day because I will be in New York City during the actual momentous occasion. Maybe that was a hint, maybe not...but if by chance you figure it out, congratulations and keep it to yourself ;).

If you still haven't figured it out....just wait and see...

Nine Plus

And the count down begins....

How will I ever be able to put into words? Just wait and see...

Giving

Breakthrough news to share with you. Last night I spent the evening with a good friend, ate some good food, and watched an incredible, yet stressful, football game...Go Bears! On my way home I was thinking. Here I enjoyed myself and ended up spending money in the process. Yes, I had a great time. Yes, I would do it again. But what was I really doing? A few weeks ago I shared with you my struggle with tithing and I can't thank each one of you enough for your words, prayers, and encouragement. As an update for you, I did tithe the first week in October. But last night, I realized that I should and that I wanted to tithe more. Here I am enjoying myself and just blessed with all God provides. I spend money here and there, but I have trouble finding money to tithe? I have trouble giving God what is His to begin with? There is just something wrong with that statement. In a way, I have been putting my needs and wants before God. And then making excuses for not being able to tithe. Well, I am done with that. Don't get me wrong, I am still going to enjoy myself, but I am going to give God what is His. So I am going to tithe again this month. And I am excited about this decision. I love realizations like these that really change perspectives...and create outcomes!

Just had to share...

Daily Blessings

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

My sis has a wonderful blog, entitled daily blessings. It is a blog that shares with us the blessings she sees in her every day life. Today is another Monday, and after my morning routine of dragging myself out of bed, listening to the news, driving to work, and looking at the list on my desk of things I hope to tackle today, her blog came to mind. Why? Because it is another Monday and I caught myself in that Monday mood. You know where you are just "blah" because the weekend is over and you have a whole week before the weekend comes again. So I thought about her blog and thought what better way to get out of this Monday mood then to share the blessings I had this past weekend, but also look forward to the blessings today brings, and tomorrow, and the next day.

First, Friday I had an amazing visit from my sis and Grace at work. They even brought me two dozen cookies ;) and I just loved the surprise visit! Then that evening I spent time with some good friends, enjoying a great dinner, a few haunted houses, and just driving around the area. Saturday I was lucky enough to be able to visit with the Frye's before Amos' football game, then I house sat for a bit ;)...ran a few errands and actually spent time at the park by the lake. Couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day...okay, maybe if it was just a bit warmer! Finished the evening visiting with some wonderful ladies! Sunday included another wonderful church service followed by a little bit of football!

and today....

Well, today's blessings so far include a good conversation with my roommate this morning, having a job I do enjoy, a co-worker bringing in donuts for all of us, the gloves that I remembered to bring today because it is a bit cold in the office ;), a great email from my sister, ....the Bear's game tonight ;), etc....and just the fact that I remembered to think about the blessings in my life...and the blessings that today holds...and tomorrow...and the next day...

Hope you find the time to think about all the blessings in your life! Thanks Jess for that reminder!

Water

WATER

Peaceful, Cleansing, Powerful, Energy, Refreshing, Needed, Pure, Movement, ....Satisfying

Every Detail

This weekend was definitely a busy weekend for me. But something happened, that I just had to share! I had the amazing opportunity to enjoy the beautiful day on Friday. After meeting my sister for lunch, I walked around a park taking pictures of the changing leaves, watching people walk by, and just enjoying the nice day. As I was taking pictures, I once again felt small. I was surrounded by large trees that tower over everything. As I focused on a group of leaves intertwined around one of the branches, I felt as one of those leaves, a small part of the big picture. I stood there just looking around at all that surrounded me, and I realized something. Each of those leaves contributes to the beauty of the tree, of the view. Each leaf was different. And that is what amazed me. I was amazed at what God created. He took care of every detail. He took the time to design each of those leaves...and as much care as He took on that landscape, He has taken that much if not more care on each one of us. As small as I felt at that moment, I felt special! I felt cared for! I felt as though I was designed for a purpose!...Because God took care of every detail!

History...Wake Me Up Please...

I have definitely not been one to get excited about history. Occasionally there are a few past events or people that capture my attention, but for the most part, history does not excite me too much. This morning I came to a realization. While studying Joshua, I read the chapters that list in detail, and in length, the distribution of the land the Israelites controlled after the many battles they fought. Chapter after chapter and page after page were names I really couldn't pronounce...which makes it a bit difficult to understand, unless I made some sort of diagram. That is an idea actually, but not really where I am going with this post.

There are few people, such as myself, who enjoy reading the stories of miracles, love, forgiveness, sacrifice....the life of Christ. But when it comes to the nitty gritty parts of the Bible, the family lines and ancestry, the battles, the division of land, etc...I tend to begin to skim, hoping that when I turn the page I get past the "boring" part to an interesting story or adventure. But, I realized I have missed out on a lot by doing this.

I realized as I read the list of kings the Israelites defeated and I read about the division of land, that though I get confused and may not be able to really remember the names, that just as the "miracle" stories, this history is important! I learned about how the Israelites followed God's commands and instructions. I learned about their human fears and doubts. I learned that God delivered their enemies to them so that they may receive the land He had promised. I learned that God is faithful! I learned that God provides! I learned that the Bible is about more than miracles, and all the "interesting" stories, but about love, promises, and history that reveals the past, a past that helps us understand the present and the future!

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever