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Good old fashion hard work pays off.

That's it!

Back to work ;)

Psalm 66:6:

 He turned the sea into dry land,
  they passed through the waters on foot—
    come, let us rejoice in him.

To rejoice is to be glad. 

To be glad is to be pleased and/or delighted.

Delight is joy. 

What makes you glad? 

What makes you smile?

What do you run towards?

What brings laughter? excitement? exclamation!? 

Today my boss's 4 year old son came to visit him at work. Now first of all, this is the cutest little boy you can imagine. Now, when he approached the front glass door and caught glimpse of his dad standing behind the counter, this little boy struggled to open the oh-so-heavy door with his oh-so-little 4 year old strength and he rushed straight to his dad with the most excitement I've seen in I don't know how long, as he shouted/screamed with all happiness, "DADDY!!!!!!!!" His father was just in time to meet him half way. This followed with a huge hug and an enamored kind of respect and love for who his dad is. His dad didn't do anything, exactly, in that moment to promote this incredibly focused attention. He was just being who he is and when his son caught a glimpse, he rushed into his daddy's presence, and gave him all the attention he could give, so much adoration and all the honor he knows. 

Will he obey his dad tonight when he's asked to go to sleep or take a bath?

I don't know.

Will he stop crying or whining when his dad asks him to stop?

Will he respond well to discipline?

Who knows. I'm gonna say, probably not every time, unless he is different from any other 4 year old I've ever known. 

But guess what, 

in that moment of rejoicing...

It doesn't matter about the mistakes past or to come. 

His dad loves being loved on.

And loving him back! 

As we are created in God's image it parallels in my mind, my Heavenly Father- GOD loves when I run to Him, with all the love I have to give...because He is who He is- Faithful. Truth. Great Present and Active God who Lavishes His Love On Me. And I can not complain ...I've got to run into his arms and love him.

Grace

lights off, lights on, lights off, lights on...LIGHTS ON!

How often do I look at my job as an opportunity?

Personally, every work day I am given roughly 200-300 shots to make a person's day.

Wow! That's over 1000 opportunities a week!

Now, that's just while I'm at work...

What about all my other weekly encounters?...

Let's say 2 gas station clerks/wk?

The grocery store casher-outers? baggers? carriage pushers?

The 10-15 neighbors I walk by or drive past?

The let's say 40 other people I work out with at a class at the gym...3 times a week...

Man, this list could get quite lengthy.

I mean, come on...theres still stop lights, 4 way stops, classmates, teachers, and don't get me started on the stranger you find yourself waiting in a long line next to.

The more I think on this..the more crystal clear something becomes to me...

I am overwhelmed with opportunity!
Opportunity to spread joy, give encouragement, bring a smile, a laugh, or a warm fuzzy! :)


How 'bout with a wave!? a joke! intentional kindness?


I could hold a door, verbalize a compliment...


I could just be honest.


I could be sincere. 


I could give, share, or embrace. 


I could love.

Now on the deep side of the matter, I have clearly at least 16 hundred opportunities a week to quite possibly: 


save a life, 


change a mind, 


or inspire a human spirit. 

Which, by the way, that last one about the "human spirit" haaappens to be  the mission statement of the company I work for...And I don't think that's a coincidence.

It is time to cease opportunity.
  Coulda, woulda and shoulda won't do a thang.

I've got a lot to give. Nows the time I stop hoarding the love and pour it out.


Jesus said it so well... “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5)


Let your light shine. ;)

Your playing small does not serve the world

Don't forget

-Tonight, just thinkin...


Sometimes big gaps of time can pass from when you received a clear mission and when it becomes "mission completed." For me, that "in-between time" can, at times, become confusing. ...Confusing mostly because I forget why I set off in the direction I did. But!.. if I stay in tune with my God, the one who's name is "The Way" (truth and life), I believe He'll keep me grounded in direction and continue to direct and order my steps.  When I am quieted by His presence and I make a choice to tune into what He's saying, I believe I will be reminded of all I must remember in order to keep on and finish this race marked out for completion.


John 14:26 says, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." -Jesus

Have you lost sight of where you're going? Feeling aimless? 
Quiet down today and hear the reminder. Hear the whisper of truth.

Blessings in the silence,

Grace :)

Also note: 

-Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

-Psalm 119:133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

-2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

I am so glad God wants divine involvement in our lives.