Prosperity

I miss you, Haiti. And I hope to see you again!

Here's a photo of one of my favorite moments while in Haiti. 

I love everything about this memory!

There is nothing like escaping the world's commotion by embracing the heart of a child.

A child reminds me of the peace and joy that does not require explanation.

We had just finished ministering at the women's conference. There were hundreds of Haitian women lined up to receive clothes and shoes and other products. 

It was hot. Let me emphasize:

Haiti was hot!

And the atmosphere, we were in, was sweaty, crowded, and slightly chaotic.

Remember, Haiti has desperate needs.

This beautiful young lady (top photo) seemed not to have a care in the world...

No worry. No discomfort at all.

Just peace. 

I was drawn to that peace.

It's hard for me to understand why she didn't have, even, a trace of worry.

I mean, even as I think back now, I couldn't catch a glimpse of discomfort in her eyes. 

I could have looked all around and told her hundreds of reasons 

why she should feel less than content in her circumstances.

Yet, she seemed to be just fine.

..............................................................

Yesterday my power was out at the house. 

No lights, no outlets, no fridge, no charging my phone for nearly... 16 hours!

It was frustrating and very uncomfortable for me.

I felt as if I couldn't function properly.

It was while I was attempting to shower last night,
in the pitch darkness, that my mind traveled
all the way back to Haiti. 

I'd say about 98% of the people I encountered while in that country for a week,

had no lights, no outlets, no fridge,

no phone (to charge), no bed, no a/c, no car, no roof,
no showers.

.................

And I have resolved:

that I'm fine.

I am actually far beyond just "fine"!!

I'm blessed- beyond measure!!!

God, I thank you for all you've given me.

I am unworthy

 yet you've drenched my life 

with prosperity.

Prosperity that most of the world has never known.

May peace be with you tonight.

May you, too, be aware of all that's been given you. 

And give thanks about it!

Thanks for reading.

Goodnight.

Patience in love

First

Love is patient.

  

Love is... 

kind

 It does not envy or boast

It is not proud or rude

or self seeking

Not easily angered

Keeps no record of wrongs

Does not delight in evil

Rejoices in the truth!

Love...

Always protects, Always trusts, Always hopes

and Always perseveres.

Love never fails.

Are you willing to wait?

[something to think about]

No Excuses

Yup, that pretty much covers it all ;)
Happy New Year and all that jazz.. Now, can we make it happen?


YES! Have a great week! :)

Make Like Nike...

When it comes to reasoning my way around or out of something, I think I could be considered a pro. But let's get real people...sometimes you gotta "just do it."  Tonight I'm dubbing this my statement to over-ride all legit and illegitimate excuses that sway from the focus during this semester (and realistically furthermore, but let's not get toooo far ahead of ourselves... takin' it one stepping stone at a time ;)).

Let's  get real and do the job.

So are you in or are you out?

You decide.

The Real Deal

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I can not believe I haven't published a blog in so long! It's been a "nutty" time for me. When I say "nutty," I mean its just been a month of figuring out, realizing, remembering, learning, and ups down curves turns swirves and pulls! So.... I haven't wanted to sit down and write. ;) My one track mindedness sometimes says to me, "don't publish a word till you've got sanity." lol and...well, I listen. Words are weighty, I say and if I get into my whole philosophy on that subject matter, I may very well end up deleting my whole blog. (eek) Buuut, gratefully, thats not what I'm here to talk about!.. I signed in tonight to say...

Man, no matter what's going on in life, no matter how much you feel you're lacking at times, no matter how much you strive and yearn to know or grasp or obtain more...thankfulness (and reason for it) remains. Sometimes you gotta push aside the "feelings" and go to the facts...and as a matter of fact: I'VE GOT LOADS AND BUNCHES AND BASKETS FULL AND OVERFLOW TO BE THANKFUL FOR! I've got much more than a blogs worth to thank Jesus for giving me. For starters, LIFE. Whew, that's a biggy. And then we go into family, a comfort I can not imagine life without. I mean, really, how often do you even think about what it may be like to not know your parents...? ...If you're a sibling, like I am, to be without? I mean, wow, I can't imagine so many parts of my life without these guys. They're a team that no matter what happens, I can't get kicked off of. I love that! And they're a part of my heart, so truly.

What are you thankful for this year? How has sitting down and thinking about the FACTS changed your mind and attitude of LACK?

Lack is the absence of something needed.


Some sources list some of these as essentials to a healthy human life-

food.
water.
shelter.
clothing.
a source of income.

Of these, I lack none. And beyond here, I possess much more.

This holiday season I am thankful beyond words for my health, for my car that gets me to and from my job that I love. I am blessed by the comfort of a beautiful home, the company of a loving family, and relationships that are honest and growing. I am happy to live where I live, think without any struggle, and use decision making with absolute freedom. I am so glad to be loved and to know God who loves people. I am fulfilled in my calling to be called a child of God and to know His plans for my life are with out defeat. I am more than a conqueror and I'm so thankful that it was not left up to me to win the battle. Jesus.

Be real this thanksgiving. What are you thankful for?

Enjoy your holiday, however, wherever, and with whomever you may be. Know that no matter what your circumstance, there is hope.

Thank you for reading.

Grace Joy

"One of those days"

Today was just "one of those days."

"Huh?"

Yeap, I'm talkin' about "one of thooose days!"

Ya know, the days when you...

Wake up a little after the alarm, rested.

Find the out-fit that looks-right the first time around.

Do the eye shadow- even...and it compliments you, so well!

It was "one of those days" where even though you ran a little late, you showed up at just the right time.

And even though you skipped breakfast, lunch really hit the spot. 


It was "one of those days" with some down time, but not enough of it to get bored;
With an agenda, but not enough scheduled to get busy or stress...

One of those real enjoyable catch up with an old friend, laugh at a comedian, sing with an artist, listen to a story, feel your heart moved, get real honest with yourself and with God, kinda nights.

And I'm satisfied. 

This week, I've been looking at 1 Timothy 6, in the b-i-b-l-e...

I'm no expert on the passage so I'm not posting a sermon tonight...

but ya know, that "But godliness with contentment is great gain." talk,..
and the whole concept of "For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it."

...Maybe it begins with enjoyment and recognizing the multitudes of blessings already at hand.

Maybe it comes with the here and now.. Not wishin' for more but merely embracing the much that you have.

Not striving for something "better" but knowing that what you've got is priceless.

I know "more" seems and sounds nice, and I don't wanna deny blessings, but todays "one of those days," when I feel like I actually get it. 

I've got so much. I AM blessed.

Thank you Lord.

<3 Grace

 I am reading a book titled, What's So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey. So far, so good. It's definitely making me think and evaluate some beliefs and mindsets and heart-sets, for lack of a better term,  of my own. :)

Tonight I'd just like to share a little somethin' I read this evening from Chapter 7- "An Unnatural Act"

Yancey writes:

..."I came across these words from Helmut Thielicke, a German who lived through the horrors of Nazism:

This business of forgiving is by no means a simple thing...We say, "Very well, if the other fellow is sorry and begs my pardon, I will forgive him, then I'l give in." We make of forgiveness a law of reciprocity. And this never works. For then both of us say to ourselves, "The other fellow has to make the first move." And then I watch like a hawk to see whether the other person will flash a signal to me with his eyes or whether I can detect some small hint between the lines of his letter which shows he is sorry. I am always on the point of forgiving...but I never forgive. I am far too just. 

The only remedy, Thielicke concluded, was his realization that God had forgiven his sins and given him another chance- the lesson of the parable of the unforgiving servant. Breaking the cycle of "ungrace" means taking the initiative. Instead of waiting for his neighbor to make the first move, Thielicke must do so, defying the natural law of retribution and fairness. He did this only when he realized that God's initiative lay at the heart of the gospel he had been preaching but not practicing. 

At the center of Jesus' parables of grace stands a God who takes the initiative toward us: a lovesick father who runs to meet the prodigal, a king who cancels a debt too large for any servant to reimburse, an employer who pays eleventh-hour workers the same as the first-hour crew, a banquet-giver who goes out to the hightways and byways in search of undeserving guests." 

(What's So Amazing About Grace, p. 91)

We are shown the greatest example of grace by our Heavenly Father. Pondering that...

Maybe more commentary later.

I hope this speaks to you, dear reader! ;) 

rest&love 

Grace Joy