"P" is for PERSEVERANCE

I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to quit - to give up on my dreams - because the road was longer than I expected or the obstacles greater than I thought I could get around.  But quitting would have made me a quitter - and that's something I am NOT!  My only choice was to PERSEVERE through the paperwork and hoops we had to jump through, trusting that God would part the "red tape" and make  a way where there seemed to be no way.

I would never have any of my children if I gave up.

My special needs kids would not be where they are today if I gave up.

And most recently, my book would not be completed and published if I gave up.

It's especially important to PERSEVERE when you're tired and feel like you don't have anymore "oomph" for the process.  It's when I'm pushed to the very limits of my endurance  (and yes, patience) that I feel like throwing up my hands and screaming, "What's the use anyway!"  But I know that's what the devil wants me say because he doesn't want me stepping even an inch closer to God and His purposed intentions for my life.

Don't quit!  Never give up!  And never say, "Never!"  You can do it.  I promise.

"O" is for OPPORTUNITIES

Whether they're suitable occasions or times, or a favorable combination of circumstances, OPPORTUNITIES are just that - OPPORTUNITIES.  But they're only OPPORTUNITIES that will lead us one step closer to our dreams if we recognize them when they come and then act on them.

I remember when, in casual conversation with a person whom I barely knew, he mentioned the name of a ministry who ministered in the adoption arena.  This person didn't know much about me or my family, or the fact that we were interested in adopting more children.   After finishing our brief conversation I made note of the name of the ministry so I could follow up with them later, which I did.  That initial contact began a relationship with this organization that has spanned the years since.  And our last 4 children came to us through their ministry.

That was an OPPORTUNITY, or a "Divine Appointent," that I recognized and acted upon.  What if I had of just let that information go in one ear and out the other? 

OPPORTUNITIES come in all forms, and that's really not the point.  The point is this - we need to be looking for them because they're out there, just like our dreams.   Be proactive.  Gather information.  Talk to people who have "been there, done that."  Glean what you can from others and then act on the knowledge you have.  You just never know where the OPPORTUNITY will take you!  

"N" is for NAYSAYERS

You know who the NAYSAYERS are in your life.  They're the ones that tell you your dreams are too far out there, you shouldn't try to accomplish them, you'll never make it if you try, and worst of all - they're not behind you if you do.

I dare say - stay away from people like that!  They will discourage you to no end, rob you of your joy, and pour water on your passions that once burned bright! 

We need to surround our selves with people who may not understand our dreams, but because of their care and concern for us, they encourage us to press on and never give up! 

There are 3 types of people in the world:  those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who ask, "what happened?"

I like the first group, and I know you do too!

"M" is for MENTOR

I realize I've been MIA for over a week...and I'm sorry about that!  Life bombarded me with other pressing things that needed my undivided attention!  Now that those have been dealt with I can focus on writing once again.  For those of you who missed me, thanks!  :)

MENTOR, MENTORING, MENTORSHIP --- they can mean different things to different people.  What I believe a MENTOR is is this..."someone who exhibits qualities that I, myself, would like to emulate, whom I have asked to help me grow in that particular area."  The dictionary says it's "a wise and trusted teacher" which is true too!  If I want to learn how to do something better, I invite someone who is already doing it to help me do it too!  Thus begins the act of MENTORING, producing a MENTORSHIP.  One teaches by words and example, the other learns.

It's important for us, as we pursue our dreams, to learn from those who have experience and wisdom in those areas.  Being the Lone Ranger and not allowing others to speak into our lives won't be good for us in the long run.  We need each other to learn and grow so we can all be better people.

If you're a MENTOR to someone else, it's because you have something they need and want.  If you're being MENTORED, it's because they have something you need and want.  Let's enjoy the seasons God gives us - learning and growing together as we journey towards our goals. 

"L" is for LAUGHTER

I know, I know....you were expecting "L" to be for love, weren't you?  :)  Today, however, "L" is for LAUGHTER.

Who doesn't like to LAUGH?  I mean, it's the one thing that can make us light-hearted and carefree without ever getting up!  LAUGHTER is definitely an outworking of a merry heart.  And you know what the Bible says about that:

"He who is of a merry heart has a continual feast" (Proverbs 15:15), and, "A merry heart does good, like medicine" (Proverbs 17:22). 

That means that a merry heart is always feeding on life experiences, finding the silver lining, and enjoying the moments.  It never dreads anything.  It looks to the good and praises it even when the good may not be so plain at the moment.  And a merry heart has the capacity to feed others too!

May we all learn to LAUGH and enjoy the moments presented to us.  It's definitely good for what ails us!

"K" is for KINDNESS

KINDNESS is one of my favorite things because it is so easy to do!  It doesn't take any effort at all and can be shared everywhere we go and with everyone we meet.   Offering a simple smile, a warm hello, an understanding nod, even a warm embrace, can make all the difference in the world to someone having a rough day.

KINDNESS is also hospitality, charity, helpfulness, and showing sympathy and understanding.  It's meeting people where they are - on their level - and extending a hand of friendship.  It also means being tolerant, and courteous, and thoughtful, even generous and agreeable.  I mean, how hard is that to do? 

To me, KINDNESS means treating other people like I want to be treated (also known as "The Golden Rule.").  The road that paves our future should be marbeled with KIND words and deeds.  So let's extend KINDNESS liberally! 

"J" is for JOY

JOY is NOT momentary happiness, though it can include it. 
JOY is NOT dependent on what others think or say.
Joy is NOT tied to our emotions.

JOY IS gladness, happiness, and delight that is not based on circumstances, people, or things.  
JOY IS a choice. 
JOY IS available for each and every one of us.

Let's be real.  Life is full of reasons to be downcast, disappointed, dismayed, discouraged, and other "D" words.  But it's also full of reasons to rejoice, and to be glad in, and to celebrate.  The way we approach life - with all of its highs and lows - is up to us.  We can come with expectant, excited, and anticipatory hearts, full of gratefulness and love, or with no expectation or excitement at all.  In that case, life will just happen and we will have no part to play in its outcome.

"The JOY of the Lord is my strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).  That's JOY in the fact that He loves me, saved me, delivered me, healed me, provides for me, restored me, leads me, guides me, makes intercession for me, delights in me, showers me with good gifts, .....  and so much more!  And that joy is what is going to carry us towards our dreams.

May our JOY be contagious!

"I" is for INTEGRITY

INTEGRITY is one of those things that you either have, or don't.  It goes hand-in-hand with character.  The 3 words that describe INTEGRITY more simply are:  "Incorruptibility, Soundness, and Completeness." 

Incorruptibility says, "Even though I may never get caught, I won't deliberately do the wrong thing."

Soundness says, "I know who my God is and the Truth of His Word.  I will not deviate from my path."

Completeness says, "I have all I need in Christ.  I will follow Him and not be divided in my thinking or actions."

I want to be known as a person of my word with the highest INTEGRITY.  The only way to accomplish that is to make sure my actions line up with my words, and vice-versa.   INTEGRITY is essential as we enjoy the gift of life and journey towards our dreams.  With it, we'll have friendships and relationships that will last.  Without it, we'll be lonely and alone.  The choice is yours and mine to make.

"H" is for HONOR

HONOR seems to be a lost virtue in today's society.  Respect for authority, parents, and even one another are on the downhill slide in a rapid way.  When I was growing up, a kid would never even think of calling an adult by his/her first name.  He got his mouth washed out with soap for smarting off, and his backside spanked for misbehaving.  There was a healthy fear of school officials, the law in general, and our parents if we did anything wrong.  Those in positions of authority were held in high esteem, which means they were respected for the positions they held.  It's just not the same today as it was back then.  In some respects, our progressive attitude has cost us so much because of what we've lost in the process.

Giving HONOR is a choice.  It means giving place to those who are older and wiser, and who are "over" us.   It also means valuing their input when they speak into our lives.

Who and what we HONOR is indicative of our heart attitudes.  My prayer is that our hearts would always be in alignment with the Word of God, and therefore always keep us on the right path.

HONOR.  Give it.  Show it.   Acknowledge those worthy of it.

"G" is for GENEROSITY

One of the most important things I've learned as I've journeyed through life and towards my dreams is that of GENEROSITY.  I don't mean GENEROSITY in terms of just finances, but in any and everything we can offer to help our "brother or sister" along the road they're travelling.  We can't be so consumed with our own lives and what we want that we forget about everybody else.  We need to be focused - yes, but not so much so that we tune out those around us and their needs. 

I always think of this Scripture, "The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself" (Proverbs 11:25).  That means, when we share our lives with others - our time, talents, resources, and anything else we have as we are able, others will share their lives with us too.  It's how God desires we care for one another.  It's His economy.

Simply put, generosity prospers a person (in love, friendship, care, and so much more) while stinginess impoverishes (by not allowing the love, friendship, care, etc. to flow back towards us).

God loves it when we're GENEROUS with one another!  So, let's be GENEROUS to the utmost of our abilities! 

"F" is for FAITH

What is FAITH, exactly? 

The dictionary says it's this:  "A confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea or thing; belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence; loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance."

The Bible says it this way:  "Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

FAITIH is a gift.  The more we use it, the more confident we become in His truth, value, and trustworthiness.  The more confident we become, the better witnesses to His goodness we are.  The better witnesses, the more light we dispel.  The more light we dispel, the less darkness in the world.  And that, friends, is the whole idea!

Everybody believes in something.  My prayer is that the whole world would know that it's not a "thing" but rather a "Who" that makes life worthwhile.  FAITH gives us reason to hope.  And hope never disappoints. 

 

"E" is for ENCOURAGEMENT

You already knew what the"E" was for, didn't you?  I suspected as much!  But that's only because it's so easy to do and you all are probably already doing it - alot! 

Everybody needs ENCOURAGEMENT no matter who we are or what we do.  Sometimes those little words - "You can do it!"-or-  "You're going to make it!" -or-  "I believe in you!" are all it takes to make someone's day.  Reminding our friends and loved ones that "their best days are still ahead takes no effort at all.  A big smile, a warm hug, and words to lift their spirits can turn a whole day of disappointment around.  And it makes us feel good too!

Women are fabulous encouragers!  We do it without hardly thinking about it, I know.  So, keep up the good work!  And remember, we need it as much as the next person so don't be afraid to let someone know when you're having a rough time of it.  You can be sure there will be plenty of "love" coming from those you expect it from most...and maybe even from some you didn't!  :) 

"D" is for DREAMS

Have you ever sat and thought about what you'd do with the money if you won the lottery?  I have, and it's really fun!  I will never win though because I don't play the lottery, but it gives me great joy and satisfaction to think about how I'd divvy out the funds to everyone I know!  My church, my family, and my friends would be so blessed, as would many service organizations and missionaries!  I'm one who would definitely "share the wealth" because I'm a giver at heart.

That's how dreams are. We sit, and we think.  We imagine the possibilities.  We dare to let our minds wander far beyond our wildest imaginations .  The answers to the "what if" questions are answered as we speculate how our lives would be "if only" we had what we needed to make our dreams come true.

That's just it!  We DO have everything we need to make our dreams come true.  If our lives are submitted to the Lord Jesus Christ, and we are walking with Him day by day, then the dreams He has implanted into our hearts are every bit within our reach! 

We should never let our dreams of family, or ministry, or whatever it is, die!  We should always trust God!  No matter how long it takes...no matter what obstacles we face....we need to keep going!   As we imagine our final outcomes, He will give us strategies to help make our dreams become a reality because that's how He is.  He delights in showing us the way.   

"C" is for CHARACTER

Thought I would do a little math this afternoon.  :)

Just like 1 + 2 = 3, A + B = C.  In other words, our attitude, combined with our behavior, determines our CHARACTER.  And CHARACTER is reputation - what we're known for or by.  Truly, our CHARACTER is who we are when nobody's looking.  It's the real us. 

I've struggled with my attitude at times.   How about you?    As a result, my behavior wasn't particularly flattering either.  I'm not proud of it - I'm just being honest.  People don't "make me" think one way or another - and they don't "make me" act a particular way either.  In fact, no one "makes me" do anything.  I choose every day how to think, how to act,  and definitely how to respond to situations.  It's my baby.  So, if my CHARACTER isn't what I want it to be, I need to make a few adjustments.  But that's the easy part (if we're willing) because God delights in helping us to be more like Him.

Attitude.  Behavior.  CHARACTER.  They're foundational traits that will either equip and uphold us as we pursue our dreams, or hold us back.  So, let's soar as we surrender to His will and His ways.  He has a good future for all of us.




 

"B" is for BEHAVIOR

BEHAVIOR is alot like attitude, which we talked about yesterday.  While attitude is formed in the mind and is based on what we think, BEHAVIOR is an outworking of our attitude.  That's why its so important to have a good (RIGHT) attitude!  Appropriate BEHAVIOR is a code of conduct in a proper way.  As Christians, simply put, it's acting like "little Christs."  If Jesus didn't do it, then we shouldn't either.  If He did do it, then we should do it all the more! 

There's a verse in Scripture that comes to mind - "I will behave wisely in a perfect way.  Oh, when will You come to me?  I will walk within my house with a perfect heart" (Psalm 101:2).

That doesn't mean we will never make mistakes, or that we have to be stiff and rigid in our attempts to do everything right.  It does mean that our goal should be to honor the Father with everything we say and do.  Our BEHAVIOR needs to line up with the words we profess to believe.  For Christians, that's the Word of God.

Can we still have fun and be silly?  Absolutely!  (I'd be in trouble were it not so.).  Jesus didn't give us an abundant life and then tell us not to enjoy it and have fun.   For us dreamers - those of us who want everything that life has to offer, BEHAVIOR also means declaring our faith no matter what's going on around us or happening to us.  Christians' lives aren't perfect.  We have challenges every day.  But our posture - our demeanor - our BEHAVIOR, should always be a reflection of the One in Whom we believe.

So!  First, we need to think right.  Second, we need to act right.  And tomorrow we'll look at the letter "C."  Are you ready?

"A" is for ATTITUDE

Our ATTITUDE will always determine our altitude.  What do I mean by that?  Let's first look at the meaning of the word before I launch into my premise.

Attitude, according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is this:  "a position of the body or manner of carrying oneself, indicative of a mood or condition; a state of mind or feeling with regard to some matter; disposition."

The key words here are "position, mood, and feeling."  "State of mind" sums it up perfectly.

In other words, what we think really matters!  My husband always says, "Whether we think we can, or think we can't, we're right."  Do we believe that we are made in God's image, and that our dreams are attainable?  Do we believe it even when we're having a bad day and the odds seem to be against us?  Do our minds soar with possibility and expectation, or are we defeated before we even get started?

Joyce Meyer said this just yesterday on Facebook, "Keep a good attitude no matter what is going on in your life" (Col. 3:2).  

If our attitudes are right,  nothing will faze us...meaning, nothing will "disrupt our composure," and might I add - focus!  Even if the whole world seems to be falling apart all around us, if our attitude is right, we, personally, will still be moving forward! 

Yes, ATTITUDE is everything.  With it we'll fly high with a happy heart, causing others to want to be like us or with us; or with it we'll wallow in self-pity, blame, and judgment of others, causing others to want to keep their distance..  The choice is ours to make. 

Alphabet Soup

I love soup, don't you?  The best kinds are when I have leftovers in the frig to add to the pot - like veggies or meat, or even noodles.  I start with the basics and build from there.  All of the ingredients, when mixed together, make something wonderfully hot and delicious and definitely worth waiting for!  Just the smell of it simmering on the stove makes my mouth water. 

As I was thinking about where to go with my blog, I thought about soup - why, I can't rightfully say.  (No, I'm not hungry at the moment, though it IS cold outside.)  Then, because my mind wanders in 100 different directions at any given moment, I thought about ALPHABET soup and all of the different letters that float around in each spoonful.  Then it hit me!  In order to be successful in our efforts as we move toward our dreams, there's some "basics" we need to start with.  Just like a builder can't build the house without a proper foundation, we can't easily move towards our goals if we have some holes in our core.  

So, for the next 26 days (except Sundays) we're going to journey through the ABC's of foundational truths that are essential to our overall outcome.  If we get these down and positioned properly, we'll be well down the road to a happy and prosperous tomorrow!  Stay with me - it's going to be a good ride, I promise.

Tomorrow is "A."  Can you guess what word that is for?

Food For Thought

I wanted to start my blog with this cute little thing I found on Facebook because it sums up my thoughts perfectly.  When I was told I would never have a family, I had to make a CHOICE.  Accept the words of the doctor and live childless the rest of my life, or decide to pursue my dreams through adoption.  I took a CHANCE - in spite of the horror stories I had heard, and walked toward my destiny.  The CHANGE came when our family grew from my husband and I to a family of 7 kids, 1 daughter-in-law, and 2 granddaughters. 

The point is this - if we don't make the choice to take a chance, our lives will never change.

And if we want something bad enough, it's worth our efforts, no matter what obstacles we face or how long it takes.

Be encouraged!  Life is full of opportunities.  Will we choose to take a chance so that our lives will change?  I hope so!