STUCK IN A CUL-DE-SAC?

Talked recently with someone who was having trouble in a relationship. He had become frustrated trying to decide to stay in the relationship or get out. It didn’t seem to be a problem with the person; she had character, was giving healthy contributions, as they spent time with each other.

We can find answers if we ask ourselves some pointed questions when deciding if a person is best for us. One question to ask is, “does this person add value to my life? Or, are they draining me?” With this question, it gives us a picture of what’s going on in the here and now. It is healthy to move forward in life with people who surround us with good character, with life building stones adding to the foundation of our lives. And I want to ask, “Am I investing”? This scripture comes to mind, Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

After listening for about 20 minutes, a pattern appeared. He was going in circles, trying to decide to stay in or break-up. I found out he had called it off several times in the last months, already. As he told of his dilemma to his buddies, they threw in their advice, formulas coming from their experiences in their own relationships, I am sure!

By now, I had enough information, I said loudly, “STOP”, taking a chance, but my plan worked. He stopped, then I was able to point out that it sounded as though he was living in a Cul-de-sac. He had entered innocently and was now stuck as if riding a bike round and round, seeing nowhere to get out. Oh! once in a while someone would wander by or he would call out and someone would come over and give advice. He had heard it all, so why wasn’t it “fixing” his life? Well one answer is, we have to decide for ourselves, making our own choices, based on our life plan. That is why it is so important to have a Life Plan. It does take the first step to take a risk, maybe even getting hurt once in a while or falling off the “bike of life”. Life is about making choices and people sometimes are a part of them, along the way. This might sound too simple but it is true.

The Cul-de-sac has an entrance and an exit. It may feel scary to finally drive out the exit, but it’s where life happens and we will make it. Life’s an adventure! It’s made up of taking risk. If we make a mistake, so what! We might have to pay something for it, or even fall down but we can get up, brush ourselves off and get going. As we move forward, look out the windshield and not the rear view mirror, it is only for backing up. Life takes on new meaning with a clean slate, one you can add what we want on it! God has blessed us with a life unique to us. He gave us a life and the freedom of choice. However, this brings responsibility. Acting responsibly brings a healthy life and great relationships! Can’t wait for a progress report in two weeks...

THE BENEFIT OF JOURNALING

There are benefits in journaling and here’s why. It allows you to look back, seeing what went on in your life months or years past. You can learn a lot about yourself. I like encouraging others to practice this and hearing later how they see the benefits, also. They discover like I have, that it is a valuable "ME TIME". Looking back over my years of writing, I ran across this entry. This one reminded me to take notice, to keep working on good healthy habits and most of all, keep working on my relationship with my Heavenly Father. Look what I was doing on the day of 1/29/93.

Wow! This was a Divine Appointment!! I met Mrs. Allen today, while at Rainbow Natural Foods, in Decatur, GA. I was standing there, observing what I saw going on near me. This little lady was scooting around with her friend telling her what she needed to buy, you couldn’t help but listen, my thoughts were, the store must have hired her to give all this advice. She was so little and feisty, to say the least. I had to look down to her and I’m 5ft 2, she must have been less than 5 feet. She said she was born in 1911, became a Christian in 1948 and the Great Physician was her doctor. It was very evident, she was independent but very dependant on her Heavenly Father…with much convince!! She went on to tell me, her favorite scripture was Psalms 103, and kept telling me that over and over though out our conversation. I ask her what she did each morning for her devotions. She said, “Well, I get up and start in the book of James and he says to humble myself before Him, then to resist the devil.” Then she said, “then, I say Lord, what will you have me do today?” Quickly, she looked straight in my face and said, “So what do you do?” I was stunned with conviction, having a hard time giving her my answer. I came home and did a review on my relationship with Father and relationship with myself in the way I attend to my Spirit, Soul and Body…. that He created.

I wonder what has happen to that lady I met 13 years ago? She would be 93 now. I have a feeling if I went back to that store today I could here her voice and see her running back and forth helping someone obtain good health and sharing her faith in the One who matters most to her!

(An update: was back at Rainbow last year 2009 and ask one of the workers if they remembered Mrs. Allen, they said “Oh Yes! Who can forget Mrs. Allen? We all remember her. I looked around and could still feel her presence, thinking as I stood there, how our lives make a statement and can still go on even after our departure! I want to make a difference just like that little lady who had a big voice still lingering in that place)

A DIVINE APPOINTMENT....

My Thoughts Today…

A DIVINE VISIT FROM GOD VIA A FRIEND

Where have I been you ask? Well all I can say is just busy, doing stuff that doesn’t matter or does matter. Life can take on new meaning each day maybe some good and maybe some bad. It is up to me to live one way or the other. That’s deep isn’t it?!!!

Well anyway, I am here and telling my story as it unfolds… again. Since I posted last so much water has gone under the bridge. Today is a new day a new beginning. I want to tell you about my day today. That is a good place to start. I had just closed my Bible reading for the morning and was shocked to hear my “ding” sound that meant I had mail. I clicked on my email button and there it was a friend had sent me a message or was it Father though my friend? It had to be the latter, because I had just finished reading some of what she had sent in my daily reading, is that weird or what? No! when it is work out of the Heavenlies nothing surprises me! ………

Here is what I got from God via Elizabeth, I would say….

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace...
1Corinthians 14:13

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ , he is a new creation: the old has gone,
The new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17

For I know the plans I have for you, not plans to harm you, to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

He knew us in fellowship while we were with Him, always on His mind before He
Seeded his love through us to grow with Him here.

We serve a Sovereign Loving Father, praise Him! What an honor to just spend time with Him!
Enjoy your new day! Expect your blessings painted with your details!
Love you!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

So where do I go with this and what does it say to me. Well for me I feel so much peace, knowing my life in the control of a Father that loves me so much it is beyond words!

His Word is powerful and maybe this could be for you too! READ IT AND SEE…..

And another thing! When you feel moved by Holy Spirit to contact a person with a caring thought, don’t hesitate, you see what happen to me today? I am so grateful my friend Elizabeth was sensitive to my needs though Father allowing Him to love me though her…that’s what it’s about Friends and this is Christ as Life at it’s best!