When someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does He give them the opportunity to be patient?
If they prayed for courage, do you think God gave them courage? Or do you think He gives them the opportunity to be courageous?
If they prayed for the family to be closer, do you think he gives them warm fuzzy feelings? Or does God give them the opportunity to love one another.
The best gifts given in life are the opportunities that we have to explore and learn on our own. Be thankful for the ability given to us to learn daily and cherish those the blessings forever.
Have you taken your opportunities lately?
Proverbs 3:13 NIV Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,
Your past is important to remember; but not always a place to dwell on or live in.
Your past
The past is a very important part of our lives. There are parts that are good, parts that are not so good, wonderful things that were learned; mistakes that were made, friends, experiences, and events that happened on your journey.
There were all kinds of things and people that happened along the way; crossing our paths for one reason or another. Some were temporary, some lasting for years, some for a moment in a time; some that were meant to help with something, and some that were meant to last a lifetime.
Things happen in our lives that change us, make us better, stronger, wiser, wealthier, and even more humble. These are the things that you can never forget; as they helped to make you who you are today.
Never forget where you came from. That past is what helped to get you where you are today and make you who you are today.
God created us in his own image, and exactly like he wanted; building our character is up to us. Learn from your past, and count your blessings everyday for them.
Let your past make you better; not bitter, and never forget those who helped along the way.
Genesis 1:27 NIV So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
The environment that you surround yourself in, effects your attitude.
Environment
Changing your environment can, and will change your attitude. Don’t let conditions, things, people, or circumstances bring you down. Making a change, will change your whole life.
Stay positive, make changes, and lead a healthier and happier life.
Flaws What we think is a flaw, sometimes is what makes someone or something so very special.
Flaws
Flaws show up in many ways. Some are visual; like a crack, blemish, a mark, a chip, a knothole in wood, or a distortion in a pattern. Some are invisible that we only think we can see; then some are not flaws at all; but are something very beautiful that appears uniquely different.
At first glance we look and see something that we think is hideous, unsightly, or unworthy.
We tend to focus on the imperfections and flaws so much; that we miss the actual beauty that the flaw gives to the masterpiece itself.
Humans do the same thing with their lives. They focus on the imperfections and flaws that they see. They begin to see things that they think are flaws; extra wrinkles, love handles, gray hair, droops and sags, and a variety of other things that bring on anxieties and self-doubt.
No matter how much they fight against it and try to ignore the flaws, self-doubt creeps in; causing anxiety and distress. The battle to once again seek perfection, creates hurt, anguish, conjures blame, denial and resentment; that robs them of the joy and the actual beauty inside and out.
Our idea of perfection is not the same as the ideas of others and God’s; that we tend to ignore and not listen to.
Instead; we should realize the beauty in all the flaws and imperfections that we think we see. Knowing that we were created by an incredible, awe-inspiring Creator just as we were meant to be. Each and everyone, made similar, but very uniquely in our own ways, that creates the value and self-worth that is very special and very priceless.
Flaws are never bad; they are a blessing and a thing of beauty in the creation of all things.
Embrace your flaws; show the world and yourself how special you really are.
Psalms 139:14 NIV I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Balancing your daily life can be quite the task. With work, family, chores, children, school, hobbies, church, errands, and other outside distractions; days, weeks, and even months can become hard.
Balance your life
Prioritizing and finding the time to fit it all in can become extremely stressful: especially if you are doing it alone. Like a juggler; you can only have so many balls in the air; before you begin to drop some.
Understanding that it is only possible to fit so many things into one day and that some things must wait is the key. Removing things that are not essential; is perfectly fine and does not make you a failure.
Being humble is ok; and asking for help from friends or family can save your sanity, your health and your family.
Find that balance for a healthier, happier and more stress-free life.
Psalms 68:19 NIV Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
Don’t let it consume you or define you. Rise above it; turn it around; and move forward. A good attitude and determination will bring you through all things.
Every day is a new day and a fresh start to your life. Live it the best you can and enjoy each moment of it. Life is too precious not to.
Pruning branches on a tree or plants; help the trunk to grow stronger, shaping it to become healthier, grow better; yielding better leaves, fruit or flowers.
Prune the branches in you life, shaping it to produce a healthier, happier and more vibrant life.
Matthew 7:18 NIV A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.