Tag Archives: patience

Cross-Stitch of Life

Leave a reply

Cross-stitch is a beautiful piece of work when completed.

Cross-Stitch of Life

The hours spent pulling different colors of thread through a fabric, in X shaped stitches to create a scene, patterns, phrases, flowers, people, and so many other things are a skilled piece of artwork. The beauty of the finished product is stunning for all to behold.

The hidden backside of it, though, is a complete mess. Thread going from one spot to another, in a gridded pattern, using different stiching patterens at times, that ends up looking like a bowl of spaghetti. A complete disaster that is often hidden and unseen when completed, and so different than what the finished piece is seen by others.

People are much like a cross-stitch piece. We see the beauty and outward appearance of a seemingly happy and wonderful human being. What we mostly do not see is the mess and turmoil deep inside, that is hidden from the world.

The distress of everyday life that causes chaos deep within. The smile and the persona that hides all of the inward battles and is projected in a beautiful smile, a kind action or word.

However; there is the cleaner version of cross-stitch. The version that took more time and work to make the front a work of art and the back cleaned up and neat.

People are exactly like that, and go through that same transformation when they work on their inner self. A cleaned up and better projected inner version that is amazing for themselves and for the world to see.

All it takes is a little work, dedication, faith, belief, effort, and a willingness to make ourselves beautiful inside and out, leaving a masterpiece for all to see.

Be the cross-stitch master piece in life.

1 Peter 3:4 NIV
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Weakness

Leave a reply

Weakness is a trait that everyone has in some form or fashion. It covers different facets of our lives.

It may be in the form of a physical lack of strength, good health, firmness, vigor, or feebleness.

It may be a lack of effort, energy, enthusiasm, or a feeling of an inadequate or defective quality in a person’s character.

It might be a self-indulgent liking or special fondness of something or an object of special desire; something very difficult to resist, like chocolates, candy, soft drinks, tv, hobbies, etc.

Then there are those weaknesses of addictions, habits, drinking, gambling, smoking, self-loathing, and so forth.

No weakness is greater than another. They are all as hard as the next and everyone has their own struggles with them.

How we handle them, seek help for them, and work on getting through and past them that matters. Prayer, counseling, the ear of a friend, self-help, and even groups can help.

Never consider a weakness as a failure; it is a part of life that we face, and from our weaknesses come our strengths, and our best qualities arise for all to see.

Your weakness is your super power.

Isaiah 40:29 NIV
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.


2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Practice

Leave a reply

Practice is used in everything in life.
It is said that practice makes perfect.

Practice

Though it may or may not make things perfect, it does make things and us far better in so many ways.

Practice is not just reserved for sports, athletics, musical instruments, singing, and so on. Practicing having a good mental attitude, being polite, helping others, praising all, respecting people, encouragement, self-improvement, and the list goes on.

Practice being the best that you can possibly be, doing the best in everything you do, and treating others the best that you can is the best practice that you could ever do.

Practice makes us as perfect as we possibly can be; if we are only willing to do it.

Romans 12:13 NIV
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Worry

Leave a reply

Worry clouds the mind, removes the joy, causes anxiety, and robs your life of happiness.

Worry less, enjoy happiness and live a good life.

Luke 12:25 NIV
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?

Celebrate Life

Leave a reply

Celebrate life

Celebrate Life


Celebrate life at the start of each and every day that you wake up. Sing praises and count your blessings for the health you have, the breath you take, the steps you walk, the food you have, a place to live, transportation, money, employment, family, friends, and everything else that we take for granted.

Enjoy the life you have and the journey that you are on, no matter if you are in the valley or the mountain tops, and be grateful for it all.

Spread love, hope, and a positive attitude to everyone. Help all you can, anytime you can and be the example for others to follow. Tell people that you love them often and how important they are to you and to others. Forgive those that hurt you with words and actions and show them kindness and love.

Make your life, your family and friends more important than work and other things that may rob you of your joy.

Praise the Lord for all that He provides for you.

Celebrate the life that you have been blessed with.

Matthew 6:9‭-‬13 KJV

Focus

Leave a reply

Focus

Focus! How many times have you heard that in your life?

Focus

It is such a simple term, something that seems so easy to do, but can be lost in an instant. We start fine, our mind trained on what we need to do, then poof, just like that we are thinking of something else.

We have that “Squirrel Effect”. We can’t decide which way to go and we find ourselves stuck in the middle of the road with oncoming traffic. Our minds drift to other things and we lose sight of what we are doing. We think we have it; we call it multitasking or too many tabs open. But we keep loading things onto our plates, filling them to the brim, burying what we were working on, and shifting our focus all over the place and to other things. Before we know it, we have lost track of the original thought pattern and what we were focused on, scrambling to get back to what we needed to get done.

Keeping your focus takes work, determination, and a mindset that is void of detractions. Putting on the blinders to block out all things around, saying no to oncoming things, or setting them aside for later. It takes a lot of effort, willpower, and a desire to finish a task at hand before taking on another. Like a set of binoculars, when it becomes out of focus, everything blurs together, making it hard to see.

Remind yourself to focus on what is at hand when other things fill your mind. Do not let distractions, people, events, work, and other things take away from what you are trying to get done. Prioritize what needs to come first and work on it, then move to the next when completed. Take a step back, relax, take a deep breath, pray, remove the confusion, stress, and anguish created by a lack of focus, and turn it into a positive outlook and accomplishment.

Focus on your focus. Remain steadfast and make room for the peace that is rewarded at the end.

Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Restoration

Leave a reply
Restoration

Restoration is the act of returning something to its former or like new condition.

Many people restore antiques, furniture, vehicles, homes, and the list goes on. Some do it for a living, and some do it for the simple pleasure, the experience of it, and that rewarding feeling of seeing something that is old, neglected, or broken and returning it to its original or former condition.

We humans are just like all of those other things. Our bodies change, our health, and, most importantly, our mindset. Some will have surgery done for the cosmetic parts and some will have surgery to replace broken parts such as hips or knees, but the mental part is the hardest. Counselors, Phycologists, and others can help in the process, but our own mindset, faith and determination are the answer.

Restoring our minds is an essential need for a healthy life. Removing negative thoughts, actions, anger, bitterness and the negative mindset is essential. Replacing it with positive thoughts, filling it with love, compassion, forgiveness and happiness is what is needed to cleanse the mind.

Cleanse the mind daily, multiple times and as long as needed. Take time to release the pressures of work, events, and the stresses of the day to rejuvenate and restore it to the beautiful mind that it is.

Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

The Extra Mile

1 Reply

Going that extra mile is a cliché that so many use as a term rather than giving the phrase the impact it deserves. It is a simple term, yet is very complex in it’s variety of meanings.

Going the extra mile is going above and beyond, having a desire to give more than is expected; reaching out and helping people, doing things without being asked or expected, caring enough to dig deeper within one’s self to do more, without self-grattitude or motives.
It is the willingness to go the extra mile for another person or people with a caring heart and loving attitude.

Always go that extra mile for yourself and for others, because the blessings and the joy that it brings, is worth every step of the way.

The Extra Mile

Matthew 5:41 NIV
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

Eye on the Prize

1 Reply

The “Eye on the Prize” is a wonderful term. One that is used by athletes, motivationalists, coaches, teachers, and more. Though it is used as a term associated with winning or success, it is far deeper than that. It is beyond a trophy, an award, or achievement.

It is about focus, direction, determination, will power, feelings, strength, a positive attitude, achievement, a driving source deep inside, or a spiritual desire. The prize can be about raising your children, a graduating child, a wish, a dream, creating a happy home, a new job, helping someone, overcoming adversity, or a servere illness. It can be something simple or more complex, and anything that you want bad enough to strive for, desire and want for yourself or for others.

The prize is knowing you did everything you could or were led to do, to the best of your ability and feeling the overwhelming peace, satisfaction and excitement of obtaining the prize.

Let your “Eye on the Prize” be a beautiful experience and journey filled with excitement and joy.

Philippians 3:14 NIV
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Your “But” is a road block

5 Replies
Your “But” is a roadblock

Your “But” is a roadblock that usually gets in the way. It pops up when you feel lazy, intimidated, scared, anxious, overwhelmed, having a lack of confidence, or when you are stepping out of your comfort zone. It is a quick response or an excuse to avoid doing something that we don’t want to do.

It rises quickly and stays, seating roots that make it hard to get rid of and then at times consuming you so much that it can create self-doubt, negative feelings, resentful emotions, anger and even depression.

Recognizing it quickly and taking a positive stance against it before it reigns is the key. Seeking help from a professional or from a friend for strength and comfort can be the change you need. Knowing the signs before it is upon you and standing your ground against it in the beginning is a win.

There is power within each and every one if you only dig deep and be humble enough to seek help when we need it. Don’t let pride stand in the way, causing you to battle it alone.

Be strong, fight the fight, never give in and, “Get your But out of your way” and you will have victory over Darkness.