Tag Archives: present

Doors

Doors come in all sizes, shapes, and forms.
Some are massive and heavy, small and light, made of wood, metal, glass, etc. and with locks; that you can open and close at will.

Doors

Then there are those doors that are invisible and you can’t see them; but they are there. Some of them will open and some stay locked forever.

These are the doors that require faith. The ones that you can’t physically open; the ones that you can’t always understand why they remain closed; the ones that seemingly force you to take a different path and door.

Not all doors are meant for us; or are good for the well being of our lives. There are hidden traps, disasters, and unknown events that cause havoc upon us.

Then there are some that are seemingly great, but are not meant for us right then; because it is not time for that door to open; or a better door lies ahead.

Understanding this and having the patience to wait is hard, and will take every ounce of your strength to get through. It may take, days, weeks, months, and even years for one to open; but the benefits of waiting are worth the reward that waits upon you.

Be thankful for the blessings of closed doors, detours, and roadblocks. They protect you from paths and places that are not meant for you, your family or your friends.

Lean not on your own understanding, but on your faith.

Revelation 3:8 NIV
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Flaws

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.

Broken

Things are broken all the time. In some instances, they can be repaired, and in others, they must be discarded. There are things that can be replaced and things that will never be replaced.

Broken

The same holds true for people’s lives. There are things in people’s lives that can be repaired, and some that cannot be fixed and must be discarded. Moving on, leaving the broken pieces behind and starting a fresh new life.

Lift your problems to the Lord to repair the broken pieces and bring blessing from them.

New and healing begins where the broken and old ends. ~Charlie Walker

Psalms 34:18 NIV
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Be the One

Be the one that helps others look forward to tomorrow.

The one that gives hope; the one that brings smiles; the one that fills others with love.

Be the one that gives others encouragement to help other people.

Be the one that helps change lives.
Be the one that wants to make a difference.

New Beginnings

As you travel along your journey, keep your eyes focused on the new beginings. Glance back only enough to remember where you came from, but not enough to turn around and go back.
~ Charlie Walker

Cross-Stitch of Life

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

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.