Category Archives: Goals

Mar12

DAY 71 (2014)

Posted on March 12, 2014 by lsgrlr

The journey is dictated by the choices we make. Even when both choices are good.

I have done a lot today. Now I have a lot to think about. Have you ever had to choose between two options that are both good? One road leaves everything mostly the same, with a few changes here and there. While the other road changes everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. I know that God has been leading me toward change. However, right now I am trying to figure out which road He wants me to take. Who knew that choosing right was harder when both choices were good. I have been contemplating whether this is one of those times, where it just boils down to what’s best for all parties involved. But I don’t see God as the “lesser of two evils” type. Today my devotion said this: Wait. Trust. Hope. I think He may be trying to tell me something. So my plan is this I will WAIT for Him to make the choice clear. I will TRUST that His plans for me are perfect and just. Why? Because God doesn’t lie (Hebrews 6:18). As I wait and trust, I will put my HOPE in Him. Sounds like a good plan, doesn’t it? I come up with good ones from time to time 😉 .

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (John 14:1).

So what’s my plan of attack? Wait. Trust. Hope.

Mar11

DAY 70 (2014)

Posted on March 11, 2014 by lsgrlr

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We make our plans, but God directs our path. Let Him be your journey’s guide.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

I have been listening to God for something very specific. Something that He laid on my heart and told me to trust Him for. In the interim I have been trying every road that looked like it would get me closer to the promise. Oddly, as I have been doing my quiet time the Lord has been showing me the importance of not finding my own road, but waiting for Him to reveal the road I am to travel. I, however, have never been the immediately obedient type. No, I usually have to fail over, and over, and over again before logic kicks in. Wanna guess how “the following my own road” has been going. Yup, you’re right…Not well. I am on vacation right now and during this time of “doing nothing”, God has been teaching me (oddly until today I didn’t even realize I was learning). Today I received an email that may or may not be the thing that changes my future from this point on. The point, we make the road harder when we hear God’s direction, but try to reach it on our own. It remains to be seen where this new road will take me… However, this time I won’t be achieving it in my own strength.

Feb7

DAY 38 (2014)

Posted on February 7, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Life can surprise us. In a GOOD way.

Life can be surprising. In a GOOD way. Even when things are not perfect you can still see that light at the end of the tunnel. Everyday will bring its own special rainbow after the storm. Today I had great conversation with my mom, just talking about where we are now, mentally, physically, spiritually. If you knew where we came from, and what we had to go through to get here, you’d understand why she marveled and thanked God for what He has done. Our life is not perfect (no one’s is, not even the wealthiest person), we struggle, we fight. But everyday in small tiny ways life surprises us in a good way. That’s just how God is 🙂 .

“I promise that I’ll bless you with everything I have—bless and bless and bless” (Hebrews 6:14, The Message Bible).

So what’s my plan of attack? Enjoy life’s little surprises.

Jan27

DAY 27 (2014)

Posted on January 27, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I did something yesterday that was super hard to do. I told someone something they didn’t want to hear. Something that would change the relationship that we now have. I spent many days contemplating not opening my mouth; worried that I would hurt the person’s feeling. Before I chose the day to talk to my friend; I spent several days in prayer. Several days fasting. I gave the entire situation to God, I left it in His hands. Wanna know the outcome? SMOOTH… It was the easiest conversation I ever had. Why? Because God went before me and prepared the way. Today as I sat back and reflected on how well, something that I was so scared of doing turned out. I am blown away by the power of prayer. I am blown away by God’s ability to prepare a heart to hear something it did NOT want to hear. Here’s the biggest blessing. The person actually saw clearly what God was doing through what I had to say. In fact before I told them the why, they told it to me! I am learning on this new journey that doing life God’s way bears benefits that far outweigh any fears I could have. We all have things we don’t want to do, but have to anyway. Give it to God, let Him go before us and prepare the path. He is the clearer of obstacles and the author of peace.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28).

So what’s my plan of attack? Walking forward with God always before me (He’s got the map 😉 ).

Jan18

DAY 18 (2014)

Posted on January 18, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Don’t see the stretch you have to run. See the finish line.

I was taught a lesson on how emotions color perspective today. Last week I made plans with a friend to meet for lunch. We hadn’t seen each other in a while and had a lot to catch up on. She’s my go to person for advice and to just bounce lessons I am learning off of. We are alike and very different at the same time. One area that we differ in is the area of time management, I am always early (or on time) and she is always late. It is hilarious because she knows it. So whenever she gets to destination before me, it is a win. Today’s meet up was at one. I texted her before leaving to let her know I was on my way. As I was driving through my neighborhood, I couldn’t help but be in awe of it’s beauty. The roadways in my complex are lines with trees, shrubbery and brightly colored flowers. The scene before me as I drove was beautiful. It was like driving in a postcard serene and peaceful. I was early so I had time to enjoy the long drive out of my complex (it takes approximately 4 minutes to exit my community). About ten minutes into the drive, as I am stopped at a red light, I rummage through my bag to get something out of my wallet, that’s when I noticed…I. Don’t. Have. My. Wallet! I need to turn around. I decided to call my friend to let her know I will be LATE. Wait, what!? I. Don’t. Have. My. Phone. Either!!!! I quickly rush back to my house pick up my missing items and head back out. Only, this time the drive it NOT scenic, it is NOT beautiful or peaceful. I am NOT praising the landscaper. I am cursing the builder wondering why it takes so long to get out this place! Ha! As I was relaying the story of the re-drive to my friend, I was reminded that perspective is a choice. The landscape hadn’t suddenly become ugly or unpleasant, but my view of it did. Why? I was late I was in a hurry and it takes 4 minutes to exit my complex. We can choose our perspective. The second time around, had I chosen to let it, the drive could have been just as beautiful as the first. Instead I let my emotions and feeling dictate how I viewed it. Here’s some truth as we go through life working towards our goals. Perspective will either push us forward or hold us down. You can choose to see the bad things as road blocks, keeping you from your dreams. You can choose to see them as hurdles that need to be jumped, in order to reach the finish line.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. ‘For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior'” (Isaiah 43:2-3).

So what’s my plan of attack? Don’t see road blocks, see hurdles and jump them.

Jan4

DAY 4 (2014)

Posted on January 4, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Run the race, don’t just watch from the sidelines.

I love Christmas decoration. There is something festive and special about them. They make their surrounding feel magical . Today sadly was Christmas decoration removal day. I don’t like this day. Why? Everything goes back to the way it was. I get this thought every year when we put decorations away,” it’s a shame we only use these once a year”. I feel the same way about the “good China”, and about the “decorative towels”. I am so happy I was NOT created to be used only on “SPECIAL” occasions. How horrible would life be if we were packed up and locked away for 11 months out of the year, brought out of exile for one month, then packed up again. Today as I was putting away the ornaments I realized how blessed I am. I can be used, everyday. Just like Christmas decoration I was created for a specific purpose (I believe we all are), but until my purpose is achieved, I don’t have to be put away like ornaments, cutlery or linen. I can go forth, work, build, grow, and move. We are not meant to be packed away, so don’t sit still… Run your race.

“Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table” (Proverbs 14:23).

So what’s my plan of attack? Work while I wait. Avoiding shelves and storage areas 😉 .

Jan3

DAY 3 (2014)

Posted on January 3, 2014 by lsgrlr

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My day went so fast I hardly know what happened. I woke up, got dress, and went to work. It all was a blur from that point. I got in at 7:45 am and the next thing I knew, it was 4:30 pm. It sped by, like a race car on crack (that mental picture made me laugh). Days like this use to fluster and throw me out of sorts. Yet I have to say today I wasn’t flustered, I was prepared. It interesting how different my mind set has become. I don’t know how to explain it, except to say that I am a lot less phased by the unexpected. I realize now that on the journey no matter how prepared I am flash flood will come, and I will be wading through water to get to my destination. It’s okay though, because I have rain gear. Today when the rains of “busyness” and “now, now, now” fell I just put on my rain hat, held up my umbrella and carried on. No matter what the storms of life may bring, carry on. Today God reminded that as I continue to “go” and “do” there will be storms, fires, and floods, but I can rest because I know the calmer of storms, and the putter outer of fires. His got me covered.

“Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take” (Joshua 1:8-9, The Message Bible).

So what was my plan of attack for today? Go! God got me covered.

Jan2

DAY 2 (2014) The Epiphany

Posted on January 2, 2014 by lsgrlr

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You won’t get anywhere, until you MOVE.

Today another epiphany. It’s time to move. Not from were I live, but in general. Last year the journey was all about staying still, letting God do His clean up of my heart, mind, and emotions. That was then… This morning I woke up with an extreme desire to exercise. So I exercised for an hour, burned a bunch of calories. Then I thought I need to get my hair done. So I went to my hairdresser. I needed clothes for work (our uniforms change on Monday), so I went shopping. Then I had the burning desire to study (yeah, God and I had a chat about this one 😉 ). So I studied, for two hours, math and vocabulary for my GRE (my brain hurts…ouch). Then it HIT me like a bullet. This is my year to DO. We all have dreams and desires, but often times they end up being things we want, but never attain because we don’t go after them. Today in the midst of my doing, God spoke to my heart and reminded me that faith without works won’t accomplish much. I can have all the faith in the world that God will do something, but if I never make a move in the direction He is leading me, I won’t do anything. There is a time to rest, and a time to move. Today I woke up to that knowledge.

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17).

So what’s my plan of attack? Go forth and…DO!

Jan1

DAY 1 (2014) – A New Journey Begins…

Posted on January 1, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Every sunset says, “You get another chance tomorrow.”
(Photo by Lisa R.)

It’s a new year. We have the opportunity to start afresh (if we so choose). I have been contemplating for a few days now what to do with my blog once 2013 ends. Should I continued? Does it need to be everyday? Is there a new journey for me to start? My original journey started because I needed a perspective change, and as I have previously stated, a change of perspective is exactly what I came away with. God took the time to deal with my insides. Now it’s time to deal with my external world. While contemplating this new journey I came across this scripture:

“Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3).

It dawned on me: EVERYTHING I need to succeed on my external journey is already at my disposal. God has given, granted, and blessed me with ALL I need for LIFE and GODLINESS. There are several hurdles I need to cross this year and I will approach each using principles and practices found in God’s word. First goal passing the GRE (graduate exam). This upcoming journey will be one of personal growth, one where I will endeavor to grow personally using God’s principles and tools. Why? This time around i’d like to do it right the first time. Here’s to the new journey.

“Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

So what’s my plan of attack? Studying of course ;).