Category Archives: human interest

Dec11

DAY 345

Posted on December 11, 2013 by lsgrlr

Sometimes the fences that lock us in are of our own creation.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Have you ever done something that was bad for you because the results were good? I have. About two months ago I bought new vitamins. They are awesome, they make my brain go, PING! I am alert, awake, and ready for the day. The draw back? I am allergic to them. They make me itch from the crown of my head to the sole of my feet, the itching is so annoying, but did I mention alert and awake? (These two things almost never happen simultaneously to me) It is almost worth the “chicken pox” reaction. Recently the itching became more intense, thus I had to stop taking my wonder vitamin (sadness). Today I have been off the vitamin for one week exactly and I am happy to say, no itching whatsoever. What’s my point? Often times we keep ourselves in situations that have a negative effect on us simply because we like the side effects. Here’s some advice, don’t do that. Don’t continue to keep yourself in a situation that makes you itch. Staying in circumstances or situations that we know we need to get out of is, well, bad us. Why? We get use to it. I got use to being miserable, it wasn’t until the itching became unbearable that I stopped the vitamin. In my case stopping the vitamin was an easy fix, but in life the fixes aren’t so easy. Are you taking “vitamins” that make you “itch”? Stop. Just because we like something doesn’t make it good for us. If it’s bad for you…STOP.

“Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good” (Romans 12:9).

So what am I thankful for today? That I am no longer “itching” 😉 .

Sep15

DAY 258

Posted on September 15, 2013 by lsgrlr

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Stay the course. Even when you hit a bump…stay the course.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Today has been for the most part a very emotionally jarring day. We all have that one person, that one thing that can undo all the ground we have gained. Today’s emotional turmoil has been brought about by none other than my father. This post is hard to write, because it is so personal, but good because I saw so clearly today that God has saved my family (my mom, brother and I). Yesterday was a great day, it wasn’t perfect by any means (no day could be), but emotionally speaking all was right with the world. That is until my mother had a hour long conversation with my father, (who until this very day has not apologized for his part in any of what happened in our family). After the conversation my mom was visibly agitated and once gain reliving guilt that she has tried very hard to let go off. What goats me is that she knows that what he says, is NOT the truth, yet every time, without fail she falls for his words. Normally my M.O. is to get mad at her for allowing him to do that to her. But today I felt God say, let her talk. So I did. I let her say all she wanted to say. It was hard to hear my mom say the way she was feeling, but she needed to say it in order to heal. I realize that in so many ways I stunt her healing because I don’t let her talk about it (mostly because I don’t want to hear…yes, I know selfish). But if she can’t talk about how she’s feeling with people who love her (without fear of judgement), then she will forever hold on to this. The journey can be hard, and sometimes the person you intended to make the trip with jumps ship and you find yourself traveling alone. Today I understood how my mom feels, perhaps for the first time. I have no room to judge her feelings, I can only stand by her side and let her know she isn’t traveling alone.

“A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity” (Psalm 68:5-6).

So what am I thankful for today? Emotional turmoil, genuinely. It helps us to see what we have been saved from.

Aug2

DAY 214

Posted on August 2, 2013 by lsgrlr

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Even the sun has to fall, in order to rise again.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Today as I was driving home from Fort Lauderdale, I saw a gentleman sitting on the sidewalk across the street from me. I was stopped at a light. He was homeless, he was sitting in dirty clothes with his head held down. He must have felt me looking at him because he glanced up, and what I saw broke my heart, he looked so sad and so lonely. I wanted to stop my car and find out what had happened, but I was not in a position to do that. People were walking pass him like he didn’t exist, like he was invisible. As I looked through my rear-view and watch people pass him by with no thought or concern at all, I wondered at his life. I wondered at the circumstances that got him there. Not much in life separates me (or you) from that man. Yet we are filled with self-importance dismissing his existence as we wrongly assume he has nothing to offer. Today I wish I had the opportunity to find out about him, I wish that I had turned my car around and sought him out, I wish I had taken the time to let him know, that even though he is sitting on the side of the road dejected and alone, he still mattered. He still has a part to play, a role and purpose that is intrinsically his. Money, fame, stuff does not determine self-importance or self-worth. Neither does a house, a car, or a job. At some point we will die and leave those thing behind. Today is first time in a long time I regretted an action. Because although my heart didn’t feel it, my actions (not stopping) said that I believed him to be unimportant. If God grants me another opportunity, I will turn my car around. But for now I will pray for his safety, and that the God of comfort and grace will hold his heart and heal his hurt.

“A Father of the fatherless and a Judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity.” (Psalm 68:5-6).

So what am I thankful for today? That God understands my heart, even when my actions don’t display what I feel.

Jul15

DAY 196

Posted on July 15, 2013 by lsgrlr

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Stay the course. Even when you hit a bump…stay the course.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Had an interesting talk with a co-worker today. He is embarking on a venture that if successful will not only make him very wealthy, but also be a source of inspiration to many people who may not have otherwise had been given a chance to realize their dream. As I sat listening to his excited and nervous chatter, this prayer popped into my mind, “Dear Lord I pray that You would protect the heart behind the venture. I pray that as his goals are reached, he won’t lose sight of the mission.” Most things that have gone awry started out with good intentions, but greed, selfishness, and the love of power can slowly seep in robbing us of our humility and causing us to forget what our true intentions are (example communism…good reasons, bad execution). I am not gonna lie my coworker is the kind of person that gives of an air of “I’m better than you” (this makes me wry of what may happen if he does have someone in his corner to bring the balance). The thing is I have never seen that as the complete person, but more of a protective shell. So I will continue to pray for his goals. Continue to pray that God will keep him humble. I will continue to pray that he doesn’t lose sight of the mission. Oh, by the way my coworker does not believe in prayer, so I will just have to believe for him. Hopefully one day soon, he’ll believe too.

“… Pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16, ESV).

So what am I thankful for today? Pioneers and prayer warriors. The world needs both.

May20

DAY 141

Posted on May 20, 2013 by lsgrlr

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“He shall be like a tree planted by living water…which brings forth food in its season” Psalm 1:3

Today was tough. I was reprimanded. At first, I was upset at how the situation was handled (honestly it was handled badly). However, after I sat and thought about it, here is my conclusion. Yes, I did something that was incorrect (unintentionally so, but it happened). It is hard to be a human and a Christian sometimes because my personality wants to be angry at the pettiness. But my conscience (that would be God’s Spirit in me) reminded me that I accepted this job, and therefore I must accept the rules laid down by my employer. We all make mistakes (no matter how hard we try not to), but God is gracious to show us our fault and gently corrects our attitude.

So what am I thankful for today? God’s gentle discipline.

May19

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought #60

Posted on May 19, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Mark 10. So much in this Chapter I advise you take some time to read it for yourself. The story of bind Bartimaeus starts in Verse 46, “The they came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is the son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David have mercy on me!’ Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He is calling you!’ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped up to his feet and came to Jesus. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him. The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’ ‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘Your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road” (Verses 46-52). Where to start with this story… Bartimaeus was blind, but clearly not mute. He cried out to Jesus despite being shushed. In fact the sushing made him more determined. So in the face of others telling him to be quiet, knocking him down, and making him feel as though God didn’t want to hear from him…Bartimaeus cried out LOUDER. Oh, to have the faith and perseverance of Bartimaeus. Here’s my point, he never saw what Jesus did (he couldn’t he was blind). He only heard the stories…he HEARD. Much like us today, and yet without ever seeing he believed. In John 20:29 Jesus says this, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” Bartimaeus’ experience with Jesus is a clear picture of Christianity today: we are blind, we want to see, we cry out to God, He hears and answers. On this day Bartimaeus received more than just physical sight.

Happy Sunday!

May18

DAY 139

Posted on May 18, 2013 by lsgrlr

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Only one way gets you the star.

I have discovered a new game called “Flow”. The object of the game is connect all the colored dots to other dots of the same color, while making sure that every square is used. Also you have to solve the puzzle in a certain amount of moves or else…no star. If it takes you longer than the required amount of moves to find the solution you on get a check-mark (a check-mark instead of a STAR, I think not…my OCD can’t handle it). The game is mind-bending-awesomeness. Why am I writing about a game? I have a point. No really…I do. In order to win the game you have to find the right pattern, the right direction if you will. But here’s the kicker, there is only ONE right path. You can try as many different patterns as you want, but only one will win you the game. Our journey is the same. We have many paths in front of us. However, only one direction will get us to our TRUE destination.

Here’s another lesson I learned from the game. Beware of praising your ability to catch on. The beginning boards are easy, but as you continue to play, the boards get harder and the paths are not as easily seen. On our journey there will be steep valleys and high mountains, but not all paths will be smooth. On our sojourn there will be winds, rain, sleet, and snow these will sometimes make our path hard to see. In those moments, rely on your directions and follow the map. God has a plan it’s specific. He gives you the free will to deviate, but that will only get you stuck. So follow the path, Get the star. Why settle for a check-mark?

So what am I thankful for today? Stars (with the occasional check-mark).

May16

DAY 137

Posted on May 16, 2013 by lsgrlr

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What we see as traffic, may be God saying: “It’s not time to move yet.”

It’s official. God is teaching me patience, which is thoroughly uncool since I have been taking precautions not to pray for it. I am not by any means the most impatient person in the world, but admittedly I have my moments. I had this thought today (as I sat on hold for fifty minutes), every lesson thus far has been about patience, and waiting: Whether it was a forty minute, two mile drive or an hour long wait at the cable company to get a working remote control. My take on all this? Something is coming that will require me to have patience. I have learned in my relationship with God that He doesn’t throw curve balls. He allows trials and hardships, but there has never been a time (for those who follow and listen to Him) when He didn’t prepare us beforehand. So I am going to stop the complaining and take the time to learn what God is so diligently trying to teach me. This is gonna be a hard one. I may not be impatient, but that does not mean I like to wait (mmm…maybe I am more impatient than I know). Here’s a little wisdom I have learned. If you consistently run into the same wall over and over again, step back and look for the lesson. It may be that God (who loves you) is wanting to prepare you to handle what’s ahead.

So what am I thankful for today? Patience (okay maybe not)…but I am thankful that God loves me enough to prepare me.

May15

DAY 136

Posted on May 15, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I read a blog today that reminded me of my shortcomings (no the blog was not about me, it just reminded me of me). I post everyday about what I am thankful for, not because I am trying to change other peoples perspective, but because I am trying to change mine. I watch the news and see bad, I go out my door and see bad…people don’t smile, don’t acknowledge the existence of another. Living in the world is bond to make you feel hopeless, lost, and alone. Today as I was reading the post, I thought to myself, “I use to feel like that. I use to think like that.” Amazingly the world around me hasn’t really changed. I look the same, speak the same, live in the same neighborhood, but I am NOT the same. My perspective has changed my outlook. Both these changes have in turn changed my attitude. I no longer see it all as futile and pointless. I no longer see living as a vicious cycle. I see life for what it is imperfect with moments that can AMAZE you. No one is perfect (seriously not one of us). Yet God was not slack or bored when He created us. We each have a purpose, something only we can do. It could be as grandiose as being the President, and as normal as being a mother. We aren’t meant to look at others as a measuring stick, instead we are to rejoice in each others strengths, and strengthen each others weaknesses. A change in perspective, leads to a different outlook, which leads to a change in attitude.

So what am I thankful for today. That my shortcomings can be a catalyst for growth.

May14

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought #56

Posted on May 14, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Mark 6. “Jesus left and went to His hometown, accompanied by His disciples. When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were amazed. ‘Where did this man get these things?’ They asked, ‘What’s this wisdom that has been given Him, that He even does miracles! Isn’t He the carpenter? Isn’t He Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon?’ Aren’t His sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at Him” (Verses 1-3). Am I the only one that finds this crazy? They take offense? Because He does miracles and speaks with wisdom??? I am always surprised when I read the bible and people don’t recognise God as He is standing in their midst. The God who created them and breath life into them is teaching them, and they take offense. I wish I could say that we have learned from their mistakes, but people are still offended by Jesus today. God wants to teach us, spend time with us, and love us…and we are offended.