Category Archives: Living

May8

DAY 128 (2014)

Posted on May 8, 2014 by lsgrlr

Joy is not dependent on our circumstances. It’s dependent on our choice… Choose wisely.

I heard someone say this once: “Joy and happiness are different. Happiness depends on your circumstance, if things are good then you are happy. If things are bad, then you’re not. But joy is a choice it is not dependent on your circumstances. You can choose to be joyful whether your circumstances are good or bad.” I have been thinking about that statement lately, about its truths and the effect it has had on my life. When I started this blog (almost two years ago) life was decidedly less “happy” than it is now. Our family had gone through a really rough time the year prior and as a result there was not much to be happy about. Emotionally I felt like a cartoon character with a dark cloud above my head. Then I heard that statement (and it was a light bulb went off), I thought to myself the only thing that’s keeping me in this mindset is, me. I made a decision to find one thing to be thankful for everyday, one reason to be joyful (and thus began my journey of thankfulness). That journey has changed me from the inside out. God used it to show me that even if the circumstances were less than stellar if I opened my eyes I could see the GOOD and the GOD in everything. Life is not always “happy”, but we have the opportunity to be “joyful” none the less. We just have to choose it.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the JOY set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

So what’s my plan? Set JOY before me.

May7

DAY 127 (2014)

Posted on May 7, 2014 by lsgrlr

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We can’t do it alone, we all need help on the journey.
(Picture taken at House Of Hope, S. Korea)

Have you ever just “missed it by that much”? I feel like that’s how things have been working lately (and no for the record I am NOT whining). It is an observation that I am making about recent events in my life. Lately it feels like I always come really close, but still miss the mark. Normally I would be upset, but recently I have discovered that this is a tool that God has been using to break down certain walls and barriers that I had built up. Walls that need to be broken in order for me to get to the next leg of this journey. Remember yesterdays post? Let go of the past to take hold of the future. Missing the mark means that I have to seek help, and not only seek it, but not be afraid of it. Why would anyone be afraid of help, you ask? Because needing help somehow translate to failure. What I have been slowly learning (really, really, slowly…poor God I feel bad for Him) is that asking for help is not a sign of failure, on the contrary it is a sign of maturity. Because when we ask for help we put what’s necessary before our pride. Recently I needed help and didn’t ask for help, because I was too stubborn. The outcome? It got waaay worse before it ever got better. We are not called to be an Island, we are not meant to stand alone, we are meant to help an be helped.

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed” (Ecclesiastes 4:9).

So what’s the plan? Break down walls.

May5

DAY 125 (2014)

Posted on May 5, 2014 by lsgrlr

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

For the record it seems I was 100% serious about my lifestyle change. I started on Saturday (I know it’s been three day, but it only takes 5 to make a habit). This morning I woke up, did warm up stretches. Got dressed went to work. Came home worked-out, stretched, had a shower (yes I showered this morning as well), made a protein shake and then studied for 2 hours. The problem is that now all I can think about are words that no one ever uses in sentences words like: castigate, augury, and contumacious (which I can be at times) and algebraic formulas. I am laughing right now because I realize this is not a bad problem to have. I am a little proud of all that God has allowed me to accomplish today. I am blessed because He walked me through my day and gave me the strength to say no to TV (which is not normally not a vice, however, 24 starts back today), when Jack’s back. He gave me the strength to turn off my cellphone and tune out my friends, so that I could accomplish the goals I had set forth for this day. I am blessed that He gave me the desire to workout even though I was tired. I am struck at how awesome God is, if we keep our commitment He’ll be faithful to see us to our goals.

“But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9).

So what’s the plan? As much as depends on me. Keep my promise.

May4

DAY 124 (2014)

Posted on May 4, 2014 by lsgrlr

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When we focus on the forest all we see are tress. When we focus on the flower, we see the butterflies.
(Daejeon S. Korea, Picture Daniel S.)

Easy or hard. These are the two choices we get. The problem is that our definition of those two words are colored by our life experiences. What do I mean? Well, often times we will choose the easy way out because the consequences are less severe in the present. What we fail to realize is that down the road when the truth comes out the consequences become even more severe than the original crime (this is a ALWAYS truth). Let me give an example. I had a favorite winter coat, I also had a friend who really like my coat. She would admire it and always tell me how beautiful it was. One day I accidentally left my coat in the library of my school, when I went back to get it it was gone. I went to a small private school everyone knew the coat was mine. Therefore, I was not worried about it getting returned. But two weeks later my coat still wasn’t back. I asked my friend (quite innocently) if she has seen it, to which she answered, “No.” I had no reason to not believe so I just chalked it up to carelessness on my part. A few months later a couple friends and I were visiting outside of school, when we happened upon my friend (who had left school due to family issues), there she stood in front of me..wearing my coat! It devastated me, not because she had my coat, but because she lied. When she had the chance to confess she didn’t and thus the consequences of her action were more severe later on (I will not be going into detail). The irony is that the year it went missing was my final year and I planned on giving her the jacket (I wouldn’t have needed it in Florida). I understand why she didn’t confess: she did not want to look bad, didn’t want people to see her differently, and she did not want to lose a friendship. All of which happened. But the thing is had she confessed, we had the type of friendship where I would have forgiven. We have since worked out our issues and are friends once again. But it will never be the same, we have lost so much. Maybe we shouldn’t see the choices as easy or hard, instead we should view them as right or wrong. In the moment the right choice will more than likely always be the hardest and less attractive decision, but it is better to make a hard (right) choice now, than suffer harsher consequences later because we made the easy (wrong) choice. Not sure why I felt the need to write this today…maybe someone needed to hear/read it. If that’s you make the RIGHT choice don’t settle for the easy one. Easy choices cause you to lose more than you gain.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12).

So what’s the plan? Right not easy.

Apr8

AND I QUOTE…

Posted on April 8, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I am asking myself this question a lot lately.

Apr5

DAY 95 (2014)

Posted on April 5, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Respect it is earned when words and deeds match.

Over heard my mom having a conversation with a friend. They were talking about what our actions say about us. At one point in the communication I hear my mom say, “Your talk and you walk need to match.” Her words made me think of a song. I love music. It has the ability to reach us on an emotional level. One of my favorite artist is Derek Minor. He has a song called Respect That, the chorus has these words in it. “If you hear the same things every time talk, and I take the same steps every time I walk. So if you hear the name Jesus come out of my mouth, then you already know what I’m about. You can’t do nothing but respect that…” I started to think about how our actions and our words need to be inline with one another. Okay, okay, I started to think about how my words and my actions need to be inline with one another (fine I admit it). One of my pet peeves is when thing are asymmetrical (no I am not OCD), to me things look better when they are uniform, when they match. Symmetry makes things less confusing and easier to navigate. People can see who we really are when our words and our actions match. We become easier to navigate. My friends don’t all believe what I believe, but I have never hidden it from them. That’s why if they curse in front of me it is usually followed by an apology. This makes me happy because it’s a sign to me that they respect my belief system (even if they don’t agree). They see that my talk and my actions match. Here’s a truth, people won’t always believe what you believe, but if your walk and your talk match up, they “Can’t do nothing but RESPECT that”.

“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person” (Colossians 4:5-6).

So what’s my plan of attack? Living in a way that my walk and my talk match.

Apr3

DAY 93 (2014)

Posted on April 3, 2014 by lsgrlr

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A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

I was given an interesting challenge today. It all started with a conversation about getting into college, or more appropriately getting into a “good” college. My coworker was talking about her daughter’s increasing hard school work. Her daughter normally gets amazing grades, but now she is enrolled in a school that is both high school and college and thus the work load is harder. During the conversation this statement was said, “Have you ever seen a happy poor person? If so, bring them so I can see them.” Gauntlet thrown. Two things came to mind, after the statement. 1.) Who decided that all rich people are happy? 2.) Is money really the only thing that makes a person happy? Here’s the thing I know lots of people who are poor by societies standards, who happen to be very happy. Why? They found a treasure that is greater and more precious than just earthly riches. They found an EVERLASTING hope. When did we decided that the only way to be happy was not to be poor? Better yet what defines poor? Lack of funds, lack of the latest fad? Each person has his/her own definition and thus even the richest of persons can have areas in which they feel poor. Here’s what I have been learning. Our joy and happiness should and can never be dependent on tangible things. Because they don’t last. It can be here today and gone tomorrow. Our happiness should come from something that does not fade, does not disappear. Our joy and happiness should be found in the love of God. Does that mean we won’t have bad days? No. it simply means that even in the hard times we have hope that does not fade. Hope that allows us to find joy, even in the midst of trials. A joy that causes us to be happy, even if we’re poor.

“Happy is the man who has faith in the Lord, and does not give honor to the men of pride or to those who are turned away to deceit” (Psalm 40: 4).

So what’s my plan of attack? Find my joy and happiness in the unfailing love of God.

Apr2

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on April 2, 2014 by lsgrlr

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

Exodus 14. “As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, ‘Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!'” (Verses 10-12). Really Israel?! After all you saw God do to get you here, you are still going to doubt? You want to go back? Would we have reacted differently if it was us? Probably not. It’s human nature to go back to what we know (even it is bad for us). The Lord still provided a way of escape. Still took care of them. But imagine how much stronger their faith (our faith) would be if They (we) believed without seeing.

Mar31

DAY 90 (2014)

Posted on March 31, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Just like unexpected snow in Spring. Life can throw us curve balls. When that happens we either take a swing or get hit.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

On Mondays I send out an email to my coworkers. I wrote today’s email after somewhat of a stressful weekend, where if it could go wrong, it did. But despite all the trauma I walked away realizing this. I am okay. Life is still moving forward. I still have the opportunity and the ability to reach for my goals. God is still on the throne and He loves me. All is well with my soul. The events of the weekend made me realize just how blessed we are to have the gift of free-will. It gives us the chance to choose our reactions. It gives us the ability to choose our perspective.

The last 48 hours have been somewhat of a comedy of errors. All designed to make today NOT a happy Monday. Want proof? I spent this weekend in New York with my brother. My flight back was on Sunday, however on Saturday it snowed ALL night long, waaaay into the early morning. All I could think was “oh noes, I have work on Monday”. My flight was delayed. However, the airline choose not to say anything till an hour after the boarding time had passed, at which point all passengers with connecting flights began to go into panic mode (I felt all kinds of sorry for the lone attendant). I did not make it to my house till 2 in the morning. That’s when I noticed. My car isn’t here. Why is my car not here? I had made arrangements with my family to pick it up (which was confirmed). When I questioned, the answer I received was, “Oh I must of misunderstood.” Excellent! Apparently, please pick up my car from work can have another meaning. This morning as I left my house two things dawned on me: 1) The keys to my home are in my drawer at work, 2.) I cannot lock my front door, 3.) I have no car how am I going to get to work? (Okay three things dawned on me). Do these events make this Monday any less good? No. Life doesn’t always go the way we want. I have every reason to be grumpy today (the door to my home is unlocked). However, I choose not to be. Why? My perspective determines my day. Today I choose to see these events as what they are: Just a part of the journey. Therefore, since our perspective determines our day, our week let’s make it AMAZING. Happy Monday!

“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

So what’s my plan of attack? Choose to see things God’s way.