Tag Archives: Opportunity

Aug3

DAY 215 (2014)

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Be aware of where you have come from. But ALWAYS move forward. (Picture by Lisa R.)

Be aware of where you have come from. But ALWAYS move forward.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

This morning I woke worried about finances. Worried that God wouldn’t meet our needs, or that He would, but I wouldn’t be paying attention to His leaing and miss what He was saying. Then church started. Worship reminded me that. “There is no one greater, no one higher, no one like our God. There is none more able. Christ our savior great and glorious.” Then my Pastor started his sermon in Luke 16 (we are going verse by verse through the book of Luke), by letting us know today’s scriptures talks about MONEY and hell. Hahaha. God…JOKES. You would think then that this post would be about how God will provide for me and meet my needs (and in a sense it is), but that’s not what God laid on my heart as I listened to today’s message. No, today’s post will be about second chances. About God taking us out of our current situation to give us a chance to start again. There are many things in my life I wish I had done differently, things I wish I could rewind and do again, a do-over so to speak. Unfortunately life does not hand out do-overs. But that does not mean we can’t have a second chance. It does not mean that God can’t provide an opportunity for us to walk the line, the path He has created for us. As I sat in church this morning I went over in my mind all the things around me that have changed. Starting with my Church: our Pastor stepped down. It was devastating and heart breaking and for a moment I though, ‘Who could replace him?” But God, provided us with a Pastor. Pastor Doug, is right man for right now. Our church can breathe and we have been given a second chance a new opportunity to come to church for God and not for man. Second chance number one. My job. The center that I worked at started out with nine people (this includes doctor, nurses, and office staff). Yup nine…the originals. Right now of the nine only three remain. But in their absence there have been new office staff, new nurses, new doctors bringing with them a new perspective, change, and growth. Second chance number two. My life. Up to this point I have lived doing what was necessary. Necessary to take care of my family. Necessary to meet the bills and not live under a cardboard box. But all the while knowing I wasn’t really doing what I was meant to do. Then God literally one day just impressed on my heart that it was time to, GO. He gently started reminding me of my dreams, of what I had said I wanted to do for Him with my life. Then I asked myself this question, “Why hadn’t I done it? What stopped me?” My answer… Fear. Then God gave me Joshua 1:5-9. “Be strong and courageous do not be afraid or be discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” So right now my house consists of more boxes than furniture. In less than two weeks I will be leaving my home, to start something new. Second chance number three.  This morning I woke up worried about finances. But God, showed me He was giving me a second chance.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

So what’s the plan? Second chance here I come!!!! 😀

Feb20

DAY 51 (2014)

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

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

So my brother is hilarious. He is leaving for Buffalo in one week. He is worried about my mom and I, so he’s trying to get another person to live with us. Basically a renter to help with the portion of the rent he won’t be here for. The candidate? His coworker. She is Chinese and has the coolest personality ever. But this is not what my post is about. The past couple of days had been really emotional in my house. Nothing had changed, we weren’t mad at each other, but for some reason we have all been a little volatile. Today as his coworker came to look at her potential home, I realized why we have been so tense. We’re going to miss him and he is going to miss us. We have been trying  to live as though the inevitable was not going to happen, but in the back of our minds we knew it was quickly approaching, CHANGE. Unspoken words will often demonstrate themselves through actions. I have to laugh, because pretending something is not going to happen won’t stop it from happening, (especially since he moves next Friday).  But don’t we (humans) do that all the time? When something happens that’s opposite of our desire, we hide from it, ignore, and try to live as though it is not affecting us. This week I have seen first hand you can’t stop things that have to happen, just because you don’t want them to. Life is in constant flux, constant change and it is scary. However it is also beautiful. So next time change comes, let’s not run and hide. Instead let’s embrace and grow.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). 

So what’s my plan of attack? Even if it is scary embrace change.

Jan31

DAY 31 (2014)

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In stillness. In quiet. In the beauty of the seasons God's plan can be heard.

In stillness. In quiet. In the beauty of the seasons God’s plan can be heard. (Picture by Rose S.)

I am sitting at work (6:15 am) and I just had this thought, “It’s time to go”. Not as in home, but as in it is time to move on. I have been having this particular feeling for a little while now. However, since nothing came of it I put it on the back burner believing it to be just my wishful thought. Many lessons have been learned from my time of holding. I have grown up a lot since I first felt that desire to move on. I am more prepared to step out in faith and let God do His thing. As I sit at my desk I am reminded that the new journey I started at the beginning of this year is to “Do” and “Go”. I didn’t realize how literal it was till just right now. A new adventure awaits and as with all new things there is that fear of the unknown. The untested and uncharted waters are worrisome at first, but if God is the captain of my ship I have nothing to fear (not even fear itself). Nothing special happened today to make this the day of confirmation. In fact, as days go it has been quiet thus far (this changed as the day progressed). I am reminded that sometimes the answer is found in stillness and quietness. Life is about the journey, and in order for it to be called a journey we must move. So to all the sojourners: Onward to what is to come!

“The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1).

So what’s my plan of attack? That’s easy…GO.

Jan6

DAY 6 (2014)

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Even though the sun sets, the day does not end. While it is still today, DO what needs to be done. (Picture by Lisa R.)

Even though the sun sets, the day does not end. While it is still today, DO what needs to be done.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

This will be a little bit of a gloating post only because I am really proud of myself. Why? Well I did something without procrastinating. I am not really a procrastinator, but I had been noticing that more and more I had been putting things off “for later”. You know the thought, “I’ll get to that later” or “I’ll do it tomorrow”. Today such a situation arose, literally my first thought was, “I’ll do it on Wednesday.” The moment I said it in my mind, I felt the my spirit say, “No, do it now”. Normally my response to “do it now” is an argument, which inevitable leads to me NOT doing it, which then leads to things spiraling out of control. I am done with spiraling, (sooooooo overrated 😉 ). I did it immediately, no arguments, no, “Really Lord, right now?!” I just did what the Spirit said to do. Now that I think about maybe I shouldn’t be bragging on myself as much as I should be thanking God for His guidance. The lesson, don’t put it off, if it needs to be done and you have the time and the means to do it, then do. We are not promised later, and many times later just leads to more problems. Don’t spiral, stand firm and “do” what you’re suppose to.

“For as long as it’s still God’s Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down your reflexes” (Hebrews 3:13, The Message Bible).

So what’s my plan of attack? “Do” what needs to be done, while it is still called today.

Sep23

DAY 266

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We make our plans, but God directs our path. (Picture by Lisa R.)

We make our plans, but God directs our path.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Today I am feeling a little down, not depressed or unhappy…just a little discontent. My problem is this, I have a millions things I need to accomplish in a very small window of time. The fact that nothing is moving at the speed at which I want it to run, is really playing with my mood. I have tired several ways to get around the slow down of my traffic. This has been quite unsuccessful. What I am learning is that I can’t rush the process, this leads to frustration and a NOT so good attitude.  As always, that still small voice that talks to our hearts spoke loud and clear to me, by reminding me of something I already knew (but keep forgetting). He ALWAYS has a plan that’s better than my own. A few years back my brother had applied for a job, and was assured by the manager that the position was his, only to be called (a few days before he was slated to start), to hear that the job had been given to someone else. My brother, rightfully so, was very angry and very disappointed. The job he had applied for paid minimum wage and was not anywhere close to what he had actually gone to school for. A few months later, he received a job that paid much more and utilized his college degree. What’s my point? We truly see through a “glass darkly” (1 Corinthians 13). We can only see what our limited human view allows us to see. But God, (my favorite bible phrase) sees it all. So today even though I am still feeling a little disappointed at the slow down, I am also encouraged because God sees it ALL.

“Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'” (Isaiah 46:10).

So what am I thankful for today? A God that sees the end from the beginning.

Jul31

DAY 212

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Wake up, walk forward toward your future toward your goals...as God continues to write your story.

Wake up, walk forward toward your future toward your goals…as God continues to write your story.

Tonight my pastor said these words, “You can’t save time, once it’s gone, it’s gone.” He coupled that with this scripture, Ephesians 5:15-16, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” Life can pass us by when we spend our time living in complacency. We don’t redeem the time. I got to thinking on the drive home tonight, how many opportunities I have missed because I thought to myself, “I’ll do it later.” But later never came, so that idea, that goal, that plan never was accomplished. Seize every opportunity now. Life is short, time runs out. So listen to this sage advise, “Never put off till tomorrow what can be done today.” The days are evil you may not get the opportunity tomorrow.

“Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15, NIV).

So what am I thankful for today? That there are more moments left to be seized.

Jun27

DAY 178

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This journey will sometimes present bad decisions in beautiful packaging...always read the label. (Picture by Lisa R.)

This journey will sometimes present bad decisions in beautiful packaging…always read the label.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Here’s a question would you sacrifice your moral standing for an amazing opportunity? When I made my decision to let go of Korea, I sent my resume to several companies. I decided it was time to use the degree I had gone to school for to its fullest potential. Let’s talk irony I have heard back from every (and I mean EVERY) single company I sent my resume to since making the decision to fill out the Korea application. I spoke to the representative of one company today. Here’s the opportunity the recruiter presented:  they would train me in every single facet of the company, an intensive training for eighteen months. My base salary for training would be upwards of 50,000 dollars (my brain literally went “WHAT?!” I may actually have said it out loud). I won’t even tell you how much they would pay me once I am trained and they have placed me, any where in the world that the company needs me. Yup world…I said WORLD. The kind of money they are offering means I would never have to worry about a medical bill, my mom wouldn’t have to worry about bills. We could take more vacations, I could go on every mission trip EVER. The financial freedom would be AMAZING. However, my conscience and my heart would have to be sacrificed for this gain. I would be lying if I said I didn’t struggle with the decision (I am human). The opportunity is out of this world. But I still can’t do it. Why? Because the product that the company manufactures is against my moral code, especially working for a cancer center.  Here’s a truth, if you sacrifice just the smallest bit of your conscience you open the door to losing it all together. No opportunity not matter how extraordinary is worth losing yourself for. Don’t be fooled the moment you lose your morals, you lose yourself.

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24, NLT).

So what am I thankful for today? For the kind of growth that realizes that who I am is more important than what I have.