Tag Archives: purpose

Feb16

DAY 47 (2014)

Posted on February 16, 2014 by lsgrlr

“A broken soul is not the absence of beauty, but a cracked and torn soul reeks of the sweet incense it contains.”
― C. Joy Bell

The past couple have months have been hard on me, physically, mentally, and emotionally. What I find odd is that the “hard” has also been very good. Sounds strange doesn’t it? Almost like an oxymoron. Here’s the reason: God has been breaking me. Taking out the unnecessary so that He can replace it with what IS necessary. The process has been painful (especially since I don’t recall praying for it 😉 ), but the pain has been almost like rain on my soul. Washing away the muck and the grime and leaving in its stead good soil that God can plant in. During this process He has answered many questions that I have been praying about, and dealt with fears that I had push deep down (pretending they didn’t exist). The intensity of the the schooling has at times left me reeling and feeling ashamed of my initial response. But I see now even that was a part of the lesson. Working in the healthcare industry here is what I know: Don’t despise the breaking. If a bone is set improperly a “good” doctor will break it, and reset it (unheard of pain). Why? Because he knows if not dealt with now, later it will cause irreversible problems. So if like me, God is breaking things in your life. Let Him. Better to be broken now and heal. Than to walk with a limp forever.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).

So what’s my plan of attack? Let God break. Let God heal.

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 😉 .

Dec18

DAY 352

Posted on December 18, 2013 by lsgrlr

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Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Christmas Service 2013 at the BB&T Center.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Tonight was the Christmas service for my church. It was held at the BB&T center (aka. Panther Stadium). The place was packed (oddly more packed than when the Panther’s have a game). During praise and worship, I had to pause and just take in the beautiful sound of thousands (yes I said thousands) of voices all singing in harmony all praising and thanking God. I had this thought, “Heaven will be just like this.” All of us praising in one accord. Today just a reminder that we are created for purpose. That is to glorify God. Many of us have found the freedom and joy that comes from living our true purpose. Some of us are still searching, wondering why we have it all, but still feel empty. Tonight as I joined in the chorus, I felt joy, peace, and filled. I pray this Christmas we all find and accept our purpose.

“Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:2).

So what am I thankful for today? Living my purpose.

Oct18

DAY 291

Posted on October 18, 2013 by lsgrlr

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A change in perspective, a change of view.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

I think the road is my classroom, because it seems to be the place that God speaks to me the most. Here goes, today on my drive to Fort Lauderdale, I pull out of the hospital onto Flamingo Rd, everything is moving along fine. The speed limit is 45, I am cruising along, when I encounter a driver going at least 10 miles under the speed limit. I think, “Okay.” So I move to the middle lane, only to experience the same thing again. I think to myself, “That’s weird…” But I shrug it off and pull into the left most lane, and no lie…it happens again. Now I am getting irritated. “What the heck!” I am driving 10 miles under the speed limit, and I am NOT amused. Then it comes, whispering in my ear (still small voice). “Why are you in such a hurry?” What if there is a purpose?” Then I see it, my gas needle. It is then realize I have less than quarter tank of gas in my car. The faster I drive, the faster it depletes (because of all the stop lights) and I am not anywhere near a gas station. However once I hit the highway, I am good (my car does excellent on the highway). I stop trying to ditch the slow driver and I settle in behind him. We sometimes forget that there is a bigger picture. We just see the immediate and forget the far away. My mom (and I am sure your’s as well), always says this, “There is a reason for everything, we just don’t always see it at the time.” As I sat behind my “10 miles under” buddy. I thanked God for His wisdom, and His gracious love that still took care of me (and my gas tank) when I was being such a brat. On this journey there will be drivers going slower than us, don’t be quick to overtake. Sometimes we are meant to stay behind them and travel slow too.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight“ (Psalms 3:5-6).

So what am I thankful for today? Slow moving traffic (no, really…I mean it).

Sep2

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on September 2, 2013 by lsgrlr

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

Romans 14. “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand” (Verses 1-4). Our actions shouldn’t cause someone else to stumble. We are all at different stages and levels in our Christian walk (in our life), some are seasoned and live free in Christ. Others are new and just learning right from wrong. Just like a “good” parent wouldn’t live in such a way to leave a bad example for their child, so should we not leave a bad example to those around us (Christian or not). If this seems to hard, take heart…we can STAND because the Lord is able to make us stand.

Aug13

DAY 225

Posted on August 13, 2013 by lsgrlr

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What we see as traffic, may be God saying: “I’ve stopped the cars. Go ahead and cross.”

I am smiling as I write this. Why? Irony. Okay, so I have a person in my world that I am suppose to talk to. What I have to say is something I know the person needs to hear. The thing is…the thing is I really DON’T want to be the one to do this. So, I have been praying (this part made me laugh out loud to myself as I typed) that God would send someone else. Put the desire to talk to this person in someone else’s heart. Because the thought just makes me want to throw-up. But God’s got jokes. For the most part this person and I don’t really communicate. We don’t run in the same circles, or have the same type of schedule. Thus, avoidance has been really easy. However, lately this person has shown up in my world without any warning and in the most unlikely places. For the past three weeks I have seen this person more than I have ever seen them before. Why? I have something they need and God loves them. I am a little (okay a lot) disappointed in myself because avoidance is not my thing. It’s just with this particular person I have always felt inadequate, like I am never going to reach their level. So to be the person who sees the issue is very, well, scary. Because what if I say it wrong? What if they misunderstand? Today when the person invaded my world yet again *geesh*, I thought to myself, “Remember the ducks, just cross this street keeping your eyes on the destination, not on the traffic”. I realized that every lesson is for a reason (God really doesn’t waste anything). My duck adventure from yesterday (DAY 224) was used to show me: I have been standing on the sidewalk in front of the crosswalk, but not crossing. My heart is pounding as I type this: When that person invades my world again…I will cross (traffic or not).

“And the Lord said…’Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent'” (Acts 18:9).

So what am I thankful for today? Navigating traffic.

Aug4

DAY 216

Posted on August 4, 2013 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.)

This may be hard to follow, but hopefully my point will make sense in the end (somethings make more sense in my head). On my drive home from church today (happy Sunday by the way), I was listening to a song by Group 1 Crew, called, “A Lot In Common”. As I was listening to the song this line came up, “I see life colorblind still equality gets so hard to find. You and me both one of a kind made like a star to shine, let’s shine.” You and me both one of a kind. If this is true I have one question. Why do we spend so much time trying to be like everyone else? It starts in our youth, we dress like everyone else, talk like everyone else. Life becomes like a gigantic game of “Where’s Waldo”, except everyone’s Waldo. This leaves me with another question: If we are all so determined to be like everyone else, why is there so little equality? Here’s the truth we are ALL human, so we face the same insecurities, the same fears, the same possibility of failure and success. We are alike… we are also very different. We let inequality in when we measure our growth against that of another. Because we are alike we should understand each other, but because we are different we should give each other the space and the leeway needed to grow. Our similarities bond us together, but our differences give us wings to fly. Stop cutting off the wings of those around you. Watch your words and watch your action, give those around you room to soar.

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

So what am I thankful for today? That those around me haven’t clipped my wings.

Jul31

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on July 31, 2013 by lsgrlr

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

Acts 9. “The Lord told him, ‘Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.’ ‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to Your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’ But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.’ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength” (Verses 11-19). I don’t know about you, but if I was called to follow and the means used was to show me what I going to “suffer”…I may be a little unwilling to follow. Not so with Paul, he counted it “all JOY” to suffer for Christ. I understand why though. Saul (pre-Paul) with sight was still walking around blind, not seeing the truth. But God, removed the scales from his eyes.

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.

Jul9

DAY 190

Posted on July 9, 2013 by lsgrlr

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By faith the seed dies, so the flower can bloom. Each new bud is the realization of the seed of faith.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Today I was reflecting on the origin of this blog. If you take a gander to the beginning you will find that my journey on WordPress did not start on DAY 1, but on DAY 13. I originally started this journey on my Facebook page, as my version of a New Year’s Resolution. I have learned so many things in the past 190 days. God has been faithful to change my heart, my perspective, and my disposition. I have always been a naturally peaceful person (to those who only see my outward facade), but inside…inside I was hurting. I felt devastated and lonely. What I have realized over the past six month is that our perspective and view really does matter. Where we place our trust and our hope really does matter. Changing my perspective from “woe is me” to “thankfulness” has changed not only how I view situations, but how I handle them. This in turn has changed me from the inside out. I no longer feel desperate and lonely. I know that I have an advocate, who is FOR me. So in honor of how far God has brought me I am sharing my DAY ONE:

DAY 1 (January 1, 2013)

The question in the FB status bar reads: What’s your New Year’s resolution? I have given this question some thought. Here’s my answer…I don’t have a resolution. This year instead of trying to “get” something, I have something that I would like to cultivate…thankfulness. This will be a journey, and I am not unrealistic enough to not understand that on some days I may not feel or want to be thankful. But, if I can find even the smallest, most insignificant reason to be thankful on those days, then I will have started cultivating the seed of thankfulness inside myself. Thus, the next time a not-so-perfect situation arises it will be easier for me to be (yup, you guessed it)…THANKFUL!

Thankful that I have been granted the opportunity to see a new year.

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:16, NLT).

So what am I thankful for today? That I see the fruit of the journey.