We have so much to give

We have so much to give

December 7, 2008 at 12:21 AM

It is my hope that everyone will have an encouraging and enriching time over the holiday season with family and friends. Share your smiles and laughs, look for ways you can help to help those around you, and be rich in heart and spirit, having peaceful and loving thoughts flow through your mind. There is beauty to be enjoyed in so many of the things around us. Open your eyes and appreciate it. And share your thoughts of gratitude with those around you as it can encourage, and inspire others.

Have a wonderful time over the next month and set the ground work for more positive and inspiring things to come in the New Year.

Living the metaphor - Club FYM post Nov 12, 2008

I struggled today. Struggled to have energy and strength....I am not well and not sure what is ailing me. My chest has been hurting me and it is quite painful. And I thank God for the reminder to do as I want to do in the moments I do have as I am not guaranteed the next.

After sharing at a women's midweek service this evening I spoke with one of my friends and asked how she was doing with her fitness journey. She used the phrase "I can't get the food part down." And I shared with her this thought.......everything we do in life is a metaphor for our relationship with God. She then went over all that she had said in our conversation about fitness and saw the connection to our walk with God. She then said to me "Why didn't you just say that to me in the beginning!" (she had come to me to help her with her weight loss goals).......Then I said "I guess you have to live the metaphor to understand it."

Living my life as a Christian has given me great joy and revelation. I can see so many connections in everything we do in life and how it relates to my ultimate goal. And the metaphor of our weight/fat loss journeys are included as well. How many of us were "slim" before and didn't appreciate it? Or didn't even work for it? Or ate whatever we wanted and were still slim? And then when it was "gone", we are now fighting to get it back. The fight is the living part and that's what is great about this journey. Now we are gaining knowledge and wisdom through experience and association, and we are growing on the inside and glowing on the outside. Regardless of where you think you are at in your goals, you have already succeeded in growing as a woman, because you are living the metaphor.....walking the journey.
So look for those connections in your life....through parenting or marriage, through your relationships with co-workers or family and see how you can learn from what doesn't work to make what you want to work in your life a success!

Giving our presence not just presents during this Holiday season - ClubFYM blog post Dec.3,'08

As many have been reflecting on all the "to-do's" on their lists this holiday season some are experiencing a level of stress, perhaps based on perceived expectations of having to produce a gift that was specifically requested for or preparing a meal and ambiance for a feast and Christmas card experience. Either way you are expected to be present in that moment. How about making your presence the present you give?

Try sharing cost effective (or free) ways to love up on those around you. Encouraging letters or notes, Hand-written cards, an updated photo of you or your family, if you are spiritual, share quotes or scriptures of encouragement, put together an arrangement of songs and music. It takes as much time to go shopping for that gift as it does to put the thought and effort into something more personal.

So think of ways that you can give your personal touch to those around you in a way that they will remember for years to come and will help to make a difference in their lives. This is not only applicable for this holiday season, but throughout the year.

How long

As I reflect today on the health issues I have been experiencing, I am reminded that we are not promised forever in this world. I am truly grateful at how blessed my life has been. I have two beautiful boys, who are not only wonderful to share time, cuddles, and kisses with, but make me smile just at the sight of them. They are compassionate and when they see tears in my eyes, they do their best to comfort me and make me feel better. My prayer for them is that they live their lives appreciating the beauty that God has created and have hearts that desire to love as Jesus loved......wholeheartedly and full of passion.

I am truly grateful to God for gracing my life with someone who would not only challenge me to continue to grow closer to God, but who I would enjoy spending my life with. I truly love my husband as he is my best friend and has inspired me to live my life to the full in ways he could have never imagined. My hope and prayer for him is that he remain a nurturing, loving, serving, and compassionate man. That he keep his vow to God, and in honour of what we share, strive to grow closer to God each and every day of his life with his whole heart. That he will encourage our boys to grow to become wholehearted and loving men of God.

My life is full of joy, opportunities, appreciation, gratitude, and love. More than I could have dreamed and there is the potential for more to come. Thank you God!