YOU make a Difference

Sometimes we all need a little pick me up from time to time. I have a friend who has been dealing with a bunch of personal things and it has started to take it's toll on her. I think it is during the most difficult of times that we realize just how strong we are. We may not see it through our eyes, but believe me, others do. I know often I make the drive into work and yes, even though I can honestly say I love my job, I often ask myself, do I truly make a difference in the lives of others? I sometimes don't like telling others what my job title is. Some hear the word Receptionist and think "ohh". I honestly think people believe I just sit here in my office and answer the phone all day. Boy if you only knew. I also love how people assume that I have no sort of education. That's probably my favorite. Why is that we look at people and automatically assume because of their job title that's what defines them? For instance...Waitress, Hostess, Housekeeper, Stay at Home Mom...the list goes on. I will have you know that MANY well educated people and financially blessed folks all work in those areas. So why are we so quick to judge? Just like my friend who is facing many trials right now, I want YOU to know that you do make a difference in the lives of others. It all matters because you matter. I don't care if you make minimum wage, or if you are a billionaire. EVERYTHING we do makes a difference. You could be an ice scream scooper or a top executive at a law firm. It's all in how you treat people. If you are doing everything for God's glory, then yes, you do make a difference in the lives of others. I know it sometimes takes us a little while to see the BIG picture and to see it clearly. Would I love to make more money? Most definitely. I mean who wouldn't? And it's not just adults who make a difference, children make a difference too. I was so proud of my son yesterday. We recently celebrated his Birthday and as a result he had been given money. My husband text me while at work to tell me that James donated a portion of his money to MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association). As a Mother this truly blesses me heart. No one asked him to do it, he simply volunteered. He could have kept that money for himself and spent it on Legos or other toys, but he didn't. He decided that he was going to make a difference in the lives of others. One simple act of kindness goes a long way. Today I ask you to think about your job or what you do on a day to day basis. Think about how you treat people. Do you spend your day moping and complaining or do you go about your day doing the best to your ability? You can and you will make a difference in the lives of others as long as you give him the glory. Just like my friend who is facing a difficult time. As long as she does everything unto his glory, then the victory is already hers. Be proud of who you are and what you do and never let a job title define you. We are all so much more, and yes we all make a difference!

In the Eye of the Storm...

Tonight I come to you asking for prayers for a friend and a co-worker of mine. Yesterday went hand in hand with my previous post about how life can sometimes throw us curve balls. Things that we are not expecting to happen, but when they do, we are thrown for a loop. Yesterday while at work, I answered the phone like I always do. Only this phone call was different. The lady on the other line stated she was calling in for someone. At first thought, I thought okay, no big deal, I will just give this call to a Nurse. However this person went on to explain that the person they were calling about was now in the hospital. I will not go into all the details as to what happened, as it is a personal matter, but I do ask that you please be in prayer for this person, as they are suffering. I can't even begin to fathom the pain they are dealing with at this time, nor would I ever want to endure it myself. I had to take a minute and process what this person just told me. I left my desk and a co-worker and I begin to tell everyone what was going on. Within five minutes all of my co-workers and I were gathered in an empty room. We all joined hands while another co-worker began to pray. She prayed for understanding and God's strength upon this person and I could feel the Holy Spirit move through her as she prayed aloud. Tears were shed and several of us asked what we could do to help? It is times like these when we really do have to take a step back and examine our lives. There is always someone going through or facing a hardship. It makes one realize just how minimal our problems truly are when we compare them to others. I believe there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for. Sometimes I look at this world and I realize just how trivial my problems are compared to those that I know. I pull up my facebook page on a daily basis and while scrolling through I almost always come across a post where someone is facing a storm. Then I look again and I see post after post where people are asking for prayer. In a way this actually blesses me. To know that we are not alone as we face these trials amazes me. Sometimes I have to step back and not see things through my eyes, but the eyes of others. You may never know what someone else is going through. A smile and a laugh can cover so much up. Tonight I ask that you not only lift my co-worker up in your prayers, but I also ask that you not be so quick to judge. We ALL have our good and bad days and we may not ever know what other people are facing. Stop and think before you speak. Put yourself in their shoes. Help those who need helping. Go out of your way to be nice. Instead of putting someone down by gossiping behind their back, say something kind about them. Spread positivity instead of negativity. I don't think anyone would complain if you gave them a word of encouragement or threw out a nice compliment. Kind words go a long way. Remember all those curve balls that were thrown your way and ask yourself how you can help someone else. Sometimes all people really need is a listening ear. Tonight I pray for all the storms we are facing. I ask that God be with you, even as you read these very words. I pray for healing where healing needs to be done. I ask for God to intervene and that you would feel at peace. I ask for burdens to be left in the past. I ask for weights to be lifted off our shoulders. I pray for God's grace to be upon all who read this. I ask that we see the blessing behind the mess. May God be the eye of your storm, for in the eye, you can always find peace and rest.

Curve Balls

One thing is for certain in this life of ours. There will be plenty of ups and downs,one can only hope however, that there are more ups than there are downs. This weekend was a joyous one; my son, James just turned Eight and this weekend we held two parties, a Family party and a Kid party. There were smiles and lots of laughter. Lots of pictures were taken and tons of memories have been made. I can rejoice in the fact that my son had a wonderful weekend surrounded by those who love and care about him. However, sometimes life can throw us curve balls. This weekend while amongst all the joy, I too was thrown a curve ball. I got some unexpected news. News I was not expecting to hear and news that definitely threw me for a loop. One of life's many curve balls. Worry was beginning to set in and although I was trying to hide my worry through smiles and laughter, Saturday night I had to fight back the tears. I praise God for my husband who was there to tell me it will all be okay. Uncertainty can be a very scary thing especially without a support system. I know there are many people out there facing battles and sometimes quite frankly life just flat out sucks. I know so many people battling cancer and praying for a better outcome. I know those struggling with addiction. I know some are facing and dealing with spiritual battles. Many are dealing with financial burdens. Many curve balls will come our way throughout this lifetime. It is up to us in how we choose to deal with those curve balls. Today I choose to deal with this curve ball with prayer. I asked the Lord to intervene and I know no matter what the outcome, my God is a good God. I am so thankful for faith. I am even more thankful to have someone I can turn to when I am hurting. Someone who listens and will never forsake me. No, I might not understand why circumstances are the way they are, but I have hope in knowing this situation is already in his hands. In the end, as long as we have faith, no curve ball can stand in the way. I know sometimes it is not always easy to give situations to the Lord. We give them up to him, and then five minutes later, we take it right back. Truth is God wants us to rely on him. Are we not his children? Our heavenly Father never wants to see his children suffer. I don't believe that is ever his plan. However, we all know there will many hardships. Life is not always hunky dory. Through it all, I think all these curve balls make us better people. We come out stronger and ready to swing again. Today, I am thankful for the power of prayer. Thankful that I serve a loving and mighty God, thankful for the good and the bad. This may be one of many curve balls to come my way, but I have faith that I will come out swinging!