My Dad is a minister and often talks about an attitude of gratitude.
I love that concept. It is so easy to get bogged down by all the crap life dishes out, but the power of a grateful heart can beat all.
I really encourage you, if you can find it in you, on those days you are really struggling, take a moment to say thank you. It can be the smallest thing. Sometimes I start with being grateful I have 10 fingers to type with.
It's amazing though, how once you get started you realize that there are SO many things to be grateful for and all the annoying things that are bugging you, suddenly lose their impact and importance.
I'm not saying there isn't time in our lives to mourn, feel justified anger and be able to vent if we need to. There is and sometimes it's important to be able to feel and do those things.
I'm simply saying that an attitude of gratitude can work wonders on a really off day :)
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Being a missionary
I was thinking about my life today as I drove home from dropping my son off at kindy. I had bumped into another mom on the way out the door and mentioned we were moving to China. She shared a few things with me about the Chinese church over there and it got me thinking.
My husband and I are not going over there to be missionaries. He's going to be teaching Math and Science at an International School.
But I guess no matter where we are in the world, whether it's home in New Zealand or abroad in China, we are missionaries.
And to me that means - loving others, being honest about who I am and what I believe, but not shoving the bible down people's throats. Whoever I come in contact with, I prayer I can impact them in some small way through being the salt of the earth. I always ask God to use me and shine through me.
Is that too weak? Should I be pronouncing my faith from the rooftops?
Sometimes I'm not sure if my subtle approach is exactly what God's looking for, but it does work for me and I hope God will tell me otherwise if I'm getting it wrong.
As you can imagine, I feel a little confused on this subject sometimes, so it was with much delight that I saw my bible verse for the day was...
“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” Proverbs 21:21
I want to live a life that glorifies God, shines his light and touches the world through my actions. In doing that, I'm pursuing righteousness and love... and therefore my life will be what God wants it to be.
What do you think about being a missionary?
My husband and I are not going over there to be missionaries. He's going to be teaching Math and Science at an International School.
But I guess no matter where we are in the world, whether it's home in New Zealand or abroad in China, we are missionaries.
And to me that means - loving others, being honest about who I am and what I believe, but not shoving the bible down people's throats. Whoever I come in contact with, I prayer I can impact them in some small way through being the salt of the earth. I always ask God to use me and shine through me.
Is that too weak? Should I be pronouncing my faith from the rooftops?
Sometimes I'm not sure if my subtle approach is exactly what God's looking for, but it does work for me and I hope God will tell me otherwise if I'm getting it wrong.
As you can imagine, I feel a little confused on this subject sometimes, so it was with much delight that I saw my bible verse for the day was...
“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” Proverbs 21:21
I want to live a life that glorifies God, shines his light and touches the world through my actions. In doing that, I'm pursuing righteousness and love... and therefore my life will be what God wants it to be.
What do you think about being a missionary?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
God's Plans
“However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
Need I say more?
That verse is so incredibly cool. God has a plan for our lives... and I believe it is good. That doesn't mean there isn't heart ache along the way, but it does mean that he loves us enough to make a plan.
I'd love to know what my specific plan is, but God doesn't work that way. So I continue to surrender to his will for my life and trust that what he has in store is great than I could ever imagine.
Need I say more?
That verse is so incredibly cool. God has a plan for our lives... and I believe it is good. That doesn't mean there isn't heart ache along the way, but it does mean that he loves us enough to make a plan.
I'd love to know what my specific plan is, but God doesn't work that way. So I continue to surrender to his will for my life and trust that what he has in store is great than I could ever imagine.
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