Never give up; you never know until you try.
Here we go again! I haven't posted in several weeks because I've once again found that I had nothing new to say. It seems as if I've been on this treadmill forever, trying every "trick" I can think of, as well as ones others have suggested. I'm running up against nothing but closed doors, and it's getting on my last nerve!
The other day, after I literally vented a Charlie Brown-style, "Ahhhhhhhh!" I prayed aloud, "Lord, who is slamming these doors--you or Satan?" I'm still waiting for the answer to that one, but the bottom line is that doors are closed. I'm left praying, doing what I can, and claiming the biblical promise that if I keep knocking, a door will open. My poor knuckles are raw at this point, but I'm not giving up!
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Comfort Those Who Mourn
Never give up; you never know until you try.
I recently found myself in the middle of one of those "interruptions" that upon reflection seems to have been a "divine appointment." Suffice it to say that I wasn't even "supposed" to be where I was, when I was, but that "circumstances" had me in a place where I encountered a young woman grieving a recent loss.
I was minding my business, mentally running through my "to do" list when I passed her in a store. Being one of those people who likes to speak to complete strangers and share a smile and a moment of sunshine, I complimented her outfit and said I hoped she was having a great day. She candidly noted that she wasn't and wilted before my eyes. I hugged her until she calmed, assuring her that she would be okay, even if circumstances might suck for a while. She thanked me for listening and apologized for crying; I said, "Any time," and we parted.
As I left, I thanked God for the opportunity to share a tiny glimmer of love with someone in despair. I was glad I could offer a little comfort, and I've continued to offer prayers for her and her family as they learn to live without the precious soul they lost.
Lest you think I'm some super-spiritual, always-in-tune-with-God marvel, I'll tell you right now: don't. I noticed that dear lady, but I wonder how many others there have been in need whom I haven't seen. I'm sure there have been many, because I know there have been many people who have either failed to see my pain or failed to make themselves available to help in even a small way. I know it's a cliché, but I've felt alone in a crowded room.
Sometimes we don't know what to say to someone who's hurting and don't want to say the wrong thing. Sometimes we're too busy to take the time. The people who take time to reach out really don't know how much good they can be doing, simply by listening, offering a hug, and sharing a few words of encouragement. I can think of several people God has used to brighten my blacker-than-black day over the years, and I want to be one He uses to brighten others' day. Especially those in mourning.
I recently found myself in the middle of one of those "interruptions" that upon reflection seems to have been a "divine appointment." Suffice it to say that I wasn't even "supposed" to be where I was, when I was, but that "circumstances" had me in a place where I encountered a young woman grieving a recent loss.
I was minding my business, mentally running through my "to do" list when I passed her in a store. Being one of those people who likes to speak to complete strangers and share a smile and a moment of sunshine, I complimented her outfit and said I hoped she was having a great day. She candidly noted that she wasn't and wilted before my eyes. I hugged her until she calmed, assuring her that she would be okay, even if circumstances might suck for a while. She thanked me for listening and apologized for crying; I said, "Any time," and we parted.
As I left, I thanked God for the opportunity to share a tiny glimmer of love with someone in despair. I was glad I could offer a little comfort, and I've continued to offer prayers for her and her family as they learn to live without the precious soul they lost.
Lest you think I'm some super-spiritual, always-in-tune-with-God marvel, I'll tell you right now: don't. I noticed that dear lady, but I wonder how many others there have been in need whom I haven't seen. I'm sure there have been many, because I know there have been many people who have either failed to see my pain or failed to make themselves available to help in even a small way. I know it's a cliché, but I've felt alone in a crowded room.
Sometimes we don't know what to say to someone who's hurting and don't want to say the wrong thing. Sometimes we're too busy to take the time. The people who take time to reach out really don't know how much good they can be doing, simply by listening, offering a hug, and sharing a few words of encouragement. I can think of several people God has used to brighten my blacker-than-black day over the years, and I want to be one He uses to brighten others' day. Especially those in mourning.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Weeping and Reaping--Again
Never give up; you never know until you try.
I was talking with a friend about how sometimes it seems as if we'll never see improvement in a situation that has seemingly caused nothing but excruciating headaches for as long as we can remember. We toil; we pray; we gnash our teeth.
The child gets into still more trouble; the profit margin goes from barely-there to nonexistent and keeps dropping; those stubborn pounds won't go away and bring friends into the party. As I've written before, we've all been there, and it can be tempting to think God has forgotten us when we've been there forever and think we'll never get out.
I still believe one of the "tricks" is to never give up. Hold onto God, your friend, your teddy bear. Remember that God sees you and cares. He sees your tears. http://biblehub.com/psalms/56-8.htm
Keep going, and eventually, you'll see progress. http://biblehub.com/galatians/6-9.htm
I believe the other "trick" is to view "progress" on God's terms and not yours.
Sometimes, "just" having peace about a situation is progress.
I was talking with a friend about how sometimes it seems as if we'll never see improvement in a situation that has seemingly caused nothing but excruciating headaches for as long as we can remember. We toil; we pray; we gnash our teeth.
The child gets into still more trouble; the profit margin goes from barely-there to nonexistent and keeps dropping; those stubborn pounds won't go away and bring friends into the party. As I've written before, we've all been there, and it can be tempting to think God has forgotten us when we've been there forever and think we'll never get out.
I still believe one of the "tricks" is to never give up. Hold onto God, your friend, your teddy bear. Remember that God sees you and cares. He sees your tears. http://biblehub.com/psalms/56-8.htm
Keep going, and eventually, you'll see progress. http://biblehub.com/galatians/6-9.htm
I believe the other "trick" is to view "progress" on God's terms and not yours.
Sometimes, "just" having peace about a situation is progress.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
What's Up With That?!
Never give up; you never know until you try.
I learned something Tuesday that I'm not sure what to make of. Some people might think it's a good thing, but I'm in analysis mode, trying to digest what it all means and what to do about it. The news was something like when you get one of those "back-handed compliments" like, "You look so good since you lost weight!" (Yes, I have lost weight; and no, that isn't what I'm talking about. I used that "compliment" as an example.)
So, dear readers, I leave you with my question of the day: How long does it usually take you to discern who is really talking to you (God, Satan, or people) when surprising comments, events, or news makes you seriously rethink your opinion of and/or approach to something?
I learned something Tuesday that I'm not sure what to make of. Some people might think it's a good thing, but I'm in analysis mode, trying to digest what it all means and what to do about it. The news was something like when you get one of those "back-handed compliments" like, "You look so good since you lost weight!" (Yes, I have lost weight; and no, that isn't what I'm talking about. I used that "compliment" as an example.)
So, dear readers, I leave you with my question of the day: How long does it usually take you to discern who is really talking to you (God, Satan, or people) when surprising comments, events, or news makes you seriously rethink your opinion of and/or approach to something?
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Success--Again
Never give up; you never know until you try.
A recent post on one of my Linkedin group discussions was about what one piece of advice we'd give people who wanted to "achieve success." In my response, I noted that my first response would be that there is no "one thing," because "success" requires several activities and mindsets. (I didn't even address the fact that different people define "success" differently!) I also stated that my second response is that if I had to choose, maybe the "one thing" I would advise is to be true to yourself, which still requires more than one activity, because you must first know who you are. Convoluted, much?
Ah--another of my favorite topics! Knowing and being true to yourself can be hard in a world where you're told who you are and aren't; who you should be and shouldn't; and who you can be and can't. (As someone in transition, trust me on this; I know from whence I speak!)
My advice is to learn who God says you are and to be that person, regardless of who tries to remold you, because God knows what He's doing. He made you a certain way for a reason. Embrace who you are! That's true success!
A recent post on one of my Linkedin group discussions was about what one piece of advice we'd give people who wanted to "achieve success." In my response, I noted that my first response would be that there is no "one thing," because "success" requires several activities and mindsets. (I didn't even address the fact that different people define "success" differently!) I also stated that my second response is that if I had to choose, maybe the "one thing" I would advise is to be true to yourself, which still requires more than one activity, because you must first know who you are. Convoluted, much?
Ah--another of my favorite topics! Knowing and being true to yourself can be hard in a world where you're told who you are and aren't; who you should be and shouldn't; and who you can be and can't. (As someone in transition, trust me on this; I know from whence I speak!)
My advice is to learn who God says you are and to be that person, regardless of who tries to remold you, because God knows what He's doing. He made you a certain way for a reason. Embrace who you are! That's true success!
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Lumosity
Never give up; you never know until you try.
As you know if you've read or even scanned my blog any time in recent months, I'm looking for a job. It's a disheartening, confusing, demeaning process that can make the strongest of us resort to thumb-sucking, sobbing, tantrum-throwing, and quitting altogether.
I own up to at least one of the above, but I refuse to give up. God didn't put me here and equip me with the abilities that I have for me to crawl in a hole somewhere. I know that someone, somewhere, will appreciate and use my abilities and not just stick me somewhere doing a job that I can do in my sleep, for pay that wouldn't support the average tween. I just have to keep looking.
I was going over my agenda for the week, having spent (wasted) several hours in fruitless job-searching activities, when I checked out "Lumosity," which I'd seen on television. As I figured, it is in part a fee-based program, but there are free games, as well. I don't know about the claims of "train your brain," but it did offer a few-minute respite from my negative-thinking spiral. Check it out!
http://www.lumosity.com/
As you know if you've read or even scanned my blog any time in recent months, I'm looking for a job. It's a disheartening, confusing, demeaning process that can make the strongest of us resort to thumb-sucking, sobbing, tantrum-throwing, and quitting altogether.
I own up to at least one of the above, but I refuse to give up. God didn't put me here and equip me with the abilities that I have for me to crawl in a hole somewhere. I know that someone, somewhere, will appreciate and use my abilities and not just stick me somewhere doing a job that I can do in my sleep, for pay that wouldn't support the average tween. I just have to keep looking.
I was going over my agenda for the week, having spent (wasted) several hours in fruitless job-searching activities, when I checked out "Lumosity," which I'd seen on television. As I figured, it is in part a fee-based program, but there are free games, as well. I don't know about the claims of "train your brain," but it did offer a few-minute respite from my negative-thinking spiral. Check it out!
http://www.lumosity.com/
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Confusion
Never give up; you never know until you try.
We've all been there--so confused that if someone were to ask our name, we would have to think a minute before giving it. I've seen it in my students, and I've felt it myself when faced with a multi-faceted problem that seemed to defy all attempts to solve it. We all hate that feeling. We like being in control or at least having the illusion of control.
What I frequently tell my students and remind myself is that eventually the confusion clears and understanding comes if we stay with something long enough. I think it often means leaving the "problem" alone for a while and focusing on something else. It's hard to "get" the answer when we're churning like a boiling pot. Focusing on something else allows our previous lessons learned to come to the surface and help us with the situation at hand. Then, while we're cleaning the house, or working on vocabulary lessons, or just sitting quietly, resting our minds, we "suddenly" understand the steps to solving the math problem, or what to do about our unruly child, or where to search for a job.
As a friend in human resources development said to me recently, the key is persistence.
We've all been there--so confused that if someone were to ask our name, we would have to think a minute before giving it. I've seen it in my students, and I've felt it myself when faced with a multi-faceted problem that seemed to defy all attempts to solve it. We all hate that feeling. We like being in control or at least having the illusion of control.
What I frequently tell my students and remind myself is that eventually the confusion clears and understanding comes if we stay with something long enough. I think it often means leaving the "problem" alone for a while and focusing on something else. It's hard to "get" the answer when we're churning like a boiling pot. Focusing on something else allows our previous lessons learned to come to the surface and help us with the situation at hand. Then, while we're cleaning the house, or working on vocabulary lessons, or just sitting quietly, resting our minds, we "suddenly" understand the steps to solving the math problem, or what to do about our unruly child, or where to search for a job.
As a friend in human resources development said to me recently, the key is persistence.
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