Thankful Thursdays

Wow! This week flew by and now it is already time for this weeks list. This week I am thankful....

1. That we had a great Mother's Day with the two moms.

2. That my fur baby remembered that Mother's Day is not just for women who are mom's to humans. (He got me running clothes and a DVD, such a smart puppy I have.)

3. That Sean and I booked a week away for ourselves coming up the first week in June. I can't wait to do NOTHING for a whole week.

4. That I found a running partner to run a 10km race with. I may not be thankful for this next week though.

5. That I had a day off work on Friday to relax at home.

Thankful Thursday's

This week I am thankful....

1. That the wellness team in my office provides fruit, bagels, muffins, and donuts every Friday morning. It may seem small but it is the best part of the day.

2. I was able to visit with my brother and sister in law.

3. I was able to visit my new home and see that it is coming along great.

4. That I have a great job that for now is safe and secure.

5. That I have had a couple of nights this week to relax and just lay back and read a book. These nights are a rarity lately so I am thrilled when one comes along.

What Drives Your Life?

Here is what Day 3 part 1 of the Purpose Driven Life has to say about some of the most common driving forces in our life.

1. Guilt: Many people allow their past regrets and shame to control their future. They spend their time punishing themselves and therefore sabotaging their chances of success. The good news is God’s purpose is not limited by our past. He specializes in giving people a second chance. Psalm 32:1 “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.”

2. Resentment and Anger: Instead of releasing their pain through forgiveness some people hold on to the hurt that others have caused them. Your offender, who has most likely forgotten their offense, can not continue to hurt you unless you hold on to the bitterness. Job 5:2 “Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.”

3. Fear: Fear driven people often miss great opportunities due to their need to play it safe. However, living in fear will keep you from fulfilling God’s purpose for your life. 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

4. Materialism: This is the category I fall into. I often let myself get trapped by the idea that the more money and things I acquire the more happy, more important, and more secure I will be. The truth is that money and possessions can be lost in an instant. Real security can only be found in what can not be taken from you, your relationship with God. Matthew 6: 19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

5. Need For Approval: Many people allow the opinions of other people control their lives. They are in a constant search for the approval of those around them. If you spend your time trying to please everyone not only are you guaranteed to fail but you will also miss what God’s purpose is for your life. Matthew 6:24a “No one can serve two masters.”

Thankful Thursdays

This week I am thankful.....

1. That I was able to take my husband on a lunch date on Saturday
2. For insider information
3. That we can rent out our condo
4. That my husband had a good birthday on Sunday
5. That it looks like winter may actually be over

God Doesn't Play Dice

Day 2 of the Purpose Driven Life is titled "You Are Not An Accident." I often find myself looking around at people I see and thinking to myself "life would be so much easier if I was rich like that guy, or if I was beautiful like that girl." Psalm 139:14 says "I praise you beacause I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." His works are wonderful! The world may value things such as money and outer beauty but God doesn't make mistakes. He knew long before I was born the exact DNA and the specific circumstances that would mold me into a perfect piece to His puzzle. "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16. A great new song by Jonny Diaz says "Don't buy the lies, disguises, and hoops they make you jump through. You were made to fill a purpose that only you can do. So there could never be a more beautiful you."

It's Not About Me

In reading day 1 of the 40 day devotional The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren I am informed that finding the purpose of my life has nothing to do with my ambitions, my dreams, or my happiness. There is nothing wrong with pursuing these things as long as it is in addition to fulfilling my purpose for God and not confusing them for the same thing. Ephesians 1:11 says "In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will." Since I was created by God, for God, I will not find His plan for my life by looking inside myself. If I want to find the purpose for a creation I need to start by talking directly to the creator.

Thankful Thursdays

It is way to easy to focus our thoughts on things we don't have or all the bad that happened in our week. Adopting an attitude of gratitude will help you appreciate all the things you already have in your life that you may take for granted. I know I spend most of my days griping about the people and situations that frustrate me instead of the many great things that I have been blessed with. For this reason I have decided that every Thursday I will share with you 5 things that I am most thankful for in that week. Once I sat down and wrote down this weeks 5 items I realized that I have a really great life that I all too often miss because I am too busy pining after everyone else's great life. So here they are...

This week I am thankful....

1. For the impromptu sermon given at Sunday's church service.

2. That I have a husband that consistantly reminds me that I am prettier, funnier, smarter, and stronger than I believe.

3. That I was able to spend some time with a great friend on Sunday.

4. That my husband took me on a date.

5. For my fur baby Edgar!

The First Step

So I made the decision to start living a better life. Now what? Well the first thing I do when I want to learn anything is find someone who can teach. This would be no different. I have recently returned to church on a weekly basis. I grew up going to church every Sunday and even went to a Christian school for all my grade school years. After graduating from high school I dove head first into the hectic world of adulthood. When life started to get too busy I knew that one thing I could drop was church. I had a good handle on how to deal with everything on my own.......Right! I see now that my brilliant plan didn't work so well and here I am so deep in this rut that I have no way of getting myself out. I realized if I have any hope it will be through God and God alone. Now, don't get me wrong. This does not let me off the hook of doing any of the work. I can't sit here waiting for God to one day drop a gold envelope in my lap that contains the step by step directions to my purpose filled life. I may not yet know exactly how to get from A to B but I do know that it's not by plopping my butt down at A and waiting. So I will do my part and be an active searcher for those step by step instructions. I'll let you know what I find.

What's all this about?

Well, I don't know if you've ever been at this point but lately I feel stuck in my life. I have spent a bit of time wallowing in my self pity and now I am ready to step up and do something about it. I am not sure yet what God's purpose for me is but I am ready to find out. I do know that His plan is not for me to idly sit and watch life pass me by. I decided to start documenting my pursuit to be the best daughter, sister, wife, and servant of God that I can be. I have no idea how long this will take, or where I will end up but I will share every step with you in hopes that you may learn something about your own life along the way.