Who can you bless today by simply and sincerely telling them, or better yet, showing them that they are worth your time? There are so many ways to be generous but we can get caught in the trap of thinking of generosity only in terms of money. But generosity comes in all shapes and sizes, doesn’t it?

We can be generous in regard to things like our time, our attention, and our talents. We can pour out love, and grace, and kindness in a manner that is more than anyone would expect. We can be sewers and menders who are generous in relationships by extending grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Pick your person or people to help today by being generous in some way. Just don’t talk yourself out of doing something because you think it’s too small or insignificant. It’s actually HUGE because you are letting someone know they are worth your time.  Maybe it’s a card you write, or a text message you send, or a meal you make, or a yard you mow, or a conversation you have. And after you do whatever it is you choose, don’t forget to take a moment to stop and recognize how incredible your heart feels when you give from a place where you expect nothing in return. 

I ❤ this and want to be someone who does more of it. How different would the world be if you and I saw something beautiful in someone and chose to speak it. I mean, really, what’s the benefit in holding onto it anyway?

Let’s go about our days being intentional about shining the light on people who are making a difference and doing good simply by using their unique gifts and being who they were created to be. We have no idea the impact or ripple effect our words of encouragement may have on that person who is spreading love, kindness, and laughter so generously. But if we stay silent, we can be sure of ths…it’s a missed opportunity to lift someone up, bring about a smile, express gratitude, or let someone know that we need them to keep doing more of what they’re doing to make this world a better and brighter place for everyone.

Our church is doing a sermon series by Andy Stanley called “What Makes You Happy” and our lifegroup is diving a little deeper into it through discussion. I love this prayer that Andy shared that he says daily to declare his absolute dependence on God for provision, not on his ability to make money, save money, or generate income. To me, it’s an incredible reminder that sometimes one prayer can change everything. But no matter what, prayer always changes us.  

“Lord, help me recognize today how totally dependent on you I am, for provision, protection, and my security.Help me to live in the moment, and not let fears rob me of the joy of living.
Help me to take an honest appraisal of myself.
To live live without regret or guilt.
Help me to be generous in my relationships, to extend grace when it is undeserved [ just like you do to me].
Help me hold on to what is pure, moral & ethical.
Help me to be reconciled to all, to make choices that reconcile, and not divide.
Help me God to sow happiness as a farmer would, knowing it is not accessible immediately, but knowing that you will water and grow this seed today.”

I love this reminder that the power of prayer is in the One who hears it, NOT the one who says it. It takes the pressure off of us thinking that we have to have the perfect and most eloquent words, doesn’t it? Our prayers, as awkward as they may seem at times, do matter and make a difference. So let’s keep praying. And let’s choose to let go of how inadequate we think our prayers may seem at times or how weak we feel when we pray. Prayer connects us to an all-powerful God who is in full control of every detail/outcome. If you and I are praying about it, we can be certain God is working on it. 

I believe in the power of prayer. And what I’m learning is that prayer really changes us. It has a way of transforming our hearts. I would love to pray for you. If there is something specific you’d like prayer for, please comment below or send me a message. It’s been my experience that we can think about asking others for prayer, but ultimately decide we don’t want to be a burden. God didn’t design us to do life alone. We have to be willing to be vulnerable and transparent. And yes, it can be a little uncomfortable. But in doing so, we let those close to us encourage us, pray for us, and support us in times when we need it most. It’s actually a blessing, NOT a burden, to pray for others and walk alongside them as they go down a path they were never intended to walk alone.

Never is a pretty strong word, isn’t it? It means not under any condition, not ever, at no time. It means you and I can be certain of this..

God NEVER sends is into a situation alone.

He goes before us.

He stands beside us.

And He walks behind us.  

He’s asking you and I to set aside our fears and to be confident. Knowing that whatever situation we find ourselves in at the present moment, God is with us.

Is fear getting the best of you in some area of your life right now? Fear is trying to pull me away from truth in a situation I’m in right now and I’m thankful for this reminder that I’m not alone. God is NEVER not with me. And He’s NEVER not with you.

How we choose to look at things makes a difference and shapes our days and our reality, doesn’t it? Our perspective can cause us to count our blessings or add up our troubles.  

I love this picture because it’s a reminder that you and I can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. Do you see a weed or a wish? Do you see difficulty in every opportunity or opportunity in every difficulty? Could you benefit from a tiny shift in your perspective and start seeing something so familiar to you in a completely new light? A change in your perspective may mean everything or it may mean nothing, but you’ll never know until you decide to step back and look at it from another angle.

It’s all good.  

We’re fine.  

No worries.  

We’re doing great.

The kids are excelling.

I love my job. It’s such a great fit.

Everything seems to feel like it’s in balance.  

Things just seem to be falling into place. 

We live for moments when we can say phrases like this and really mean them, don’t we?

But what about the times when we’re anything but stress free? When life throws us another curve ball that leaves us in disbelief? We can question everything during these times and forget that there’s something important for us down these difficult roads, too. If nothing else, the challenges spark a greater appreciation for the moments when we seem to be on cruise control heading down easy street, don’t they? 

For me, hurdles to overcome are also an incredible reminder of my need for God. Trying times have a way of bringing me to my knees. It requires surrendering and trusting that God is working out every detail. That He is faithful. That His promises are truth.  

It’s been my experience that those who’ve been tested deeply are the very people that God uses greatly. There’s a purpose in our pain, frustrations, stress, doubts, fears, brokenness, etc. If we want to be used greatly by God (and I do), we can expect to be tested. We just can’t forget that these times of testing are what makes our testimony so powerful.

For many of us, myself included, patience tends to run in short supply. Yet it’s something we’re always in desperate need of, isn’t it? If we’re honest, things just don’t always unfold in the timeframe we desire. And waiting is often the hardest part. We can get discouraged and anxious about what’s next and lose hope pretty quickly if we’re not careful.

What if you and I chose to believe that there is a purpose in our waiting? That perhaps, God is using this season of waiting to prepare you and I for something greater. We can’t be content with where we are when we are zeroed in on where we’re not. This quickly steals us of our own joy.  

We can start to believe that our purpose is waiting for us in the next phase, when in fact there is a purpose for us in the present… right now. God wants to equip us for what’s next. And that’s going to require patience on our part. There’s just no way around it. The strength of patience hangs on our capacity to believe that God is up to something good for us in all of our delays and detours. He wants us to grow, mature, and make the most out of where we have in front of us today.

What an interesting perspective on worry that definitely struck a chord with this worrier this morning. Effective immediately, let’s stop putting down payments on problems we may never have. Why do we worry when we know it doesn’t change outcomes or lead to any miraculous results? Ever. I wish I really knew the answer to this question, but I don’t. Worry can often become our default in trying times, can’t it? So we have to be intentional about swapping worry out with trust, faith, hope, and truth.