The Pearl in Me

I recently learned about the different Gem personalities.  I am a Pearl with some Emerald in me.  I am a feeler, make everyone happy, organized chaos kind of girl.  I walk cautiously and decide carefully.  I think and think and think before I act.  I start something with good intentions and fail to follow through.  Hence this blog with lots of advice that I don't even apply to my own life.
I would tell you that all of that is about to change, but you will probably say, "I'll believe it when I see it."  Me too.  I am a continual work in progress.  I want to act. It is time for me to sow seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  I have to plant in order to reap the benefits of my efforts.  If I do nothing, I should expect nothing.  You reap what you sow.  You get what give. Plant carefully, and don't forget to plant.
Here's the link to the Gem Personality Test if you are curious about what gem you are: What Gem are You?

Walking by Faith,

"Thanks for Noticing"

Many of us look forward to growing up. But when we get there, we wish we were kids again with not a care in the world.  My life is not where I imagined it would be at my nearly 32 years of age.  I can paint a woe is me, "thanks for noticin'" Eeyore picture or I can paint a positive enthusiastic Tigger "that is with a T-I-double guh- ER" picture of my life right now.  It is all dependent upon my perspective and attitude.  Many days I feel like Eeyore rather than Tigger.  I feel like I am merely walking through life and existing rather than living life with purpose and impact.  It is time for me to take responsibility.  I am to be held accountable for my choices.  According to the wise Noah Webster, I am responsible-accountable to God to use the talents that He gave me.

I was able to use my talent of teaching today.  I am not sure I completely honored God due to lack of preparation.  I volunteered to substitute for a Sunday School class, but I failed to prepare till the very last minute.  I also got a tap on the shoulder this morning saying I had Children's Church.  Again, no preparation.  I thank God for the talent He gives me to teach even on the fly, but I know that God wants my best.  My best is to be prepared and passionate about what He wants me to teach.  I need to have a Tigger mindset that just oozes with confidence and enthusiasm in my own special way.  Also, whatever I don't like about my life, I have the ability to change.  It is time to make those positive choices that will get me closer to where I want to be.  I need to choose to be prompt, prepared, and passionate in anything I do.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
~1 Corinthians 10:31

Application

"Ignorance on fire is better than knowledge on ice."

It is time to change.  I need to work harder on myself.  I need to become the person that I want to attract.  I need to act.  I have dreams, and I want them to come true.  If I do nothing, nothing will happen.  It is time for me to put action to the knowledge that I have gained over the course of my life.  I know but don't do. My primary focus is getting to my 100 pound party.  It has been a long time coming.  I will post my action steps toward that goal and the many other goals I have.  It is time for me to be transformed and to follow my heart and not my head according to the will of God.  I am looking forward to the next steps in my journey to wellness and whole living, and I give glory to God for all that He has done and is going to do.

Unconditional Love

Wow!  God has shown me so much lately.  Most of it has been difficult to swallow but good.  My latest post was posted out of loneliness and fear, and for that reason I regret posting it.  But God is always faithful and reassures his children of His presence.  He did that with me through a friend, a seminar speaker, and His Word.

I was on a typical "minding OTHER'S knittin'" adventure, when I was gently and firmly at the same time (if that's possible) reminded of who God wanted me to take care of and the sin in my life.  The following day I attended a seminar in which the speaker summarized the whole thing like this:

"Unconditional love is the key to unlock change."

That stuck with me so much personally, and was reiterated that evening in a devotion with the ladies of my church.  In I Corinthians 12, God outlines the various gifts of the Holy Spirit that are given to all believers and at the end of the chapter Paul speaks of "a more excellent way."   This "more excellent way" is love described so eloquently in chapter 13, the Love chapter, as it is often called.  All we do for God and others must be done in love or it is nothing.

A few days later after my previous post, God reminded me in Proverbs 18:22 that I am "to be found."  I have tried to claim this verse many times, but it is so difficult to wait "to be found."  I tend to get caught up in the "finding."  I am always on the lookout, and as I get older it gets harder to stop looking.  God has been so patient with me.  I am so thankful for His patience and unconditional love.  I am doing my best to rest in the magnitude of that thought and embrace the changes that will come from knowing Him and His love.

There is a Time...

Seasons are an inevitable part of life. They all have distinct qualities that make them unique. They all have difficult moments, but they are all there for a purpose. God brings each spring, summer, autumn, and winter into our life for His specific purpose. Each season is a learning experience for each one of us.

I have experienced many seasons just in this last year. I wish I had done some things differently, but ultimately I have learned from them and God has received the glory.

Of all of the seasons, autumn is my favorite. It is the season of change, where the leaves burst out in vibrant colors as the trees prepare for a winter's rest. I am in an autumn season in my life as I type, and my biggest struggle is confidence and strength in myself. I am finding it very difficult to surrender when the opportunity is staring me right in the face. As I inwardly struggle, I have to remind myself that God's grace is sufficient for me and I just need to trust in Him.

I hope and pray that whatever season you are in whether you are on the mountaintop or down in the valley; God will get the glory and praise and you can cling to Him no matter what.