Focus on the journey, not the destination.

Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.
Greg Anderson

Rut #1- Location, location!

I have often thought of myself as somewhat adventurous. Not too crazy, like jumping out of an airplane or anything (maybe someday). But I do like to stir things up a bit. While living in Colorado, I often found it much easier to change things up when things started to get a little…mundane. We could easily go to one of the many nearby trails. We also loved exploring the many parks in our area. There was no shortage of dog parks either. We would often take our pug Latte out and enjoy the scenery together as a family.

I don’t like ruts. I don’t like things the same for too long. I get bored and I know my kids do too. We all need a change of scenery from time to time. Its fun to go exploring our town and the different events it has to offer. Last year I moved to Brownsville, TX. I then started working Monday through Friday, and found myself getting into a little bit of rut. Ever been there? Work, pick up kids, after school snack, homework, dinner, sports, home, bath, bed… and you guessed it, repeat tomorrow.

And while it has been a little bit harder to find places to explore, it really is worth it. And while the weather may be a little warmer, being outside as a family has so many wonderful benefits! I also look up things going on in the community. Check your local community calendars- you are sure to find some fun events to change things up. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to find fun things to do. The best thing about our particular location is that we are 45 minuets from South Padre Island (oh, now you want to visit me!). Go ahead…explore the land!

Rut #2- Physical

Before you skip over this section, just stay with me for a moment. Hopefully, you’ll be glad you did! Before I started working five days a week, it was also much easier to work out on a regular basis when I had a job of like six hours a week. Then, when I moved here and started working, I noticed a little more wiggle in my step. A little more bounce in my pounce. I thought surely our scale was broken because the numbers just kept going up! (The Mexican food here is not only fabulous, but can be very damaging to the waistline). Finally, I realized I had to stop beating myself up. I somehow picked up the mindset that I was either going to be working out five times a week or not at all. And, with my new crazy schedule, not at all won.

I had to take a good look at my ‘physical’ life and how I was feeling. I remember how good it felt to run or ride my bike. I remember how comfortable I was in my skin. I decided that I wasn’t going to beat myself up any longer, but that I was going to do something if I had some spare time and the hubby was home, or even if I just went to the gym once that week, it was better than not at all. And you know what, I do feel better (regardless of what my scale might say!). But the most important lesson I have learned through all of this is to change it up. If you have access to a pool, swim once in a while, then maybe jog next time you go out. Go for a bike ride with your kids. I love a change of scenery! This will help you not to get bored and instead of seeing working out as a negative, it will actually turn into a positive. You will be amazed at how much better you feel! Go ahead and mix it up!

3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

Rut #3- Spiritual

I have heard people before talk about their quiet time as somewhat stale. Boring. And I think the main reason is that sometimes we get in a rut. Wake up, read daily Bible, pray for people on our little prayer list. Move on. I read a great article recently by Rebecca Pfortmiller in Gateways Studio G Magazine. If you get a chance, I highly recommend you read this article too! She says, “I try not to be too rigid on how I approach this time”.  There’s no ‘set’ way to have your quiet time. I like to get up early, make my coffee, and then tip toe (so I can keep it ‘quiet’ time) to my closet. I usually start by asking the Lord to speak to me before I read His Word. Then I read from the Bible, sometimes from my daily Bible, but other times I might be reading through one of the books from the Bible. I always have my journal handy in case I read something and feel like that’s specifically for me that day. And really it just depends after that. There are times when I turn up praise and worship, and just worship Him. There are also times when I will download different podcasts from some of my favorite speakers and listen to them as I’m cleaning or getting ready. There are some mornings when I just feel the need to thank Him, and I begin to list all that I am thankful for. And of course, I’m a big journal girl. Write it down! Whatever He’s doing, whatever you’re going through- it’s your journey with Him. Hab. 2:2- ²Then the Lord replied:“Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets”. That’s what I love about God- learning about Him never gets boring, and growing in Him isn’t dull. Loving Him and allowing Him to love on me is absolutely priceless. Go ahead, shake things up a bit!  

I know there are many other areas where it is good to get out of your rut. These are just three that that I was impressed to write about.  The biggest lesson with all of this is to not get legalistic with your schedules- whether it be your time with the Lord, exercise, or going places. Have fun! Life is a gift from God meant to be lived! And if you start to feel like the rut is sneaking back up on you… jump in the car and go anywhere!  Grab a book and head to your local coffee shop, grab a board game with the kids, throw the kids in the car (not literally) and go for a hike somewhere, go sit somewhere with an amazing view and read, journal, hang out with God! Mix it up ladies! For this New Year in 2012- let’s put our ruts on the shelves! Say no to ruts and yes to life!

Lord, as we begin a new year, would You help us to keep our lives filled with awe and wonder. Would You fill us up with the joy of the Lord, that can truly be our strength. Help us to live this life to the fullest, that others would see and want what we have…and that’s You! Thank you for the gift of life. Help us to not take it for granted, but to enjoy the journey. It’s a new year Lord- We commit it to You in all that we do. In Jesus name, amen.

Intentions: noun. A thing intended; an aim or plan.

I used to think all my good intentions should count for something, right? I mean, I really will at some point have that couple over for dinner. At least, I hope so. And I really will call that girl that’s been on my heart and see if we can meet up for coffee just as soon as things slow down.

What? Things don’t really slow down?

How do we change good intentions from a noun to a verb–an action? How do we allow our thoughts to move from a good thought to the actual doing? Hate to over-simplify, but if it’s important to us (which people should be), we’re going to have to fit them in. We need to make a conscious decision to stop ‘thinking’ about it and actually take the steps necessary to make it happen.

Have you ever said to someone, “We need to have y’all over for dinner.” But days come and go, and it never happens. Or then there are times when you do actually have someone over and you’re stressed out, running around like a mad person. And they come and you really enjoy the company, and when they leave, you look at your spouse and say, “That was so nice; we really need to do this more.”

When I moved here just over a year ago, I was looking forward to the new possibilities of getting to spend time with all my family here. We’ll hang out, go out to eat, watch movies, etc. etc. It will just be one big party. Okay, not exactly, but I knew having family close would really be nice.

Someone in particular I really felt like I needed to connect with was my cousin Laura. But as you know, life gets busy. Between working Monday through Friday, three kids, football and many church commitments, I didn’t get to see her very much. I always loved seeing her during the holidays or at baby showers. She recently moved to a beach condo and we talked of bringing the kids by to swim at her pool. We would talk (good intentions) about getting together for a run or something, but it just never happened.

Last Thursday night we received a phone call from my husband’s mom. It is a phone call I will never forget. We learned that night that my beautiful sweet cousin had passed. I’m not going to lie; even as I write this, I’m still in shock. She was 22, with her whole life in front of her. And the record that continues to play in my head sounds like this: I just thought I had more time. I just thought we had more time.

As I look back, I’ve had to learn some painful lessons. It hurts. To come to grips with the reality that I could have, would have, or should have.

Painful Lesson# 1: Jesus loved people. He has called us to love His people. NEVER ever take a person for granted and just ‘expect’ that they will be there forever. Do the people that God has placed in your life know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you love them unconditionally and that they matter to you? In James we are reminded of how short this life really is.

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14 (NIV)

This week has been a painful reminder that we truly never know how long our time is here on this earth.

Painful Lesson #2: All my good intentions are the same as not having any intentions. We need to live our lives on purpose. I’m starting to take notes. I’m going back to all my intentions, almost like an intention bucket list. Who did we say we are going to invite over recently? I’m writing it down, and going to make it happen. I’m taking notes the next time I say, “We really need to meet up.” Even with my kids. I can’t tell you how many times I say, “I really want to start …” Write it down. If it’s important, make it happen. Show people and your family that they are a priority to you.  Sometimes we get caught up on the temporary–and we miss out on the eternal.

Painful Lesson #3: The best present you could ever give someone is to be present. Live in the moment. As you learn not to take people for granted and to live your life on purpose, be present. The best friend someone could be is the friend who will turn off the TV (unless of course you’re watching a movie together), put down the cell phone (I promise Twitter and Facebook will still be there later), and just be present. Have you ever heard those sweepstakes commercials that say, “Must be present to win”? Well, it’s true in life also.  

We are given no promises for tomorrow. What will you do with today?

Lord, as we come before You today, would You forgive us for not treating others as sacred human beings that are made in Your image? We get lazy; we get comfortable. Help us to truly see the frailty of life and the gift in today. Help us to not take each other for granted but to love extravagantly, as You love us. Help us to turn our good intentions into actions. You, Lord, are ever so present with us–help us to live that way with others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

I signed my husband and I up for a triathlon about two months ago. This was his first and our first as a team. He was to swim; I was cycling and running. It was a gorgeous morning out at South Padre Island. Every now and then I like to sign up for some type of event just to hold myself accountable and to not completely turn into jello.

My husband finished his swim (with the help of the canoe people). Hey, he tried. I very much give him credit for trying. Not many husbands would jump into the bay at 7:30 in the morning for their wives. I quickly got the timing chip off of his leg and transitioned to my bike station; and I was off. It was hot. Every now and then the sand would blow and that wasn’t too pleasant. People would pass me. I would pass people. Then there was this girl. She and I were at about equal speeds. We still had about 7 miles left to pedal.

So what do girls do? We talk. Started with the normal, “What’s your name?” “Where are you from?”  Then got a little deeper from there. I found out that this girl has run nine marathons. Wow. I’m impressed. She said she was a flight attendant, and was able to travel to many of the more well know marathons like Boston Marathon and San Fransisco, and Hawaii. She also said that she has invited her mom to every single one of those- but her mom had declined. You see, her mom was, her words, a very ‘religious’ person. And all of her marathons landed on a Sunday. So, her mom couldn’t participate on the day of rest.

I think when I told her my husband and I were Children’s Pastors, she probably thought, “Oh no, another religious person.” But she realized I appeared to be pretty normal, so she kept talking. “You see, today is the first time my mom has ever come out to see me participate in any of my events.” Our event was on a Saturday. It was obvious the two weren’t as close as she would have liked to have been. I’m assuming this by her comment, “There’s my mom, the fat lady in the jean skit.”And we transitioned into the run. Went our separate ways- yelled bye, never to see her again.

My heart was a little sad that day for marathon girl. Because her mom was so blinded by all the religious rules, that she was missing out on a fabulous relationship with her  daughter who so desperately wanted her attention.

I learned two lessons from that bike ride:

1) Don’t get so caught up in rules that you loose the relationship. Jesus is all about people. Love God and love your neighbor. That’s it. When your little religious rituals take the place of people, you’ve just missed what Jesus is all about.

2) Never underestimate the power of seeds planted. (Even if only for a brief moment in time, on a bike). God may have allowed your paths to cross with someone for a season, for a few moments, or for a lifetime.  I know marathon girl has a very negative spin on most people who go to church or spew their religious beliefs. I hope that, on this particular day, that she saw someone who cared, someone who listened, and someone who didn’t tell her everything she’s doing wrong. That we aren’t all fruit cakes with our hair up in a bun waving our Jesus flag. I hope that through a regular girl like me, she saw Jesus.

Jesus said, “‘you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
(Matthew 22:37 – 40)

“To seek validation from others only leaves the soul thirsty for more; but to seek validation from the Lord leaves one’s soul satisfied.”

“Um, honey, have you seen all the laundry I did today?”

“Wow, it’s a lot of work to plan out all these meals.”

As you’re walking up the stairs: “Huff … puff … Gee, this is so heavy…”

C’mon, ladies, you know we all do it. We make these comments to let our spouse (and maybe even our children) know that we are working; and not just working, but darn it, we are working hard. We will usually give them about four minutes from the time they walk in the door from work to see if they’ve noticed all we have done, and if they don’t notice right away, we will quickly point it out to them.

Heaven help us if they think we’ve been sitting around, watching movies and eating bonbons all day. “Look, I went grocery shopping all by myself with three kids, planned the meals … oh and look, I cleaned out your closet. It looks so nice and organized now, doesn’t it?!” We wait for their approval.

And watch out if they’re home trying to relax after a long day at the office. We don’t say anything right away. We make noises. You know you do this. “Ugg..” “Woo … this is a lot of laundry to fold … ahem.” (As we clear our throats, thinking maybe they’ve just translated that into, “Hey babe, can you help fold while you’re watching your show?”)

What is it that we are searching for deep down in our inner souls? The Lord revealed it to me today as I was saying, “Honey, look at all this laundry I still have to do.”

I was looking for validation.

Another word for validation is evidence, or confirmation. I need you to confirm that what I’m doing really matters. I need you to see it. For me, I think I needed to be validated because I started working almost full time. I needed my husband to see how much I do, and how hard I work. There is something within me that needs to hear him say, “Wow, good job.” or, “I know you work so hard to keep our family going, thank you.”

Here’s the thing. As a mom, we are thirsty for validation. But more often than not, we don’t get what we ‘think’ we need, leaving us feeling unappreciated and drained. The Lord quietly took me aside today and said, “I validate you. I see your work when no one else does. You run your house, taking care of things no one else sees. No one else knows you spent hours filing bills and paperwork, taking care of the banking, or shopping with the kids in the grocery store, but I see it.”

Something arose within me to keep going, taking away the need to bring up how busy I’ve been in order to receive that validation of time well spent. The Lord knows- He sees everything.

Psalms 139:1-5
1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.

Here’s the Celeste translation:

You, Lord, know when I rise to pray. You know my every ache.

You know when I spend days doing unending laundry.

You know when I spend countless hours to make sure my family is fed.

You know when I have to go to work to help bring extra income in for our family.

You know when I’m just exhausted and worn out, and it is all I can do at the end of the day to fall into bed, and be ready to start all over again tomorrow.

Psalm 139:17-18
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.

Here’s the Celeste translation:

Daughter, I never stop thinking about you. I am with you always. I will give you the strength you need. I will bless you for all that you do, because you are being faithful with all that I have entrusted to you. When you sleep and when you rise, I am with you. I validate you. I see you. You are never alone.

Ladies, the Lord sees all that you do. It–your chores, your day–is never in vain. It matters. You make a difference. I’ve often heard the saying that the woman is the heartbeat of her home. Why do you think Proverbs refers to wisdom as ‘she’? We have the power to tear down or to build up our homes.

I encourage you to begin each day seeking the Lord for validation. Sit down with your prayer journal and your Bible. Ask Him: “Lord, do I matter? Am I making a difference?” I promise, you won’t be disappointed by what you hear. Allow the Lord to validate you as His daughter. When you make a difference in your home, you make a difference in the kingdom. As you go about throughout your day, it’s not strange to say, “Lord, look at all the laundry I’ve done!” Or “Lord, look how clean the house is!” He cares about EVERY detail of your day. You are so valuable and important to Him, and He desires to validate you!

Lord, there are days when we feel unappreciated and sometimes we just want to give up. Our husband or children might be incapable of always having the right words (or even any words) to bring that sense of validation that we are longing for. Lord, fill us up with Your words of love and validation. Every time we begin to feel that sense of anxiety because we are not feeling noticed, would You gently guide us back into Your Word and into Your presence? Fill us up and send us back out. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Hebrews 12:1-2a 

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

         For some reason lately, I’ve found myself on the A&E channel watching Hoarders. I know, I know… It’s like watching a train wreck and not being able to look away. You feel so sad for those people. There is something within them that is afraid to get rid of anything that has sentimental value. Or then there are the ones that have to keep everything ‘just in case’. And if you’re anything like me, you scream at the television, “Just get rid of it”. As a viewer, it’s so easy to see that once they get rid of all the junk, they will be free to move around, free to live in the today- not the past (memories) or the future (what if) but in the now! What is also interesting to me is that these people feel safe with all their stuff. For most of them, it’s all they’ve known for many years.

Here’s the Definition of hoarding: (Wikipedia)- “Compulsive hoarding (or pathological hoarding or disposophobia or the Messie mindset) is a mental disorder marked by an obsessive need to acquire (and failure to use or discard) a significant amount of possessions, even if the items are worthless, hazardous, or unsanitary.” Compulsive hoarding causes significant clutter and impairment to basic living activities, including mobility, cooking, cleaning, showering, and sleeping.

I bet for most of you reading, you would say you are definitely not a hoarder. I will be the first to tell you I love to get rid of things. It is so freeing to purge, donate, and give away. The result is a cleaner, more organized space. It feels really good!

What about “spiritual hoarding”? Do you have some people in your past that have hurt you, and even though it doesn’t feel good, it feels very safe to hold on to that unforgiveness? What other emotions do you hold on to? Anger, resentment, or perhaps bitterness? Things didn’t go in life as you had expected them to. A friend has betrayed your trust. A loved one has hurt you. Your spouse has said some very hurtful things, and your still holding on to those.

Sometimes spiritual hoarding can cause impairment to basic Christian living activities such as getting close to people, getting plugged in to a small group, or even something simple like having people over for dinner. The fear of being vulnerable and getting hurt. The fear of being let down again. So what do we do? We hoard. We hold on to those emotions that stifle our Christian life.  I’m holding on to this anger about so and so just in case I might need it again. I’m holding on to unforgiveness towards so and so just in case I need to pull out my victim card. This way it’s safe. I don’t have to get close to any one, so I don’t have to risk getting hurt again. I’m keeping that.

But what if we were able to de-clutter our negative feelings and emotions? What if we could allow Jesus to deep clean, deep within us? What if we could confess our own unforgiveness toward someone and ask Jesus to pull up the big blue dump truck and haul it all away? What if God could bring in His crew of angels and start shoveling out all the junk lying on the floors of our heart?  You see, as long as your hoarding the pain of your past, it will ultimately pile up a lot of negative emotions. You just blow up in anger and then say, “Where did that come from?” You might feel just like those people on hoarders- hard to walk and maneuver in this life- hard to do basic things without feeling like something could fall on you at any time.

On the actual show they bring in a counselor- for spiritual hoarding that would be the Holy Spirit. They bring in a crew to help- God’s angels. They bring in Matt Paxton- Jesus (I know… it’s a stretch). They bring in family members- the church. And they bring in someone who specializes in that particular disorder- God. (Because really, God is all knowing, and since He made us, who better?)  And together, they throw down a tarp, and lay it all out there. The hoarder at this point must be vulnerable and lay all his/her stuff out there. It’s not pretty at first. But as you allow the Helpers to work together (God, His angels, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the church)- I guarantee you will begin to move around a little easier. You will begin to live in the here and now, you will begin to let go of the past, and you will begin to see past the clutter. Now that’s what I call freedom baby!

Lord, we all at some point in our lives have held on to those things that You have asked us to let go of. Baggage. Junk. Sometimes we don’t even realize it until something comes up and we spew out ugly emotions. Lord, would you show us what that thing is that we’re hoarding. Help us bring it before you and your team of experts. Fill up your heavenly dump truck. Take it away Lord. Help us to live out the freedom of an uncluttered heart and a clean life. No more spiritual hoarding Lord. I give it all to You. In your precious name we pray, amen!

We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing~ Billy Graham

]]> http://celestebarnard.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/spiritual-hoarding/feed/ 0 spiritualpassion hoarding http://celestebarnard.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/lessons-from-a-bus-stop/ http://celestebarnard.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/lessons-from-a-bus-stop/#comments Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:51:03 +0000 spiritualpassion http://celestebarnard.wordpress.com/?p=611 Continue reading »

I had much to do today on my to-do list. I knew I needed to go to Wal-Mart, although for me, Wal-Mart is anything but enjoyable. I made it there just in time with the rest of what seemed to be the entire town. (Do people call each other and say, “Let’s all go to Wal-Mart?”) It was crowded in the parking lot. I got a less than ideal spot. I tried to keep the positive mantras going in my head while shopping.  “I’m almost done”, or “you can do this”. Funny, you would think I was running a marathon or something. Finally, finished my shopping workout, and headed to the shortest line. (Which was not short, might I add.)  I often think the Lord puts me in lines where people need a price check on some random item that no one can find just to work out my patience a little.

Checked out and walking my shopping cart to the car. On this particular day, it was particularly hot. I was dripping from sweat before I even made it to the car. Mantras- keem ‘em coming. “You’re almost done, and you will be home soon”. “You’ve got this, finish line is ahead”. I loaded up my mini van and proceeded to maneuver my way around the busy parking lot. Caught myself complaining about how hot it was and how it takes forever for my van to cool down.

As I was leaving the parking lot, I looked over to the right. Saw a bus stop. Saw a woman- dripping with sweat. She had three children. One looked to be asleep on her lap, while she rubbed her forehead to cool her down. Her other two small children were trying to stay cool while sitting under a small shade tree. Each of them were holding a few grocery bags for their mom. And I drove by in my air-conditioned mini-van, driving to my new home, while the kids were home with daddy. Her deep brown eyes spoke more to me than any sermon  I had heard that month.

Humbled- seems to be a theme in my life right now. Whenever you think you have it rough, I promise you, there is always someone who has it harder. I said a prayer for that woman and her children as I drove home that day. Then I quickly repented for being so spoiled. I repented for complaining- or even fighting the desire to complain because my perfect little world wasn’t as comfortable as I had wanted it to be.

Lord, thank you that I am still teachable. Remind me when I feel the need or urge to complain, of my many blessings and help me not to take them for granted. Thank you for a car (with air), my home, my husband who helps with our children, and for the money to go to Wal-Mart to buy the groceries for my family. And remind me daily, there will always be someone who has it harder. I know that one hard day with you is better than a million days without You. For I am blessed- don’t let me forget it! Amen

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Lord, Help us in times when we are feeling inadequate or not enough. Help us to be like that little boy and say, I know its not much, but its all I’ve got. Remind us that its nothing that we can do in our own strength. But only when we lift it up to You, that You can bless it and cause it to multiply.

I found myself in quite a mess today. You see, I have one of those swimming pools that you blow up- but it’s a good size. Looks so easy on the box. Just blow up the top and fill with water. “I can do that,” I thought. So we set it up. Not quite as easy as they make it out to be. Nonetheless, we did it. My husband and I figured out how to add the chemicals. It worked well the first few weeks. Then, we got busy. Before we knew it our pool turned green! We kept putting it off. “Oh, we’ll get to it later,” we would say. But later never came.

So today, after many weeks of neglect, I set out to clean the pool. The kids were having their friends over, and I told them they could swim! I knew it was a green, nasty mess. I was avoiding this project at all costs. Let me just tell you, I scrubbed, and scrubbed and scrubbed. I was on my hands and knees in green yucky mess- scrub, drain. Scrub, drain. This continued for over 3 hours. Then with the wet vac. I sucked all that murky mess up. And wouldn’t you know it, learned a very valuable lesson today. (My lessons are usually learned this way).

Do you ever have things to get done, that you put off until the last minute?  You know, the stuff we dread doing, but need to get done. If you are anything like me you will get easily distracted (by the stuff you want to do) and find there’s no time left to do what you really needed to do. It could be calling people back, putting away laundry, and possibly going to the dreaded grocery store. The problem is, if I wait too long to do what I was suppose to do, sometimes I can have a mess on my hands! Bills get paid late, people start thinking your avoiding them, no dinner in the fridge to make, etc. etc.

Truth is, as I was scrubbing the pool today, I realized I should have done this when I noticed the waters starting to get green- not when the swampness monster moved in. I could have had it knocked out in less than an hour. Lesson learned… lesson learned.

Never put off tomorrow, what can be done today~ Thomas Jefferson

      The Lord will sometimes get my attention when I’m out for a run. Anybody else? I like this. Well, except for when I’m not running. Today was no different. I was jogging along in the hot sun. Sweat dripping (I mean…dripping) off my face. I run past a tree with large white blossoms blooming throughout each branch. There is beautifully landscaped grass all around it. “Now that is beautiful,” I thought to myself.

       Then as I run a little further, I see something purple in the tall, mangy, unkept grass. It was a beautiful purple flower- almost hidden by the tall grass. Now, unlike the large white flowers woven throughout the tree branches, screaming, “Hey, look at me!” “I’m beautiful!” -this little purple flower was hidden to anyone running by too fast. Yet, if you took the time to notice- she was really quite stunning.

      Today, the Lord taught me something about friendship. There are always going to be people that are easier to be friends with. Their bubbly, outgoing appearance makes it easy to see their qualities. And that’s wonderful! But sometimes, if we can slow down just long enough, we will notice someone- the quiet flower. And if we give them the time, we will find out just how beautiful they truly are. Many of these flowers often get overlooked. But God would ask today, who is right there in front of you that you sometimes run by and don’t even notice? She too is blooming just as the other flowers, yet often gets crowded out by the noise.

Today I encourage you to look for the hidden, quiet flower. Stop long enough to see her for who she is- in all of her splendor- one of God’s beautiful masterpieces.

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She searched for hours through the Internet, looking for creative ways to write.

She had an entire shelf full of writer’s books- I suppose if she had read them all, she would surely be proficient in writing.

Whenever she found herself browsing the local bookstore, which was quite often, her feet would quickly take her to the vast section on all of the latest self-publishing guides and all of the self help books for writers.

She purchased most of the suggested reads like Bird By Bird by Anne Lamont, and several by James Scott Bell.

She followed some of the top literary agents to find out what they were looking for in a writer.

She often found herself thinking of writing and oh the stories she would tell.

She perused all the writing contests and subscribed to all of the writer’s newsletters.

“I wonder what it would be like to write for a living,” she thought.

She had a very nice web site in which boasted of her writing skill. Why she would spend hours updating her pictures, adding ways to follow her, and moving pages around.

She was known for quoting the best quotes (from other authors) on Twitter and Facebook.

She was even a part of an online writing group where she could read about what the other writers were writing about.

She would often look at other writers and think, “If only I had time like them. Then I would surely write my stories,”

She enjoyed watching Youtube videos about authors and writers.

Whenever in a circle of peers and the subject of writing came up, she would quickly share all that she’s learned in her years of study.

Days passed and turned into years. Unfortunately, she still loves the ‘idea’ of writing. But she just couldn’t quite discipline herself to actually follow through with the actual writing part of writing.

The moral of this story is: If you have a gift inside, then it will take hard work and discipline. You will have to make the time. It might be years before anyone reads your story, but the craft is not crafted unless crafting is done.

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