Wow! After last
night, I was hoping that today would be a little easier. But, today began with
snow. Not sunshine and snow. Clouds and snow.
That freezing white stuff that causes traffic to stop, fingers to go
numb and turns windows to ice. It was 68 degrees just three days ago, but it’s
been freezing ever since. Welcome to Northwest Ohio. As I meandered into work
today, navigating the slush and traffic, I realized that the snow, sunken skies
and clouds were interfering with my happy. It was replacing my normal 'la tee da'
with a 'ho hum drum.'
When I finally made
it to my desk, heels and all, colleague after colleague griped about the
weather. I was too. Griping, that is. Inside.
I mean, it’s Easter in 2 ½ weeks, and it’s snowing. Uggh. That is…until I began to realize that my
Wednesday momentum was being chased away by a few clouds and flurries. That I
was allowing my happy to be determined by the weather. And…..I determined not
to let that happen. I determined to be happy despite the weather. Despite my
current circumstances. Despite the fact that I didn’t get much sleep because my
youngest accidentally sprayed police strength mace in the house last night,
causing itching skin, irritated eyes and throats, and freezing cold (because we
had to open the windows for a few hours). Despite the fact that it is scheduled
to snow tomorrow. Again.
I have determined to not be ruled by my circumstance. To be an encourager rather than a discourager, an upper and not a downer. To be a ‘glass half full’ kind of girl and not the other way around. An optimist. To find a way to enjoy that cold white stuff. “That crummy weather,” vs “God’s beautiful display of white.” “Traffic was at a standstill,” vs “I had extra time to pray on my way to work this morning.” “It seems like Monday,” vs “It’s Wednesday, and that means just two more days until the weekend.”
Lord, please show me how You see me. Through Your eyes. How I am an encourager. How I am not always one step forward and two steps backwards. Through Your eyes, Jesus. Through Your eyes. Let me see and experience Your creation as You created me to. Through Your eyes. To see and experience my life. The lives of others. Through Your eyes. To be who You have called me to be. Through Your eyes.
And I sit. Quietly. Reflectively. As He reminds me I have a 19 year daughter who just endured an excrutiating medical procedure yesterday, and I heard nary a wimper from her. I remember, she’s an extension of me, and I am blessed. I look at the handwritten note above my desk, from my then 20 year old daughter, which says, “Mom, I love you! I really do. (hearts) Joy,” and remember I am loved. I listen to my 17 year old son constantly asking me questions about the Word of God. Searching. Seeking Truth. And I am encouraged.
He reminds me I am
fierce when I am defending the lives of the unborn. When I hug a young, unwed
mother and encourage her in her decision to place her child for adoption or to
keep it. When I am politically incorrect and speak for those who cannot speak
for themselves. I am fierce.
That I am brave
when I post things on Facebook that I wouldn’t ordinarily say, but that
definitely need to be said or made known. When I stand for justice in the face
of backlash. When I defend the broken at the risk of becoming broken myself.
And although I may not ‘feel’ brave, I am because He has not only made me
so, but has called me to be.
That He has made
me generous. Not just in material goods and finances, but in spirit. In joy. In
encouragement. With my time. In helping others. In sharing. And I smile.
That I am savvy.
Sitting in the silence when words are not necessary. Speaking when words are.
Hugging and holding when that’s all that a person needs. Ahhh. Savvy. I like
that one.
Undaunted. He
reminds me that I focus on His Word. His Truth. And I do not waver. I will not
waver. That I KNOW, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He will. That He does. And
I sigh in comfort.
That I am zealous.
In this world of insults and injuries, I love unconditionally. I covet His love
and give it to others. I want others to experience what I do. To love as I am
loved. To know Him as I do.
Courageous. When
push comes to shove, I ‘get ‘er done.’ Regardless. I totally shun criticism and
just do it. Throwing political correctness to the wind. Gently stepping on a
few toes and leading others towards truth and righteousness. Dealing with those
who choose to stomp on my courage, relying on the One who displayed the ultimate
courage.
A healer. Hmmmm. I
know I have been healed countless times by the Creator, but me? A healer? Then,
He reminds me that I massage wounds by speaking Truth and Life into the hearts
and lives of the hurting. Of the broken. Of the disadvantaged. Of the
discouraged. Healing.
Creative. Even
though I am an Accountant, with a Type A personality, creativity rocks. By
creatively encouraging, and speaking words into someone’s soul that she needs
and longs to hear, I guess I am creative. By reaching into her world and
helping her devise a help, there’s creativity in action.
And bold. I love
boldness in it’s righteous form. Bold for God. Using my megaphone to celebrate
our unsung heroes. The homeless who actually go to work every day. The student
who is paying his entire way through school. Alone. The widow who volunteers in
her community. The child with a learning disorder who struggles daily. The
military. The single moms. The unwed, pregnant girls, who are opting to have
their children. Boldness!
And confidence. I
know this world has sharp edges. That it can hurt. That it can be unbearable. I
know there are homeless and broken virtually everywhere. I also know the One
who gives me hope. Who has all of the answers needed to combat those sharp
edges. Who everyone needs to know.
OK. In and of myself, I can't honestly say that I am any of these things. Not a one. But in Christ, I am absolutely all of these things. And many more. I am sure you are, too. Especially if you are an encourager, like me. If there's one thing I've learned in my 50 years, other than change is about as inevitable as death and taxes, is when I encourage someone, we both feel better. The world becomes a better place. I am living out my testimony. The Great Commission. And that's always a good thing.
So, go ahead. Encourage someone today. Be fierce. Be brave and generous. Be savvy. Stay undaunted. Use your giftings. Be zealous and courageous. Heal in the name of Jesus. Be creative and bold. And. Be. Confident. In Jesus' Name.
Be blessed today, and thanks for stopping by, Shari
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