Am I shining?

On Friday, I had a busy day. I started out to my chiropractor's office, and learned I had a low tire. I stopped my Roselle Tire and Auto for them to check it. After filling it with air and waiting for a time, it was decided it would last for a few days. (I may have a slow rim leak). Due to the flat, I changed my appointment time to later in the afternoon. On the way to Dr. Moore's I stopped and did some grocery shopping. On the way home from Dr. Moore's I decide to treat myself to a Fajita Bowl. I love their chips, but just didn't think I should spend the money. But as I was leaving the clerk smiled at me, and added a bag of chips to my bag.."you were kind". How cool is that??!!

I love it when God gives me special treats!

On the way home I was thinking.. what if I had been upset or angry because the day didn't go as I HAD PLANNED? What if I was mad for having to change my schedule or because my pain level was high? Oh, there were many reason which I could have used to be unkind to others.... but that isn't demonstrating God's love.

I have no "right" to be rude, angry, mean or any other feeling you can think of.. to anyone, just because of the way I FEEL or the way I WAS TREATED, or because of WHAT HAPPENED to ME... I have no right at all.... because it's not to be about ME....rather it's to be about GOD. We are to be showing others we are different. There is to be something about us that makes others say, she's different, or she's kind.

We are to be different,
because GOD dwells within us. 

We are to show HIM to those around us.

I can return to that store to buy another Fajita Bowl, and when I do, I'll smile again....no, not asking for more chips.. but because I want the opportunity to say "God loves you!". You see, I made an impression on those people, and from their response, it was positive. Everywhere we go, people are watching us. We make impressions on people... are we showing a positive or negative picture?

Creating a positive day isn't just about making my day better. Rather, it's about being able to share God's love with those I have contact. And when I remember that people are seeing God through me... I have a responsibility to allow Him to shine brightly through me.

Broke My Bank..literally!

This morning, I broke my bank. It was a bank I've used for 34 years; a glass elephant. I used the bank for my loose change. When it was full, I'd take the coins to my bank and use the money for fun stuff. Over the years, the money has bought me many things.. and even gifts for others. But as I started thinking about what I actually bought with the money...to be honest, I couldn't remember a single thing!! Wow! I saved money for 34 years, and don't remember what I bought with it.

That reminded me of Matthew 6:20, "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Am I storing up treasure in heaven? The next verse reads: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Where is my treasure and where is my heart?

I'm going to get a new bank, and continue storing up my loose change. But I hope the next 34 years, I spend the money on something worthwhile enough that I remember it. And I'm going to work harder at storing up treasure in heaven...that's something I'll remember for ETERNITY!

More important than creating a positive day, is creating a day in which I glorify God. As I go about my day, I should be serving God through my actions and attitude. Keeping my heart focused on God and living for Him will put a positive spin on any day!

Etched in Stone

I'm a researcher and planner. I can't make any decision without doing research and more research and even more research, just in case I missed something in the first few searches. I like all the facts.....then I think it all through and make my decision.

Once I make the decision, I'm 120% all go. Being a goal oriented person, I like knowing where I'm going and having a plan on how to get there. However, God has taught me over the years, that walking by faith means that I don't have to always know everything.

And if my plans are changed...it's okay.

It's good to research and plan, as long as I remain sensitive to God's leading. I can't allow my goals and plans to be etched in stone, and not allow God to change them so that I can accomplish His will. Being soft and pliable is vital to God directing me. How does a person like me, who likes to have it all planned out, remain soft and pliable? By keeping my focus on God.

To stay on the right track, I have to check in with God each and every day. I also am thankful for friends who help keep me in check. If I am not sure of how to proceed, I stop and take inventory. Then after talking with God and some godly friends, I move forward.

There are times, when I go in the wrong direction. And I'm so very thankful that God uses those detours to teach me and then directs me back to the right track. After a few detours, you'd think I'd learn... but being human.. I do take wrong turns. God graciously continues to work with me.

I will still research things and make plans... that's part of who I am.

However, I need to remember that my plans however good they may be, aren't necessarily etched in stone.

Creating a positive day is easy when I allow God to direct my steps. When I'm soft and pliable in His hands, He can lead me in the direction I should go. When I'm walking with God, He has a way of making each day great. A positive day is not based upon my pain level, but rather knowing that God is in control!

365 Days of Thanks....Scrap!

For Scrapers out there, if you go to
http://www.craftyscrapschat.com/,
and look under the CREATIVE TEAM's Freebie Collections Section, you can find the
365 Days of Thanks Kits!

You will also find

365 Days of Thanks Calendars! 

The calendars will help you keep track of all the things for which you are thankful!

(You can download this image, but it is a lower resolution

than the one at http://www.craftyscrapschat.com/.)

 And I want to give a big thanks to www.digiwebstudio.com 

for the Penguin Images! They are so cute!

The calendars and kits are for Personal Use only.

You may not sell them or use them to create kits.

365 Days of Thanks!

Yesterday, I started my 365 Days of Thanks. I'm looking forward to thanking God for one thing each day.

On January 1st, I was (am) very thankful for Max. Max woke me up with soft chirps; it was so sweet. Throughout the day, Max was very chatty and enjoyed being near me. He made me laugh when we were watching the football games. Each time the Refs blew their whistles, Max would "yell" at the TV. Not sure if he was disagreeing with the Refs or yelling at the players who made the mistakes, or a combination of the two. It was funny.

The Florida Gator game was on late, and since the Gators were so far ahead, I figured I didn't need to watch the end of the game. Max, however, didn't want to go to bed... he wanted to see how the game ended! When I tried to take him back to his night cage, he flew back to the living room and made it very clear, he wasn't ready for bed.... so we watched the end of the game. After the game was over, Max very easily went to bed...we were both very happy with the 51 to 24 Gator Victory.

Jan 2nd isn't over yet, but I think my "thank" today is the location of my apartment. Being on the 2nd floor gives me a balcony which the birds can enjoy, but the Canadian Geese, cannot. Today, due to the cold, I changed the birds water, 5 times! Between the water freezing and the birds taking baths in the warm water, it needed changing. Max also enjoys "talking" with the birds as they come to eat and sun themselves on the balcony.

I also enjoy the view from my windows. I can see the tops of trees and see the birds as they fly around. The sun also fills my apartment. On these cold winter days having the apartment warmed by the sun...is well just wonderful! Yes, I'm very thankful for the location of the apartment.