The Resilient Spirit

Some of us pray for patience, and some for strength, some pray for peace, and some just for a way to make it through. They say that it's not IF difficult times will come our way, it's just a matter of WHEN. So for me, I pray for resilience, to bring me back quickly and place me back on track and back to that place of focus.  

Have you ever watched a group of children playing? There are usually two kids in particular that stand out. There's the one kid that you'll see fall or get hurt in some way and they react in one of two ways. They either run crying and never return, or they sit where they fall for a long while sulking and waiting for someone to come rescue them. I think this may be the girl that I was in the past, as a child, and maybe a little into my adulthood...

Then there's the other kid. This kid falls, pauses for just a moment, and jumps right back up and is right back in it. Takes off running, stumbles, pushes himself up and keeps on running. Someone says something to him. It doesn't faze him. He shrugs his shoulders and keeps on going. This kid is my hero. He just doesn't stop. He refuses to stop. He is completely sure that what he's got his eyes on is so much bigger than that one moment, and with this he moves forward with little to no hesitation. As simple minded as it seems. This is my visual of a resilient spirit and this is the kid I want to be for the rest of my life.

I believe that it is a fact that the closer your relationship to God, the stronger your faith, the more resilient you become.

In my life I've had to face many things and over time have come to learn that there are three things you have do to get from one moment to the next. It doesn't matter what the situation, whether it's money or health or relationship issues. The three things you must do are recognize, receive, and respond.

First, recognize that you are not in control. God is in control and that he has a plan for you that may not be what you want at that particular time. You have to recognize that God's plan is bigger than the moment, bigger than you, bigger than any of us. And God's plan is perfect. 

Second, receive guidance from the One and Only. You have to stop immediately and pray for God's wisdom and guidance. Listen to your heart and what He's trying to reveal to you and seek His wisdom, not your own. Seek and you WILL find. He will speak to you in a personal and intimate way. The way that He knows best to communicate to you. 

Lastly, but most important is to respond. You have to act on the spirits prompting. You have to move forward with your eyes open and focused on the one who will lead you to that place which He knows is best for you. You could also say obey. I know a lot of people don't like that word but it is not a punishment word. It's a word of trust and faith. You have to remember that if God shows a way or asks you to do something that He will provide you with what you need to get there. That is a fact. Whatever you do don't isolate yourself and stay in the moment. MOVE FORWARD... and do so in faith.

So, here in my current quest to conquer the elephant I am learning and relearning how to do all of these things. Sometimes I forget but never for too long. I have a great circle of friends and an awesome support system.

The Resilient Spirit that is led by God can accomplish great things! All through Him of course. It's not easy I know, but I will always envision myself in every situation as "that" kid, but the one who doesn't stop. The one who keeps going. It's ok to feel bummed when something happens but not ok to let yourself feel defeated, because you're not. Be confident that you are a child of the creator of all things. The one who hung the stars and set them in motion also did the same for you. You however have a greater purpose, in a much bigger story. One that reaches far past anything that may try to trip us up along the way. Be resilient and remember who you are. 

And so... I have updates! Thanks to Uncle Sam, so far this month I have paid $2500 of my debt off and God willing will be moving into my own place again with an amazing roommate! Not to mention, in THE HEART OF SAN ANTONIO! I am very excited about this and hope to have some more things taken care of in the next few weeks. I am also tithing at 40% now and feeling great about it. I just have to keep reminding myself one moment at a time, one bill at a time, one day at a time...

Thing to remember: Recognize, Receive, Respond!

Next: Getting Back to Me

What's Next?

What's next? A question that tumbles through my mind daily. Honestly, maybe to the point of obsessing. I took a personality quiz one time and the result was that I am a futurist.  Always thinking about the future, always planning, always basing my actions and decisions on what "might" happen in the future. I guess in a way that can be good. Right? It's good to think ahead. It's good to plan. It's good to imagine all of the many possibilities, but where the problem lies is in the execution.

I will tell you, I can get completely lost in a day dream. Oh the life I have planned in my mind... and in my mind I'm already there! I will sit and think about things until I have run all possible scenarios through in my mind. I will plan and have all the details laid out. I will think and think and think and think and think...

Those who know me on a personal level often make fun of me for that glazed over look in my eyes. Well, that's not me having a blonde moment or trying to avoid or remove myself from the moment. That's me thinking about what's next. Sad thing is that sometimes without me even meaning to, I totally miss out on the here and now.

But this is just me right??? It's who I am. It's how I was made. I can't help it... or can I? So here's the thing. I realize that this has become some what of a fault of mine. Yes, it is part of my make up and in a way I think an important part of my character. What I need to do though is to learn how to use it in the right way. I need to set aside time to think about things and then take the time to act on those thoughts. Think and do. Think and act. Maybe I should really say think and live, or think and be.

How much time do we waste worrying about the future? We try to plan our lives to such a strict line that when it doesn't go the way we planned we are completely lost. How about living by faith? How about living in the here and now? Maybe it's time to refocus my thoughts and set up a basic plan, which I have, and let God fill in the rest of details.

I saw something the other day that said, "You never know what is gained by forgetting about the future." I think that might be very true. A lot of my thoughts are spent on a life I've created that doesn't exist. Plans fall through, people in your life leave, seasons change. What is truly important is today, right now, right here where we are standing. This moment is pivotal and will never pass our way again. Ever.  

So what's next??? Who knows?! I've got my plan and my focus is today. What I can do today, what has been given to me today, what I can accomplish today and who I am surrounded by today. Tomorrow will be here soon enough. Today however will be gone before we know it!

Thinking too much can cause us to drift out of mind and out of spirit. It leads away from the moment and away from our purpose right now. To keep your spirit centered you have to keep your thoughts centered and focused on the right stuff. Be in constant prayer and not constant worry. Plant your feet and walk steady with purpose. That way when the next thing comes you will just flow right into it with a clear mind and being led by the one who should be directing our steps in the first place.  

Thing to remember: Live for today!

Next: The Resilient Spirit

On a side note: With all of the crazy that's been going on in my schedule I had to put off my $2/day challenge but I will definitely be getting back to that soon!

I'm back... To Live by FAITH

After being wisked away to Fort Worth for work, I am finally back! It's been a crazy few weeks for me but I am taking the time to refocus and jumping back in.

So today I want to talk about Living by Faith. What exactly does that mean to you? More so, what does it mean to me??? This is my take on it... Faith is not a lesson to be learned but rather a compulsion of our spirit to lead us forward with the inherent knowledge that God has placed within our hearts. Faith is reaching out into the darkness and grabbing onto that which our hearts know to be true. Faith is stepping forward into uncertainty and knowing that your foot will land on solid ground. Faith is the peace in the midst of chaos. It is calmness in the storm. It moves us forward. It leads us. Faith carries us and catches us when we fall. Faith restores our soul. Faith whispers to us of the promises made long ago and with child like innocence we believe... In short I think it's safe to say that my belief and trust in God and His will for me is faith.

I think I could spend a couple lifetimes learning to master the act of faith, but actually it's really not all that difficult. Not as long as I set aside my pride, control issues, fears, reminders of past heartaches, and self absorbed thoughts. Wow! Where did that come from? Well maybe it's not all that easy but looking at what just came to my mind to write down sure tells me where I need to start.

Listen, we all have issues to overcome, layers to peel, internal house cleaning to do so to say. The question I ask myself though is how can I work on these issues and at the same time live a faith led life? The answer that is coming to my mind is this. To live by faith is a step by step into the unknown while "trusting" that God is going to lead me in the right direction. Will it be easy? No. Am I going to stumble along the way? Yes. Is it going always go my way? Most definitely not. Let's be honest I need to take the focus off of me and step outside of my little box.

When this year began I decided that my only resolution would be probably one of the most difficult things yet for me to do and that is to let go and surrender. Surrender to the life that I have been given and the path that lies ahead, which at this time is unknown to me. And as difficult as this may be for me, I know that the only way that I will be able to do this is to live by faith. To take one step at a time into the uncertainty that lies
ahead with the belief that I will land on solid ground. All along knowing that I'm not alone in this and for every season there's a reason and lesson to be learned, a task to fulfill. To live in faith is to fall into purpose and this is what makes life worth living.

Thing to remember: Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Next: What's Next???