Your SHAPE

What is your SHAPE? You may be thinking why would she ask my shape, my body type, what size am I.  It doesn’t have anything to do with anything and it’s none of her business.

SHAPE means something different:

S – spiritual gifts

H- heart

A – abilities

P – personality

E – experiences

Rick Warren refers to our SHAPE as a guide to our purpose.  Those parts God wants to use for his glory.  He put us together.

You may think you have experienced some challenges, you may not think you are successful,  you may have made mistakes, had setbacks so how in the world could  or would God use me?

I have thought the same thing and then I had to admit it’s not about me.

We are all different, unique in our own way.  Some short, tall, good with their hands, good with computers, can run extremely fast, a great pitcher, funny, singers, compassionate and the list goes on and on.

I am unique everything about me is special. No matter what God still loves me.  I have been shown favor.  I have overcome.  I am still standing.

My story may be the only example of God’s goodness.  My story may be the hope for someone that has lost all hope.   My smile may cheer up the person that received bad news. My attitude may encourage someone to continue the fight.

We may never know the impact we have on another person.   It could be on our job, at our place of worship, in the grocery store or even at the park.   Just keep using your Unique SHAPE and God will do the rest.

 

 

Blessings,

 

Terry

Being Thankful

It’s Monday morning the start of another week and my routine.  I am driving to drop my daughter off at work, it’s rather cloudy, not a lot of traffic, a nice breeze considering it’s been in the upper 90’s and humid.  She was listening to music on her head phones and I started this conversation with God.  Thanking him for……

my sight, my hearing, my children, my grandchildren, my parents, my siblings, my job, my house, food in the refrigerator, loving family and friends, people that care about me, creative ideas, peace, wisdom, forgiveness ( I am not perfect), clothes to wear, shoes on my feet, ability to read, being my provider, being my doctor, being my lawyer, new opportunities, new relationships, favor with people I meet, protecting me, his Grace and Mercy, his love, ability to move my limbs, my health, not giving up on me, keeping me in my right mind, the flowers, trees, ability to drive, being with me during the hardest times of my life, providing comfort when no one else was around, opportunities to travel, allowing me to question situations that I just didn’t understand, creating me, accepting me for who I am, watching over my family when they are away, providing for my family when I am unable, keeping us save from harm, guiding my decisions, listening to me…………..

This went on and on.  The joy that I felt was overwhelming.  I just looked around, I thought about the things many of us take for granted, the blessings I have received.  This list is not all.

I wonder how long would it take to Thank God for everything that he has done.  So as I start this week I am so grateful to such an awesome God.  When I have those little moments I can just look around and realize how Blessed I am. My frown can be turned upside down.

What About You?

Take a few minutes and start listing what you are Thankful For.

Have a super fantastic day!!!!!!!

Blessings,

Terry

The Little Joys

If you are like me and the rest of the world you sometimes have one of those days that you just want to scream.  Not anything major just  a few this and that’s that just add up to make you boil.

Was it work, something at home, on the drive to or from work.  Or was it a phone call you received. Whatever it was just shake it off .

Sometimes that is easier said than done.   But you know God has a way of providing just what you need at the right time.

He has done just that for me.  Lately, when I have those challenging days I get a little surprise each time.  What is that little surprise you ask?  Here is that little surprise!

 

My Grand daughter manages to show up just when I need a hug.  She is a wonderful distraction and puts things in perspective.  Those annoyances are really not that important.

Just pay attention God really does give you what you need.  It may not seem like much.  Look for the little blessings!!!

 

Be Blessed,

 

Terry

 

Instructions for Life

Good Evening,

It’s been a minute since my last post. Life has happened, the washer went out, the refrigerator went out, issues with my car, the weather changed and its been cooooold and windyyyyy. I couldn’t believe what they wanted for refrigerators and they didn’t come with any food inside. Going a week without a fridge hurts the pocket. I tried several options that I thought of as well as referrals. Nothing was working out. Talk about frustrated. I was ready to just scream. I asked myself why was this happening to me and at this time.
God had other plans and provided my answer. I went to the store and was throwing away my receipt when I looked on the back and noticed the name of a place that never occurred to me. There was my answer, they took away the old fridge and brought the new one all in the same day. Believe it or not I actually missed cooking. LOL.
As I was removing items on the old fridge I found this list that my Mother had from 2000 and thought I would share. Just a reminder of a few important things in life.

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R’s: Respect for self, Respect for others and Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.is
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

Blessings.

 

Being A Blessing Is A Luxury ;)

In the middle of your trials take a minute and do something for someone else.
You will feel better.

A Model of Life

Life is about service. Serving mankind.

How else are we suppose to grow without helping another?

Today, I woke up this morning encouraging another to be a blessing to someone. You never know what someone may need at the moment. It can simply be a smile, a hug, a compliment, or even an encouraging word. But, sometimes we get so caught up in our own worlds that we forget our natural duty to help our brothers and sisters. We think that we don’t have enough money to help someone, or we’re going through so much ourselves that we can’t possibly be of any assistance to someone else. But, what we fail to realize at times is that we don’t necessarily need money or food to truly help someone, we can really just lend an ear and listen to them. We can even take a stroll with them. Try shooting a…

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A New Day A New Attitude

Life has dealt  us all some hard blows if we are honest with ourselves.  We may not be where we thought we should be.  At different times life has been overwhelming.  For some they may have considered ending their life because it has been unbearable.  No matter what  or when it happened we have the opportunity to have a Second Chance.  Maybe it’s a third , fourth or fifth chance.  We get to make corrections, adjustments whatever may be necessary.  In order to do so we first have to understand who we are.

I read this the other day and wanted to share because I believe it is so important that each person really know  and believe this about themselves.  I want to thank Shanel Cooper-Sykes for these amazing words.

Take a moment and read this let is sink in and read this again.  Put it on a sticky better yet put it on more than one and place them all over your house, car, job, anywhere you might look so that when you have one of those days you can be reminded that  YOU are IMPORTANT.

Your life is NOT an accident.  Your story is NOT an accident.  You are here for a divine reason.  You are someone’s miracle.  YOU are someone’s blessing.  YOU are someone’s breakthrough.  YOU are someone’s second chance.  You are someone’s example.  That’s why YOU are next in line for a miracle.  YOU are not an accident.

Blessings,

Terry

 

Perfection

Are you a perfectionist?

Before you start a project does everything have to be in order?  Do you have to have all the answers before you begin a project?

Is there a desire to relocate, change jobs, get married?  What are you waiting for?

There is nothing wrong with being detail oriented and wanting to have information.  There is nothing wrong with planning, getting all of your ducks in a row so to speak.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to do an excellent job.  It’s ok if I make a mistake.

The other day I was asked what was challenging me.  As I began to talk about my situation, the things that were challenging me  I realized that I was looking for that perfect situation, everything in order before I made a move.  I was being critical of myself.  As we continued our conversation I heard this voice inside that said that I really don’t have to be perfect.  God doesn’t require me/us to be perfect.  He will accept us with all of our imperfections.  I can move forward, take chances without having all my ducks in a row.

Why do we put such pressure on ourselves?  God expects us to do our very best.  So where did this idea of perfection come from?  Then I realized that it seemed generational.  As a person of color many of us were taught you have to be better, work harder just to be accepted.  Doing our best wasn’t good enough.  We were expected to go above and beyond.  Our grandparents and great grandparents had this mentality as slaves.  It was in many cases a matter of survival and trying to move ahead.

So I made a decision.  I may not have everything in order, where I am and who I am is enough and just fine..  After all God created me.  I’ll continue to do my very best, put my trust in God and go along this journey called “life” with God close by.

So what will you do?

A Devotional

Remember that you live in a fallen world: an abnormal world tainted by sin.  Much frustration and failure result from your seeking perfection in this life.  There is nothing perfect in this world except Me.  That is why closeness to Me satisfies deep yearnings and fills you with Joy.  I have planted longing for perfection in every human heart.  This is a good desire, which I alone can fulfill.  But most people seek this fulfillment in other people and earthly pleasures or achievements.  Thus they create idols, before which they bow down.  I will have no other gods before Me!  Make Me the deepest desire of your heart.  Let Me fulfill your yearning for perfection.

“You shall have no other gods before me.” – Exodus 20:3

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4

 

Blessings,

 

Terry

 

Chance Encounter

Today I was at work on my second job.  I normally work in a particular department.  My manager came to me and said that after I returned from by break he wanted me to switch and cover another department.  It was not an area that I was familiar with.  I really didn’t want to make the switch but I did.

It was slow but more than enough to do.  My feet were tired and I was ready to go home.  A lady about my age came into my area.  She was looking for something in particular.  I was able to point her in the right direction and we uncovered a few possible options.  As she looked around I assisted several other persons.  She asked if I were going to be there when she returned.

As we were making selections she said that she had a story to share.  She explained that her daughter was graduating from college next week and she was looking for something for her trip.  Earlier this year she had some health challenges that left her tired a great deal of the time.  Prior to that she  lost a considerable amount of weight but gained it back as a result of her medication.  She was buying new clothes to address this added weight.  But that was not the only reason for the purchase.  About 12 years before her husband left her with 2 children for another woman.  Her ex-husband and this woman would be attending the graduation, so she wanted to be sure she looked good.

After she told me her story I explained that I had experienced something similar.  I too had been divorced about the same number of years.  My daughter was graduating from high school.  My ex-husband was dating a woman for sometime and she attended the graduation.  We had been at several events together and she seemed nice enough.  Several months later we took my daughter to school and were moving her into her dorm.  This time there was a different woman than the one that had attended graduation just a few months before.

I was angry that he brought someone that was not a part of our family to something that was all about “family”.  I thought he was really inconsiderate.  I got over the anger and focused my attention on my daughter and this new phase of her life.  I was able to enjoy the time with my daughter, son,brother and his family.

I refused to allow another person rob me from my joy.

As I shared my story tears began to swell in my customers eyes.  She was still struggling with the events that laid ahead, joy and pain at the same time.  I gave her a hug and let her know that she would not only look beautiful  but she would have an amazing time celebrating with her daughter and son.  I told her she could do this and go on.

Her reply ” we single woman have to stick together”.

This was my divine appointment for today.  God new she would be there and I needed to be moved in order to meet her.  I may never see her again.  But this day God planted me where he needed me.

After all it wasn’t about me.

I’m learning that many times it’s not about me.  It’s about God using me to do his work.

I thank God for selecting me for this “Chance Encounter”.

Where has God placed you?  What was your assignment?

Blessings,

Terry

Resurrection

Depending on your belief it’s the day after Easter or some call it Resurrection Day.

People have gone to church, they purchased a new outfit, dyed eggs, bought candy and more candy, spent time with family and or friends, cooked and just relaxed.  No matter how you chose to spend the day everyone knows it was Easter Sunday.

It means so many different things to each person.  After all we are each unique.

As I was taught from Sunday School Class that  Jesus was Crucified, he Died and was Buried.   3 days later He arose, the resurrection.

I would suggest to you that we all have been and can be resurrected.  We get knocked down, beat up., stirred up, and even crucified.  The good news is that we can get back up, we have a second chance at …………….  You fill in the blank.

No matter what you may have been going through you can emerge into a new you.  We don’t have to stay stuck,we don’t have to allow the situation to take us down.

My challenge to you:

What has consumed you, your time, energy, mind and body in a negative way?

Do you want something different?

If you really want something different, not someone else’s idea.  It has to be your own.

Believe that your life can be changed but  it won’t happen overnight.  There will be things you will have to do.  The first BIG Step is making the decision that you want your life to be different.  You have to believe it’s possible  with all of your being.

What needs to be changed in your life?  What needs to be buried so that YOU can be  resurrected?

You can have The Second Chance of Your Life.

 

Blessings,

Terry

 

 

Re Molding

It’s a new year, new opportunities, a new phase of your life.   Do you continue on the same path or do you do something different?  Last year may not have been what you expected, bumps and bruises, heart ache and pain.

Remember there is a Potter that is molding us into a wonderful image.  It may have not felt good but rest assured that the end result will be more marvelous than you could ever imagine.

Trust in the Potter, relax knowing he doesn’t make any mistakes.

 

Be Blessed.

 

Terry