“Jar of Hearts” by Lisa Richelle

“If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.” ~ Nora Roberts

What possibilities in your life have you closed the door on out of fear? What opportunities have you missed out on? Rejection and failure hurt, but the pain does eventually go away. The real tragedy comes when we paralyze our lives with the  ”What If” that we never get to experience the “Could have been”.

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.”  ~ Mary Engelbreit

Not long after starting a new job, I was called into the office of my manager and asked to work 3^rd shift. (5p-2a). It was presented to me as a choice but during the conversation it began to feel more like an ultimatum.  An ultimatum I couldn’t understand because other employees had volunteered. Needless to say it upset me. This would not fit into my lifestyle.  I remember walking home that day just fuming. In my head I was going off on everyone and everything.  I started to take tally of all the things I would miss out on. I know it sounds a little dramatic but I saw the possibilities of my life being stolen right from under me. I hated that feeling and the more I thought about it, the angrier I got. The angrier I got, the more I contemplated quitting. My thoughts were full of complaints and gripes. Then suddenly (and I do mean suddenly), I felt a wave of realization hit me. I found myself pondering a new perspective and my thoughts began to change.

“Maybe it won’t be so bad”,
“It’s not like It will be forever”
“Things happen for a reason, right? It’s possible something good can come out of this.

I felt my heart starting to lighten up as I begin to see the possibilities. I took my focus off of what I could loose and starting thinking about what could be gained.

I don’t have to get up so early
I can run errands and enjoy things without the busyness of crowds.
I’ll be in the office when it is calm and quiet. I won’t have to deal with the drama of the day
Less Stress!

While working the overnight shift, I learned and developed a new skillset that moved me into an area of I.T. that I absolutely love and brought forth opportunities that I never really knew existed.  That shift not only turned out to be a blessing but with my new attitude, I was able to enjoy the change.

God has a plan for us and He promises that those plans are to help and not harm us. To give us a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11). Complaining, grumbling and having a bad attitude about our situations make us a slave to our circumstances. It robs us of our peace and blocks the blessings that God wants to do in us and through us. Because of this, it not only becomes a hindrance to ourselves but can be a stumbling block for those around us.  God has a plan for us. Learn to trust His divine wisdom. Maintain a good attitude and you will find peace in every circumstance.

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”  ~ Philippians 2:14-15 

“Planted” by Lisa Richelle

“Is there any real purpose in being alive if all we are going to do is get up every day and live only for ourselves? Live your life to help others. Give & live selflessly.” ~ Joyce Meyer

I remember a time, not too long ago, at feeling like my life had no real purpose. I had been praying for years for God to reveal to me my calling and becoming increasingly frustrated at what seemed like endless silence. One day, I had expressed this frustration to a friend and her response to me was “you should start serving”. I remember being unclear as to why she would say that. I mean, what did that have to do with anything? Then it hit me. It had EVERYTHING to do with it. The very essence of any ministry is in serving others. I had been searching endlessly for what I believed I was called to do and all this time, missing the very point that I had been called to serve.  I did things here and there but my lifestyle was clearly centered around me first and, I must admit that for the most part it still is. I am only now starting to grasp the true need to develop not just the heart of a servant, but the lifestyle as well. Getting outside my own world and making myself available to meeting the needs of others.  Then and only then will I be able to fully embrace the full and beautiful potential of why I am here.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” ~ Mark 10:45