Focus up

I'm not really that funny. I'm not really that brilliant. I can do a few things really well, and I'm proud of that, but for the most part, I'm just normal. What is normal anyway? Who would want to be more than normal? Well...me. I want to stand out. Me...over here. Me.

I love my life. I love my job. I love my husband. I love my dogs. I love my side projects and all of my fun hobbies. I love my family. I love my favorite coffee mug. I love my stories. I love love love.....you get the point. I'm so lucky. Did anyone out there just get jealous of my life? I hope not---that's the last thing I would ever wish...because I hope that you love YOUR life, but if you thought it for a split second...keep listening.

Do you love your life?

Today I was inspired at work by a really great speaker that came and spoke a message for an upcoming series. I'm not going to repeat everything that he said, because he is gifted with speech and I don't need to try to reproduce everything he said. However, I will tell you a couple of life-changing things that made me nod and say, "Yes, in fact sir, you are EXACTLY right."

So, like I said, are you tired? Of your life? Yes, you. Or are you just tired in general? Same thing, isn't it? Well if you're unfulfilled, tired, or frustrated, take a moment to hear some wonderful words...

Focus on the Eternal. "You won't fix your problems by focusing on them. You'll fix your problems when you stop focusing on them and start focusing on the one who is bigger than your problems." (Thank you Chris Hodges) He said it perfectly! I want to freakin frame this quote and hang in my house!! How many times a day do I get caught up in my own problems? When they do come, it's easy to become so distracted by them that I forget the one who is so much bigger than anything I ever deal with in my life.

Didn't he prove that to me this last year and not only bring me a job that I love, but one that was better than I ever could have imagined for myself in a million years? And didn't he provide just enough hope the entire year I was unemployed? And wasn't it him who sent me promise after promise just when he knew I needed encouragement? Didn't he prove that to me last year when we couldn't pay some unexpected bills and someone deposited the exact amount that we needed into our checking account? Didn't he prove that to me yesterday when Jonathan and I shared the perfect day together after 2 years of an up and down relationship? Didn't he heal my marriage? Didn't he send the exact people that were on my mind into the store I was shopping in so that I could talk to them? Wasn't he the one that healed the sick and brought them back to church another Sunday? Isn't he the great physician? Isn't he the almighty creator of the Universe? Isn't he the beginning of life and the end of it? Doesn't he care about your every small problem? Yes, he does! God rocks my world.

There was a time in my life, about a year ago, when I can't say that I trusted God to fix my problems, but my how he has proved me wrong and how dare I stand here and not tell everyone how amazing he is! He IS my life. Today was such an awesome reminder and an "uh huh" moment for me. God is bigger than any problem you face. Leave it there...let him worry about it, won't you? Quit holding on already. He's not going to take it from you. God has manners--he'll wait for you to give it to him, so give it up already.

Life is too short, and far too wonderful, to hate another day.

"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Focus up.

If you have a problem, and don't have anyone to talk to, call me. I can't guarantee I have the answers, but I'll help you find the one who does...