Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts

Be Kind

Posted: Tuesday, December 9, 2014 by Unknown in Labels: , , , , , , ,
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Last night I was talking with my daughters about the poor behaviors of others while at work. My girls love working with people and at 18 – 23, one is a waitress, one is a salesperson for a cell phone company, and one works at a local grocery store. As such, all three get to see the good as well as the bad behaviors of the people in our community… Which is certainly magnified this time of year.

After listening to their horror stories and sharing a few of my own from my early days selling Christmas trees, I was reminded of the quote; "A person who is nice to you but rude to the waiter, or to others, is not a nice person."
My favorites were the people who would say: "I could buy this place and fire you," or "I know the owner and I could have you fired." Those who say such things have revealed more about their character & integrity than about their influence or power.

To live life to the fullest, at some point in our life we need to let go of the idea that some people are below us. The Bible is very clear in stating that this isn't the case. Even if you've worked hard to get to where you are in life, there’s no such thing as a self-made person. Someone believed, encouraged, and invested in you. Be grateful and be that someone for others as well. What goes around eventually comes around. No one has ever made themselves strong in the long run by showing how small someone else is.

Personally, some of the best lessons I have learned in my life have come from people who (my arrogant, younger self) thought that there was nothing that person could teach me. Don't be lazy and make assumptions about people. Ask about their story. Then listen. Be humble. Be teachable. Be human. Next time you want to scold a waitress or argue with a salesperson… realize that was once each of us, and it could be my daughter… or it could be yours.
Remember, The only time you should look down on someone is when you are reaching down to lift them up!
You've got this!
LWS

We all get down... you just don't want to stay there!

Posted: Saturday, September 13, 2014 by Unknown in Labels: , , , , ,
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Last week I put up a post on Facebook about bitterness and received a private message from a friend who asked a powerful question. She asked; “I liked your post today regarding you and Tracey... But what if it's underlying sadness that often comes out as bitterness. If we let go of the front that holds strong people stronger then we are often left with a crumbling wall of tears. Finding strength to pull past that, has proven difficult for me. Even trusting and relying on God makes me feel weak.”
(While this is a little long, I would like to share my reply here in hopes that it may add value to others going through the same struggles)



Let me start by saying that most people deal with negative emotions by putting up walls. We are all really two people. Who we really are and who we want the world to think we are. The closer the two people are, the greater the happiness and joy in your life. I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers for this one, but I would like to share a couple of thoughts that have been a benefit in my life as well as others.

1. List everything in your life you are grateful for.
No matter the cards you've been dealt, or whether this year has felt tougher than most, there's always something in life to be thankful for. There's also a good reason to find that something: Practicing gratitude and writing down your blessings takes your mind away from what’s wrong with your life and brings you back to what’s right in it. Then begin and end each day reading your list.

2. Make a mental decision that your best days are ahead of you.
Personally, sadness has always seeped into my life when I look at past failures, broken relationships, and regrets. It’s like at times I can get stuck re-reading the same chapter of my life over and over. At some point, I (you) must make a conscious decision to turn the page and move forward with your life. Life is always best when it’s spent looking through the windshield rather than the rear view mirror.

3. Be careful who you confide in.
Working through depression or sadness is an internal battle. While you may have a parent or spouse that can help you through it, more often than not, you create a bigger issue when you get others involved. Unfortunately, there are also people around you that will use it against you and are glad that you have them. When I have spoken with a friend about a problem that they really can’t “fix,” suddenly I have two problems… The original problem, and the reaction from my friend about my problem.

4. Replace your negative thoughts with positive ones.
While it is a difficult skill to master, one of the greatest powers that we have is the ability to choose one thought over another. A trained mind has the ability to decipher what thoughts serve them well and those that don't. While telling someone to “stop thinking about what makes them sad” may sound too simple, training yourself to choose which thoughts to dwell on is one of the best ways to find peace and happiness in your life. Like growing a garden, the only way to have a successful harvest is by regular weeding.

5. Trust in God.
As a Christian, the knowledge that I am not alone is what gives me strength. I admit that I don’t know all of Gods plans in my life… But I know that He has them and I am grateful to be part of them.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

May God Bless you!
You've got this!

It's Your Life... Don't Miss It!

Posted: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 by Unknown in Labels: , , , , , , , ,
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From time to time, someone will private message me criticizing me for posting a lifestyle picture or they will accuse me of bragging about my family, a recent purchase, trips, or something like that. It never really bothers me, but today I would like to explain why I post certain things.

Several years ago I went to a wedding for a close friend’s daughter. At the reception, in the middle of the first dance between his daughter and the groom, I noticed my friend starting to tear up. When I asked him if he was ok his reply was “I missed it.” “Missed what?” I asked. “Her whole life” he said. While this friend was financially successful, I wondered at that moment; “How much of his money would he be willing to give back in return for a few more years with his only daughter?” The experience reminded me of the John Lennon quote; "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.”

From that day on I stopped counting my life in just months, years and decades and decided to focus on having a good day… because, as my friend Kevin Knebl says; “Good days make up a good life.” The first thing I say every morning when I awake is; "Thank you God for another day.” The last thing I do each day is thank Him for my blessings and ask for one more. If the answer is no, I would like to believe that I am ready. That doesn't mean I'm looking to go right away, but if it's my time, I believe I am ready because I have thoroughly enjoyed my life.

Personally, I meet a lot of people that are “preparing” to get ready to live. They delay all the things they want to do on the hopes that one day they can. I used to be like that. I would say things like; “I will be happy once I am married”, or “once I buy a home.” I will be a success once I accomplish “this” or once I am able to do “that.”


So my thought for today is this… Yes, prepare for the future and be responsible but don't forget to live today! Take your kids golfing and enjoy a sunset. Plan a trip, buy a pet, sing out loud to a to a great song, laugh more. Tell more people that you love them and ask for forgiveness from someone you’ve wronged. Don't wait. Do it now, because that is all you are guaranteed.

This is your life… Don’t “Miss It!”

Carry on… ツ

Little eyes are watching

Posted: Monday, April 5, 2010 by Unknown in Labels: ,
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A few Sundays ago, I went through my normal morning routine. Wake up the kids, fix breakfast, take a shower, then round up the family and head to church. With four women in my house, I was running late as usual. (It’s not considered disparagement against women if I am stating “facts”…. is it? Hmmm? ) Anyway, not to place the blame on my spouse or any particular child, we were about 15 minutes behind schedule.

Once we got everyone in the car, I tried to make up a little time on the road. I am normally a good driver and try to obey the laws, but this particular morning I was in a rush.

When I got close to my exit, I passed a car on my right, signaled, then crossed into their lane. I paused for a second, signaled again, and then continued down the ramp. I felt like I had enough space for the lane change, but the female driver of the car behind me thought differently. I received an immediate honk, then a single finger out the window at the stop light. (and no, it was not "you're #1 ) Thankfully, my kids were oblivious to the gesture.
My wife on the other hand, witnessed the entire thing. She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Don’t people know there are little eyes watching?” she asked.

The car sped around me when the light turned green then took off down the road. I gave her a little space to avoid a repeat, then continued to church.

I knew that there would only be a few parking spots left, so I went to the back lot and parked my car. As I stepped out, another car drove in from the opposite direction and parked next to me. Immediately, I recognized the driver as the girl who “saluted” me five minutes earlier. She got out of her car, said good morning to me and my family, and then headed towards the chapel.

“Didn’t have a clue did she?” asked my wife. “Nope, no idea,” I replied.

My pastor’s message that day was about “living a Christ like life.” My first response was a quick chuckle since my “new” friend was a few rows away. Suddenly I was reminded of all the things I had done the previous weeks and months.
I thought of the time I had lost my temper and said things Ishouldn't’ have. I was reminded of a comment that I had made that hurt a friends’ feelings. I remembered losing my patience that very morning and barking at my kids for being late. I thought of the time I asked my daughter to lie for me when the phone rang and I told her to tell them I was not home. Yes, it was a virtual movie for the next 20-30 minutes.

I was reminded of Matthew 7:3 "Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother's eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye?"


After church I apologized to my children, then called a few friends to do the same. We must never forget, there are always little (and big) eyes watching.

( Archived from a previous blog of mine )