Turning Difficulty into Opportunity

When I’m out and about, I can always count on lots of content for my daily blogs. I’ll admit that when we were placed into this season of “stay at home”, I wondered if I would get enough subject matter, but, oh not so! It seems every day brings a fresh word and fresh inspiration. I’m so thankful.

But, on this day, I hang out with my furry bestie, 80-pound Australian Shepherd, Buddy. My kids live in a trendy area of town called Frisco Square. Right now, other than the occasional dog-walker, it’s very quiet there. The theater and library and other historical places are closed. Restaurants are open – but only drive-thru or drive-up for your order. Apparently, Fruitealicious, where my granddaughter works (basically specialty teas, fruit and frozen drinks), remains open as an “essential”. My favorite is the fresh peach and strawberry frozen drink. Yum (and she adds extra peach chunks to mine – she knows my loves)!

Buddy and I take a nice stroll through the historical district. Everything is closed but we enjoy the “history” we find there. Buddy falls in love with the bronzed statute of John Milton Turner’s seeing-eye dog. Mr. Turner was born in Frisco. He lost his sight as a teenager yet became very successful in business and was appointed by six Governors to serve more than three decades on the Texas Commission for the Blind. This photo is of John with one of his eight seeing-eye dogs. He outlived them all. I love this quote on the memorial: “Blindness is an inconvenience, not a handicap.”

Wonder if we’re “blind” in this inconvenient time we’re experiencing right now. I learned something from this excursion around Frisco. No matter our situation-in-life (i.e., isolated to our homes, without work, having to be home-schooled, detachment from our friends and family, unable to go to church, etc.), we can turn difficulties into opportunities. That’s the quote of Albert Einstein “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”

We can find the good in every circumstance, AND, like John Turner we can make something out of our inconveniences. This time is not forever but what we make of this time can possibly be a miracle break-through with the idea we received. It can be a closer connection to our family than ever before. It can be a first-time EVER of connecting – REALLY CONNECTING – with God.

Yes, I know it is challenging in so many ways to be cooped up. But, taking a walk to get closer to God in creation can sure be an eye-opener. When we spend time with God, everybody else knows it. We become calmer, we're easier to get along with, and we don't lose control of our emotions as quickly. Our patience increases, and our heart soon understands what God likes, and the more time we spend with God, the more like Him we become. He’s the ULTIMATE Creator – being like Him means we have creative abilities inside us. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons He has allowed this crisis – for us to tap into His genius.

I'm on my way to spend that time with Him, right now. God knows....that's the secret to my inward peace and comfort, and I sure do want everybody to know by what they see in me, that I've been hanging out with Him AND my pal, Buddy -- regularly.

An Opportunity to Choose Great Joy!

Choose joy? When challenges and disappointments come? How can we count all this stuff as joy? You young’uns may not remember the old Hee Haw Show where the cast members sang this “miserable” song that went like this: "Gloom, despair, and agony on me; Deep, dark depression, excessive misery; If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all; Gloom, despair, and agony on me." Those poor old guys lived way below these words from the Apostle James: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2

I'm writing this blog from my precious grandson's experience last weekend. He had reasons to sing that Hee Haw song. I'm sure considering his troubles as “an opportunity for great joy.” was a stretch. You see, on Sunday, all dressed and ready to head to church, he went to his car….and his sweet-ride wasn’t there. My daughter gives these details: “Our son, Payton, had his car stolen this morning but I am so proud of his response to what could have been a very difficult morning. His response was: "Mom, I could be all upset and angry, but I choose JOY. I refuse to let this bring me down." His trunk was full of some VERY special possessions and our family fishing equipment, which...if you know my family, is PRECIOUS cargo. But instead of being "normal"...our boy chose JOY.

She goes on to share: “I don't know what you are going through, but today's brief, but powerful sermon comes to you from my son's own life experience today: "CHOOSE JOY!" "All things work together for good to them that LOVE GOD and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. And God, we pray for the people who stole his car and we ask you to forgive them and draw them into repentance. May they come to know you and the power of your resurrection!” Staci Wallace

So, there you go, Satan. Body-slam to you and all your little imps. Instead of Payton losing his joy, he sensed God speaking to him to take a deep breath and receive the encouragement of joy when he needed it the most. If we read this verse “Count it all joy” (James 1:2) as a stand-alone suggestion, it seems impossible to put it into practice. Yet, if we read the context behind it in Scripture, it takes on an entirely new perspective and begins to seem — with God’s help — doable.

James wrote that verse during a time when the Christians were facing insurmountable problems that had stolen their joy. But in their defense, these believers had justifiable reasons to have a bad attitude. They faced great persecution, unrelenting trials and sufferings — from murder to imprisonment — at the hands of Saul, who was zealous to destroy the church and anyone associated with Jesus. As a result, these Christians were in fear, mourning, confusion, and hopelessness.

Some fled their homes in fear for their lives. They lived in poverty, forced to scrounge for food to survive. Some were sick, and everyone was exhausted. They had every right to be negative and pessimistic. James acknowledged their suffering but also wanted to give them hope and encouragement. He told them inner joy could still be theirs, if they deliberately chose to take control of their thinking and change their attitude. He encouraged them to pause and refocus on their faith.

When life gets hard, it’s difficult to avoid letting a bad attitude take over our minds and rule our lives. We might not experience religious persecution as those first believers did, but let’s face it: people hurt us, the past haunts us, coworkers mistreat us, friends forsake us, spouses dishonor us, children don’t appreciate us, finances don’t support us, and our health doesn’t sustain us. James’ words can help us, too.

Our attitude is our choice and knowing whatever circumstances we face don’t have the power to dictate that “loser” attitude unless we let them. Although enduring problems with a smile and pure joy in our hearts can be difficult, doing so not only helps us become stronger believers, it opens the door for an attitude transformation. Our attitudes are an outward display of what’s taking place in our hearts. When our hearts focus in the right place, our attitudes will, too. The only thing we have to lose by choosing a positive attitude is a negative one.

Lord, fill us with a joy that can only come from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Thing Is NOT The Thing

Day 35 of Photo Inspirations -- The Thing is NOT The Thing!
I saw this photo of an iceberg and it reminded me of the Alaskan Cruise we took several years ago when our ship docked in Juneau and we took the tour to the Mendenhall Glacier.  This amazing glacier is 12 miles long, a half-mile wide and from 300 to 1,800 feet deep. And an iceberg is what breaks off from a glacier and can be hundreds of feet in depth.  From the Titanic catastrophe, we know what an iceberg can cause.

So, "The Thing is NOT The Thing"!  Hidden below the surface it is far deeper than it is high.  In fact, what is on top is just "the tip of the iceberg".  And to relate that to our lives -- we may be going through a major circumstance or challenge that seems to be THE THING.  But when we look at it from another perspective, it's not THE THING at all.  There is a Master-minded plan that is far greater than what it looks like on the surface.  Could it be that the financial upheaval, is really the opportunity to turn our life around and into THE THING that takes us to ultimate success?    The THING is NOT the THING.

Remember the 9/11 stories that THINGS kept them from getting to work on time and thereby saved their lives?  One fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.  One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.   One of them missed his bus.  One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change. One's car wouldn't start.  One went back to answer the telephone. One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.  Then there was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, but before he got to work, developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

The point I'm making is for us to realize stuff happens in our day -- but that stuff (THE THING) may not be THE THING.  It just may be God's way of sparing us from certain harm or accident.  It may be that THOSE THINGS are THE THINGS God is using to effect His perfect plan for our lives.

The next time we're stuck in traffic, break a glass and it goes everywhere, get a flat tire, receive a call from yet another telemarketer, or we are on hold in a telephone queue, or wait in a long check-out line -- all the little things that annoy or perplex us, let's think that this is exactly where God wants us to be at this very moment.   Let's credit it to our all-knowing, all--seeing God Who is at work in our lives. His THING is THE very best THING for our lives!

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."  Proverbs 3:5
#PerfectTiming #Trust #TheThingIsNotTheThing

Be That Water Bottle -- Gaining Momentum

Two years ago this month, I joined Solavei -- (this photo is from the June, 2012 pre-launch event -- about 156 of us were there -- now there are over 400,000 of us). Like thousands of other Solavei members, I am a hard-working, fully-branded and ALL-IN Solavei member -- not because of my kids, but because of what we started out to do -- making a difference in millions of people's lives -- and that's what we're doing. My network of thousands is by the process of just sharing this great opportunity with others, because I care! There have been no special favors (well, I do get to hang a little more than some with Ryan and Staci and families -- not because of Solavei, but after all, I am their Mama -- LOL) and no handouts to me. I have simply followed the easy process of sharing like a great movie or restaurant, and replicated what other leaders were doing. I am beyond thrilled for those who enjoy a lower phone bill, and some even FREE mobile service because they shared Solavei with one, two or just a few people. That, of itself is HUGE!

But most importantly, I want to share with you WHO I am and WHY I am proud to represent this company and all it stands for. I have to add here that I've had a lot of major crises in my life -- none greater than when my sweetheart graduated to heaven. But, that early passing created a determination and quest for taking that major blow and optimize my assignment on this earth. No matter what has come our way, the last thing our family is prone to do is gnash our teeth and wail about the unfairness of life. On the contrary, we determine to not only approach any conundrum that may come our way with a can-do attitude, but we look at the problem as a chance to gain new experiences and opportunities. We may be momentarily daunted by challenges that come our way, but we typically take it all in and realize -- it may look like a setback, but we are quick to realize "we're getting prepared for a MAJOR comeback!"

Ryan has always shared about how Solavei is like an empty plastic bottle and if you throw it into a stream of white water rapids, it naturally flows down the river with great momentum! That's enough for me to continue blazing the trail, touching more people's lives, and thanking God everyday -- that I have more today in my budget than before Solavei.

And, I'm still on a roll. I have no reason to stop what I have been doing for over two years now. I have been sharing this dream, this vision and this opportunity from the beginning. And, believe me, the systems in place, the resources, the offering, the experience, the determination and the support have never been better than today. What if this is that -- that could radically change millions of people's lives? Why would I stop now? I'm just saying.... "Let's continue to be that water bottle, gaining momentum in our lives -- no stopping now! Let's go stronger than ever before. I promise you....we'll look back on these days and be so glad we did.......and not wish we had!"
#WinningBigWithSolavei

Is Your Home Built on Solid Rock or Sinking Sand?

We were just kids when we married (I was 17; he was 18). Funny the dreams we had back then. Often, we'd go “looking” for our dream home…. the newest mobile home models, in hopes of owning one someday. That was pie-in-the-sky dreaming back then, because my husband was a college student, and I was working my first $1.25/hr clerical job. Our “dream” changed when his uncles, who were in construction, took in a home on trade, and sold it to us. We purchased that cute little home in 1967 for $7,000. Our house payment was $67 a month which seemed astronomical at the time. A couple of years later, we sold it for $14,000 – we thought we had struck it rich! How far we came over the years of maturing, growing our family and depending on God more, as we took many more steps of faith”. And, each step continued to solidify our foundation.

In the 70s, we moved to Oklahoma, and, before we knew it, our young dreams came true. We purchased a mobile home that backed up to Lake Keystone. And, you’re probably thinking, “Are you kidding me? You bought a mobile home that backed up to the water in "Tornado Alley"?” Indeed we did. And we encountered many opportunities to stretch our faith, especially during every one of those tornados that came barreling down the lake. Thanks be to God -- we weathered them all. And with each one, whether it was a literal storm (tornado) or financial storm, or illness storm, or relationship storm, our HOME's foundation grew more solid. It was with each storm, that our HOME and our lives, became more secure and blessed.

Jesus likened the person who hears and keeps His teachings to a wise man who builds his house on the ROCK (Matthew 7:24). Not even the fiercest storm can bring it down. So I ask you today....solid rock or sinking sand? On what foundation are you choosing to build your life, and the lives of your family, today? If we want life’s truest treasures -- say "NO" to sinking sand, and say "YES" to building upon the Rock of Ages. It sure does make for a blessed, secure and comfortable home AND life!

Seize the Moments

I'm loving this season of my life, and I’m doing my best to seize the moments, and most of all, to live with no regrets. You'll see me with my phone in hand -- not so much to answer a call, but to be ready to "capture that moment" so that I "have no regrets" about that once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. That's why you'll see photos of trees or sunsets or my grandkids or my friends or the kids' choir at church, or someone being baptized, that I'ved captured on camera. And, I love surprising my friends with photos that I've taken -- especially when they had no idea I captured the moment for them.

And, rarely do I miss the opportunity to take up a friend's invitation to go somewhere or do something with them. I do my best to listen for God's voice telling me to call or email or text someone, or even go see someone to give a word of good news and cheer. Seizing the moments. Life is just too short not to be that breath of fresh air that someone needs so much.

Oftentimes, it’s quite easy to say “I’m too tired or too busy to go there or to do that.” But, then we realize the fun we missed, or the opportunity we missed to make a difference in our life and someone else's life.

Are you seizing those moments, minutes, days of YOUR life? We are here at this place, and this moment of time, for a specific purpose that God gave for only us to fulfill. Let's be done with just going with the flow.....and let's live ALL IN! Let's look for those moments in this day.....that are over-the-top outrageous, once-in-a-lifetime moments, so that tomorrow, we'll look back and say, "I lived with NO REGRETS!"