Keeping My Eyes Wide Open

That’s a new resolution – to keep my eyes wide open, and for that matter, to keep my ears and my heart wide open, too. Since my granddaughter’s parents were out of town on her birthday, I wanted to be sure she was celebrated at the get-go of the day. I asked for her order for Chick-Fil-A. I was in line early and placed the order. I paid, took the bag, and was on my way. Alexia was bubbling with giddiness as I played Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” and as I set out her meal. But, oh me! They gave us a BAGEL chicken, egg and cheese sandwich instead of the BISCUIT, chicken, egg and cheese sandwich. And, I wanted her day to start so on-point. But she didn’t mind. She said it was her second favorite sandwich. But, I minded – I should have checked the bag to be sure of its contents. I should have kept my eyes wide-open.

Same day. Went to Walmart for a few groceries. Checked out and was on my way. Got home and unloaded the groceries, THEN checked the receipt and saw that the cashier charged me for 22 avocados – not the two I purchased. Oh me, again! I should have kept my eyes wide-open.

I play on a Bocce ball league in my community. Good news is we won our first two games. Since I’m the captain of our team, I’m especially proud of us. Bad news is I got a call the next day from the director of the league who had been advised that some of us didn’t have our face masks on. We were well social distanced, but that’s not what our HOA designated. “Face masks are required.” I received my correction well. But, I knew better and as the captain, I should have been a better leader. I should have kept my eyes wide-open.

The point of this blog today – “keeping our eyes wide open” aka being more intentional – more in the moment – more consciously aware of the enemy’s ploys to steal from us. It might sound a little over-the-top to say the enemy wants to steal from us when I speak about a chicken biscuit or too many avocados or carelessly not doing what’s right – but, oh, I know him well by now. The least little time stealer or joy stealer or doing what’s right stealer – is the subtle way he comes to “steal, kill and destroy” our peace and joy AND our credibility. 1 Peter 5:8 says "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion (and for this post – a biscuit, avocados and a face mask), walks about, seeking whom he may devour". It's just who our enemy is -- he wants to slip us up and create loss of time, confusion in our minds, chaos in our family, deception in relationships, and it's up to us to be "on guard, vigilant, and aware of him sneaking into our lives." EYES WIDE OPEN to the enemy's tactics and EYES WIDE OPEN to God's love, protection, tender mercies, and promises. Yes, my eyes are wide open. How about yours?

My 2018......and Beyond -- Resolutions

My Word of the Day is Resolution: a firm determination to do something, and not change it. Doesn’t that make sense? Maybe that’s why so many fail at "resolutions". We want a short term fix. A goal has an end date. A resolution is unending.

One of my "goals" with an end date of on or before December 31, 2018, was inspired by a book given to me by my grandson and his wife, “My Grandma: In Her Own Words”. It is a “fill-in-the-blanks" book that asks questions like “What was your home like growing up?” “What was it like to become a mother?” That book inspired me to write my autobiography this year – not for publishing, but to pass on to my family as legacy.

Typical new year's resolutions are actually goals. “Lose 20 pounds”. We get there and we check it off the list – “I made it!” We run that marathon. Check. We get our real estate license. Check. We attend that 6-week Bible Study. Check.

Resolutions are supposed to be a FIRM determination to do something – not with a set end-date, but a lifetime in mind. I've made resolutions that I expect will take me the distance beyond 2018 and for the rest of my life. Here’s a list I’ve started, but I expect to add to it as I press daily to be my best for God.

#1. I RESOLVE to worry less and pray more. I will give my concerns to God. I will pray I become so infused with God's Word that I have the fuel to be a woman of “true grit” – rather, true faith in God’s “keeping power” and trust in His timing, His love for me and His desire for my success.

#2. I RESOLVE to disconnect my mind from my mouth. At this mature age, I’ve amassed a great deal of wisdom. My brain is packed full of firsthand experience of doing the wrong thing at the wrong time and I want to save my children, grandchildren and others -- time and energy. But, I RESOLVE to hold my mouth from unsolicited advice, opinions and/or judgments.

#3. I RESOLVE to give 100% focus and attention to my family and friends when I’m in their presence. That means putting away my phone and computer and look in their eyes and listen, full on, like they are the single most valuable and treasured, important persons in my world….because THEY ARE!

#4. I RESOLVE to introduce others to my best friend. Of course my best friend is Jesus. A best friend is someone we talk about a lot. We imitate our best friend. We tell stories about our best friend. I want my best friend to be their best friend. I'll share Him with them every chance I get. I'll teach them a lot about "What would Jesus do? (WWJD).

#5. I RESOLVE to be a “HOPE” dealer by encouraging others with “Nothing is impossible with God!” I RESOLVE to spreading sunshine instead of dark clouds. Hope is great expectation that something GOOD is about to happen. “Let us hold fast to the HOPE we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

These are RESOLUTIONS that will not only set the course for my day, and year….but my entire life. What about you? Did you make New Year’s Resolutions, or LIFETIME Resolutions?

Thinking Back and Looking Forward

It's the 365th day of 2016. I made it!!! 365 days of posting a positive word for my FB friends and family. After all, there's enough negativity in social media with politics, the weat her, the economy, the disappointments many speak about or vent about in their relationships. Once upon a time, I didn't want to be on social media because of those reasons, but then I sensed that God was calling me to bring some sunshine to a world that can be quite dark, and then my special thoughts and words would, hopefully, bring inspiration to others. I can't begin to adequately explain how rewarded I feel for staying true to my commitment. Purposefully, I've had to make sure to stay "in the zone", seizing the moments, noticing little and big God-encounters, recognizing that God is always speaking. I just had to tune in to His still small voice, and, often, His big booming voice as I witnessed His illustrated messages to me through nature, His Word, His kids and His embrace. Fact is.....I showed up for my daily appointment with God.....and He was faithful and true to His promises.....He ALWAYS showed up for me.

I'm not exactly sure what this next year will look like, not only in my commitment to daily posts and blogs, but in life overall. But one thing I do know for sure......I know WHO knows and I'm excited for the journey that awaits me. There will be many opportunities for making FB posts and writing my daily blogs because I'm very aware that God has many more exciting adventures and trails for me to blaze in this new year. So, I'll continue to be on daily assignment.

These photo inspirations are from this day in 2014 and Brennan's video from 2015 with my two little men -- my annual New Year's Eve dates! Tonight, once again, these two and I will be donning our hats and making toasts with our sparkling grape juice, and blowing our horns. We'll even shoot some little fireworks, and we'll watch the giant sphere of sparkles descend in Times Square an hour behind East Coast time as 2016 makes its exit and 2017 makes its debut. We'll be silly and dance and give each other hugs and kisses. Eat your heart out, single women everywhere! LOL!

A new year -- new hope for our future. There is something inherit within us that craves a new fresh start -- a chance to make wrongs right, and good things even greater. The promise of a clean slate is thrilling. I've already begun to think about new horizons, new seasons, and new adventures. My personal motto will continue to be "I'm still here....so I'm not done." I know that God will give me courage to face each new day and the best part, His mercies will be new each morning.

The great news is that God is the author of 2017! He knows each and every twist and turn that is up ahead, both for you and for me. He has planned 2017 down to the minutest detail—all with the goal for our good. Look out, 2017 -- HERE WE COME! Let the GREAT ADVENTURES begin!!!

God FIRST

Day 12 of Photo Inspirations -- God FIRST
After 23 days of Christmas, New Year's and 2015 Unstoppable Summit celebrations, inspirations and packed-full-of-joy-and-excitement, I'm at last home-sweet-home in Tulsa. It's always great to go.....and then be back home again.

I must say that I've had the time of my life with my family -- lots of "kid" fun with ALL of my six grandchildren, and the big finale of this weekend's leadership summit has definitely kicked me in gear for, what I believe will be, one of the best, most blessed years of my life.

Why not believe that way? That's what God wants us to do. When we give Him FIRST PLACE above all and everything else, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts. That's my resolution for this year. Give Him the FIRST of my day in time with Him in quiet moments of just Him and me; give Him the FIRST of my week as I attend church with others to give Him worship and praise; give Him the FIRST of my month as I give Him my tithes and offerings, and give Him the FIRST of my year as I seek Him for His plans and purposes for my life. "But seek FIRST the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33

When we put God FIRST -- everything else will fall into its proper place.
‪#‎FirstPlace‬ ‪#‎SeekHimFirst‬