Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Last week was hectic; every day packed with things to do and places to go. I had just finished speaking at a seminar on Work/ Life Balance so I was fully aware when busyness started to set in every day thereafter. That called for a day to stop and breathe and catch up on my own life.

I had plans to write a blog but the cloudy morning that ensued settled into a “whatever comes natural” moment. I ambled toward the laundry room and opened the washer to pop in a load of clothes. I stared at the fabric softener dispenser and it occurred to me that my clothes didn’t have that Downey fresh smell anymore even though I filled the dispenser each time. Now, for those who know me, I am a “ cleanaholic” and suddenly it hit me like a ton of bricks. I slowly started turning the dispenser cup to remove it and sure enough found to my amazement that I could take it apart for cleaning. My older sisters would say at this moment “she’s so blonde”! That is when I discovered it. My twelve year old washer was harboring the most disgusting deep gray, gooey funk that had come from all those years of softener buildup. It was no wonder my sweet smelling liquid was not getting through. For the next 2 hours I cleaned with a vengeance armed with a toothbrush, four towels, and several sponges. The gook that had been clogging my machine and barring the way for any softness to find its way to our clothes started to melt away and disappear.

As I stood at my kitchen sink, donned in rubber gloves scrubbing with fierceness, a song came over me.  Out of nowhere the melody played over and over with each layer of disgust that I removed.

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow
Lord, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow..

I was reminded of my quiet time with God earlier in the morning as I asked him for new abilities to let my light shine for him.

It suddenly occurred to me that sometimes we need to clean our life up inside to let our light shine through to the outside. Thank you, Father for my lesson for the day!

Psalm 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

O come all ye Faithful…2011 has been an awesome year for me. I have been blessed to have been able to travel with my husband and family this year, enjoying each of them and thanking God for the gift of life, family and friends. While I am in awe of how happy and joyful I have been, I have wondered how my Heavenly Father could love me so much to bless me so greatly.

I have suffered poor health at times; my husband is a cancer survivor. I have lost both parents, and have known great financial loss. However, God has never left my side and we have traveled this entire journey together. I am greatly blessed to belong to Him, to have a wonderful husband, children, sisters that are my best friends and the love and support of many dear friends.

 I have spent the last few months as part of a women’s prayer group that meets to pray for those who are ill, have suffered loss of family, health, jobs, and life. We have prayed for the reuniting of families, for our nation, our world in crisis, our men and women in service to our country. We have placed each of these names upon a tablecloth and what started out as a few has grown to many and soon we will be placing another cloth upon this one.

 In all the blessings I have received this year, I think that watching God work through this small group of prayer warriors and realizing the miracle of prayer and what it can accomplish… THIS has truly been my greatest gift of 2011.

 As Christmas begins to arrive and I spend more and more time in quiet fellowship with my Father, He whispers to me that He loves me so much He sacrificed His son for me, that one day I, too, will share His kingdom.

 My prayer is that for those who do not know Jesus as their Savior, you will soon come to know His peace, His comfort, His joy, His strength. I will be placing your name upon our cloth, that all those over the entire world will soon be my brother and sister in Christ. You will never be alone again….He IS love.

I am currently involved in a Bible study about the character of a Proverbs 31 woman. Donna Partow’s incredible book “Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be” is the foundation of our study. Donna leads us to do exercises that will help us refocus on skills we need to enrich our everyday life as women. In the third chapter, we concentrate on healthy eating and are instructed to start by cleaning out our pantry. Seeing value in this instruction, I immediately rolled up my sleeves and went to work. As I pulled each can of vegetables out to check dates, I came upon a can of green beans from 2002. Friends, I am writing this in 2011. I was amazed at first and after pondering how this could be, I realized I once had truly lived on the edge of life, working too many hours in a career and often during that time would bring home fast food for the family instead of preparing a meal from food that already had found a home in the corners of my cabinets. That is when it occurred to me. How many other corners do I need to unload of outdated thoughts, negative emotions stored up, lurking projects I can never say no to or people who are energy drainers in my life? Today, I challenge you to take inventory not just in your pantry but in your life. Roll up your sleeves and start pulling out and discarding those things which have found a place to hide in. Get rid of the “old stuff” in the corners that is holding you back from being free to grow and be the best you are capable of being.  

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Burgers sizzling on the grill, fireworks popping in spectacular color against an evening sky and family and friends sharing the fun of America’s Independence Day celebration!

We look forward to these traditions each year as this special holiday commences. Americans enjoy a rich tradition of heritage from a foundation laid before us by those with vision of free spirit and equal rights of choice. Those ideals today allow us to appreciate and value those certain rights including free speech and press, the right to peaceably assemble and so significant in current times, the freedom of religion.  We have the opportunity to gather with our family and friends and delight in a variety of food choices unlike many other countries. We have the financial ability to watch fireworks displays in many communities because America is not poor. And more importantly, we have the inalienable right to ask God for His blessing on our family, our food and our community and country. Thank you God for those who have gone before us, who knew how important these rights were and were willing to fight to attain them so that we might enjoy those same privileges today! Help us to remember as we celebrate, that we have an obligation to protect those freedoms for the generations to come.

Happy Birthday America…

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Have you ever wondered why some seem to have a magnetic personality and others do not? Why some are successful in ongoing relationships and repeat business? As a professional, I often observe others when I am in another place of business. I find it intriguing to see how employers treat employees, and employees treat customers. In fact, I wonder if there is any connection in the chain of behavior.

I was recently in a place of business where I saw a total lack of respect for the customer being waited on by an employee, and it left me wondering what type of example was being set for him by his manager. On the flip side, I have seen courtesy extended from the manager down through the sales clerk to the customer, who in turn was overjoyed at the outpouring of kindness, and responded with a letter of appreciation to the owner.  In both cases, I was the customer.

A secret to success means that people will come back again for the same service, not because you are #1 or because you are even that good at what you do. Yet, they will usually always return if you treat them with respect and genuinely care about them and their best interests!

Matthew 7:12 Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹²So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets.

This Sunday celebrates a special day for children everywhere–Father’s Day! I want to take this opportunity to write about a dad that has lived up to his fullest potential in using that title. I met him eleven years ago and within days, I knew that his children were one of the most important parts of his life. He was a single dad at the time, and he worked several jobs to make sure their needs were met. Both children were in school–one in college and one in high school. But it went beyond those needs. He was involved, not to the degree he was living out his life through them, but that he was more interested in their happiness and well-being. His support came in the form of writing them letters consistently and dropping them off in the front seat of their cars, or fixing dinner every night after he had worked two jobs. Even since they have grown up and have their own homes and family, he continues today to pour out his love through beautiful hand-written notes with quotes and advice for the road ahead. He talks about faith and experiences, and speaks to them from a father’s heart. More importantly, he has always been just a phone call away.

I know this dad because I married him, and he has extended that same love to my children and my grandchild as well, just like they were his own. I will be forever grateful to God for sending me a man who will always be one of the greatest dads I have ever known.

I know there are lots of really wonderful fathers who deserve accolades this Sunday for a well-earned Father’s Day. I hope this serves as congratulations to all those who have taken the job seriously, knowing that growing our children in today’s world is a full time job, and that they need all the encouragement only a man called “dad” can give!

I often laugh at myself. I really do try to maintain my serious exterior, but, try as I may, I do some questionably funny things. What makes me comfortable with it is that I realize others do as well, and it is in those moments that I am able to lighten up and laugh! For example, my friend and I were out together on a business appointment, and I had been holding her sunglasses. A little while later, she looked straight at me and asked where her sunglasses were. I said, “They’re on your face.” We both enjoyed a much needed laugh together and proceeded on our way. (How many times have I done the same thing?)  How about the time I tripped and fell in the middle of a downtown sidewalk in front of a construction crew working on a building and jumped up like nothing ever happened? Or the time I was on my cell phone and got out of my car without putting it in park? The list truly goes on.

A feature article on WebMD under the Women’s Health section by R. Morgan Griffin entitled “Laughter Therapy: What Happens When We Laugh” speaks to the benefits of laughing. It reads:

 “We change physiologically when we laugh. We stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure go up, and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues.

People who believe in the benefits of laughter say it can be like a mild work-out — and may offer some of the same advantages as a workout.”

In writing this blog today, many humorous moments have surfaced from my past, causing me to chuckle with delight. It reminds me that I am human and am wonderfully made in God’s image; therefore I can take my own advice, lighten up and laugh! Try it today. Take a minute and think about one of your funniest moments and get a good laugh in. It’s worth the time!

“A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22 (New King James Version)

Several years ago I contemplated my own personal development plan for my business career and the direction it might take me next. I had come to a sort of “fork in the road”. I could not acquire a sense of peace nor could I envision any new path.

It was during this time I attended a Love for Life seminar and became aware of God’s new plan for my lifelong dream. After reading about Christian Life Coaching from a brochure in my seminar packet, I started the search for a good program for certification. Part of the program I chose included one on one training with a personal life coach. I was very impressed and touched that after my interview with the President of the school, she shared that she would pray about which coach trainer I would be assigned to.

It was through my first coaching session, my coach asked me the question that was a turning point for me. “If time and money were not an issue, what would you enjoy doing with your life.”?

In that moment, I could not answer. Time and money had become such issues of importance that they took top priority.  I took my time to make more money to have more stuff which was robbing me of what I truly enjoyed doing. It was literally the foundation on which I was basing my life plan. It was no wonder I could not see very far down the road of my life. My coach encouraged me to see and set goals in a different facet, and provided accountability as I moved forward seeking God’s plan for my life. 

I now know what I enjoy doing!  My question as a Christian Life Coach is, “Do you”?

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Have you ever wondered how others see you? I must confess that, at this time in my life, I often ponder that question.
There was a period in my life that I did not think about values and how they reflected who I actually was. During this time, I was enjoying success in my career, as well as many other events that took precedence over evaluating who I was as a person. Did I mention everyday stress, unexpected events and overindulging habits? And therein, my friends, lies the culprit, “ME”. It was all about me. When I felt I could, I worked in time for family, friends, church and exercise. I’m sure you get the picture…..our lives are filled with “stuff” that takes priority over the quality of life.
There is a group of people I would like us to consider today as we are celebrating Memorial Day week. They are our Military service people.
They are consistently self-disciplined, proactive about their health and stamina, know their limits even when pushed beyond them and basically know who they are and where they are going. Most importantly, their focus is usually never about themselves but all about someone else. They see the road and are willing to take the journey. They run the race until they cross the finish line. Voluntarily! A shining example of Personal Best!
We are able to pursue a similar life, a life of peace and happiness, good health and quality relationships and the freedom to worship God because of their sacrifice.
How do we want others to see us? What will we be remembered for? This Memorial Day Holiday would be a great time to remember to honor and pray for those who have paid the price and are continuing to serve to allow us the freedom to choose how we will answer these questions.
Galatians 5:13 (New Living Translation)
13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.