Practice what is preached...

Haven't blogged in awhile...it's been an unintentional break I guess you could say. My last post was about taking time to play in the rain...which I also took to heart and took more time to do more than just play in the rain.. I've been taking time to enjoy the basics of life and what God has gifted to me. In the month of May, I had high aspirations for writing and really devoting myself to channel what God was showing me into devotion form to hopefully impact others for Him. Instead, He has seemed to block the avenues that once were wide open for me to travel and the words stopped flowing from my mind onto paper. I still had thoughts and wonderful applications from His word, however, they stopped with me and I meditated on them. I realized, I needed to apply the aspects not just convey them and move onto to the next anecdotal concept to share with others. I needed to put into practice what I was attempting to preach. What God showed me was that He was trying to spend intimate time with me and for me to really listen to Him.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

My aspirations were strictly that, MY aspirations and not those of the Father. Not to say these goals were not godly, but they were not in His timing. I still feel He wants me to write and to share His word; however, in this case I was slipping back into the business of taking matters into my own hands to carve out the destiny I thought God had for me, not relying on Him to pave the way.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

With my recent sabbatical, the pressure has been taken off of me to try to write down for all to read what I am feeling and what God is teaching me. Out of all of that, I had found a much more fulfilling life. I am taking things and people in my life less for granted. Unless you have been on a deserted island or living under a rock, the headlines on every form of communication have been overcome with the news of deaths of celebrities both young and old. Some are more legend than star but the one thing they all have in common is their humanity. None of us can shake our humanity or hide it under the glitz and glamour money and fame affords us. Bottom line, we don't own anything in this life -- not the material things, not the family and friends we hold dear or even our bodies... They are all just borrowed items living on borrowed time. There is no guarantee of tomorrow or even the next minute. What we are challenged with is to live our lives and make them count for something.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

My son and hubby are so dear to me and over this past couple of months, we have taken more time together as a family. We laugh more, talk more (I mean really talk), and just enjoy being together. It seems like just yesterday Little Man was doing the army crawl, screeching for momma while holding a pacifier in his mouth that hubby said resembled the way old man hold onto their stogies. Fast forward, 5 years later and now he would rather spend time with his friends and off he runs down the street barely looking back to shout "bye mom." I realized if I didn't stop and really enjoy this time, the fast forward button may get stuck and all the chances to make lasting memories could be lost forever. So, I challenge each of you to really look at your lives and see what motivates you to get out of bed each morning. Think of the trivial things in life and determine if they are really worth the effort we put into them. Consider what and who is really important to you... I challenge each of you to take today to start make memories...and pause the fast forward button for just a little while. After all, we aren't promised tomorrow so let's make the most of today. Live life with no regrets!! That's my plan -- want to join me??

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14 (NIV)

Dear Heavenly Father - -I thank You for not turning off the lines of communication yet allowing me to see that You still had more for me to learn and to make changes in my own life. I thank You for all that You have allowed me to have in this life, particularly my family. I pray that You forgive me for taking them and my life in general for granted. I pray for Your direction and guidance to make the most of this life You have given me to live. In the precious name of Jesus AMEN. Application:

• Do you accept my challenge above???
• Do you accept God's directive to make your life count for something?