Take Ownership of your Gift!

Imagine with me, if you will...

It's Christmas morning, and everyone has gathered around the tree to open presents. You look over and your child has picked up THE gift. The one that he offered to do extra chores for, the one that he talked about constantly, the one that he asked for over and over again, even promised to correct his poor behavior if he could just get this gift. Your child has THIS gift in his hands, and you sit there holding your breath, filled with excitement, anticipating the joy that he will express once he opens the gift. There's a big smile on your face as you watch him rip the paper off, piece by piece and then he looks at you and you are ready to burst and he says "thanx", with the same emotion that he has when it's Monday morning and he has to go to school. Talk about a kill joy, a downer, a let down, a disappointment...well just imagine how God feels when you downplay YOUR gift. Someone gives you a compliment and you say "Oh girl it was nothing, I didn't do much" You have just downplayed your gift!

Embrace the gift or gifts that you have been given. Don't denounce, deny or downplay your gifts, but instead rejoice and take ownership of your gifts!


2Corinthians 9:15 - "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift"

New Year...New Decade...New You???

The fireworks have been fired and the horns have been blown shooing in yet another New Year, a new decade...But what will make this year, this decade different for you? What were your resolutions? Perhaps you wanted to lose weight, or stop smoking/drinking, be a better parent or maybe just be a better you. Here are 5 steps that might help...

Love:
LOVE GOD...LOVE YOURSELF!!!
everyone else is 2nd...you got it?!

Forgive:
You holding a grudge against someone is like cutting yourself and expecting someone else to bleed...the only person you are hurting is YOU! They have gone on happily living their lives and you are spiking your blood pressure every time you hear their name...GET A GRIP! No one should have that much power over you that isn't in the blessing and miracle business.
Matthew 5:44 "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

No Worries:
Matthew 6:27 says: "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?"
Don't sweat the small stuff. We have a rule, my daughter and I, you can't worry about something you have no control over. The train is late...what can you do about that? Get up earlier and take an earlier train and it won't affect you. Too often we worry or get bent outta shape over things we can't control. She was talking about me...you can't control what someone else does or says. Git over it and move on!

Laugh:
take time to laugh...because when you get right down to it, Life isn't as serious as some make it out to be.
"What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul..."

Pray:
Pray for guidance, direction and forgiveness.
Jeremiah 42:3 "Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do."

Each new year affords us the opportunity to recreate ourselves. How can we become the best that we can be?

New Year...New Decade...New You??? What will you do differently this year?