Filling in the Blank

The blank page stares at me daring me to be brilliant. Will I meet the challenge or bolt from fear of failure?
The worst kind of failure is lack of effort.

So here it goes:

The war is on. It's on the battlefields across the world. It's on in the hearts of man. Fighting against fear, their own desires and what is expected; what is honorable and what is ultimately right. What is of worth or purpose is always worth the fight. And always there will be one.

The roads and passage ways will squeeze you on both sides. Push through. You may feel alone as you travel.....you're not, not even a bit. No one, no matter who you are or what you have done, can go far enough to be out of the loving reach of God. The crowd isn't a place to keep company; the map they follow leads to places no one should  go.
HOLD OUT.....WIN BIG!!

You Are Fine

"You are fine just the way you are." A large percentage of people hear this statement and go into "I'll tell you all the reasons this isn't so; couldn't possibly be correct" mode. The millions of self critical people who exhaust you as your efforts to encourage, uplift, and buildup, are met with "No, No, No; I'm Sooooo....fill in the blank with a negative".

Well, let's forget those particular guys and gals; they have made their choice."Want no help." "Have no intention of changing." 
These are the signs they carry. "Die hard droopy jaws", ....have cards that they carry in their wallets.....hand 'em out every time a friendly encouraging word dare come close.

Then the rest of the world weighs in with total acceptance. 
This is the group of which I choose to be a part. The people who enthusiastically say, "Absolutely, look at me and the wonderful one of a kind thing I have to offer. My company is worth having; something to enjoy and you will want more. I am gifted, confident and smile for the smallest reason. Count me in!"

Farewell

Dear Critic,

     My hope is that expressing my needs to you will cause you to settle down. Your constant opinions are not welcome. Might I be so bold as to point out that your words are unsolicited. It takes a great courage to be honest with you. We have been together a long time. In fact I can not remember a time when we were not together.

     Though it may take some getting used to, we must part company. your opinions of my abilities, my choices, and my many wants are stopping me in my tracks. To be stopped before you start especially by your inner critic is no way to live.

     Wanting to live freely, risk more, contribute all that I have and all that I am. Holding nothing back for fear of failure. Inner critic, I bid you farewell.

Fearful Things and Mirrorful Things

Fear is not always a negative. It can be a protection. A natural aversion .....a completely healthy fear of  snakes, badgers,  gossips, sink holes, rock slides, deadlines, bathing suit season, old girlfriends or boyfriends with slight stalking tendencies, public speaking, or private meetings with someone that intimidates you. All understandable encounters to avoid for all the obvious reasons. What if you are afraid of something  that is not obvious? Something not universally feared. What if it is so personal and overwhelming it stops you cold? You make an effort to step away physically or emotionally...... the strength you expend proves almost crippling . You grow tired and nearly give up permanently...... But you can't. 

What mirror are you looking in? 

The one in the bathroom that confirms what you feel, that you need rest and badly.  Your frightening appearance gives you pause. Or is it the mirror that reflects more than your image, but your inner most self? The one rarely seen by the general passerby. The reflection that shows your insecurities and short comings and failures. The fears and regrets of what has been and what has never been. The sum total of  'not good enough'.

I encourage a third and beautiful alternative to the former. Look in the mirror that shows the reflection of what God sees when He looks in your direction. He sees His beautiful child, the one He loves so dearly. He sees all the gifts and purpose He Himself placed inside your very being. He sees the apple of His eye. Hang a sheet on the mirrors of ugly reflection. Lay down the fear and bask in the beauty of God's creation.......YOU!

Sunset Memories

When the anxiety  of the day becomes too much; it is the unexpected glimpses of God's touch that still the frustrations of my heart. The sunset takes me by the hand and asks, "Do you remember?"  Yes, I remember.

Mom said often when I was small, "Look at  the sunset; isn't God a wonderful artist? He made that just for

you." ...........................

 And so He did, even tonight. All these years later, it grabs me and stops my rushed pace.

 I know God's day was busier than mine, but He's thinking of me. So, in that moment I relax!

I Took A Stroll Through My Imagination.......

I took a stroll through my imagination a few days ago and have decided to invite you to go with me on a return trip. Imagine with me, if you will, a meadow filled with wild flowers surrounded by tall timber. The top of the meadow meets with the foothills of immense, snow capped mountains. Can you see it in your minds eye?

Now, look toward the bottom of the meadow where the thick woods, shrouded in darkness, converge with a barbed wire fence held taut by solid wooden posts . The fence is the key; it is the boundary that marks our choice.

If we make our way to the high meadow, we can see through a cut in the mountains...........

It reveals green valleys, swiftly flowing rivers, and animals a plenty on the other side.  There are more mountains and even though you cannot see what is beyond them, you know without a doubt, the further you go the better it gets.

At the bottom of the meadow, the barbed wire fence captures your full attention and you wonder as you look around, "Why the fence?"  There is no other fence anywhere else. Only in front of the thick woods, shrouded in darkness. It is right then and there that you realize what you are looking at; you are fully aware.

On one side of the barbed wire, you have beauty, freedom, and plenty. On the other side, it is darkness and you can feel that untold horror that lay in the shadows. The fence discourages you from going too far, but it does not stop you.  The barbs are sharp, but if you want to get through it might hurt, however, you will easily find the other side. You will not be stopped.

You have just looked at God's grace; either accepted or rejected by you or me. How sobering to realize; it is our action that determines both how we spend our life day to day and our eternity. How thought provoking and, in my estimation, it should send us all running as fast as we can away from the barbed wire; away from the darkened woods; heading, without hesitation, directly to the high meadow and all that lays beyond. What do you think?

A Creak and a Squeak

An ache, a creak, I am sorely tempted to whine... to squeak. I pause because I remember to look up, my Father is there. Smiling, I encourage myself to lay down my care. Give into discouragement; I wouldn't dare. My Father's arms stretched wide enough to embrace me and meet my every need. He is everything and everywhere.