Sometimes life is not fair, but it can be worse. When we think that it is the end of one problem, another one occurs. When we finally pay off one debt, a surprise bill arrives in the mail. When we are healed with one ailment, another health issue appears. So, when does it stop? Let me illustrate it with a couple of experiences of mine before I answer that question.
November of 2004 has got to be one of the worst month of the history of my life. I was driving on the same road, on different days, of course, but in the same month. I was convince that November and St. Andrews Road was cursed with destruction. Anyway, one of the thing was, my husband and I had just picked up some of the furnitures from his aunt who was moving away. So, we drove home with my husband ahead of us in his uncle's Toyota truck while I was driving my Toyota Previa (in case you don't know much about cars like me, that's a van) with my daughter (at the time she was only two years old) sleeping in her carseat. We were fine until we were about two miles away from our home. My husband had passed the light and I had just passed it about 20 ft. when I heard this sqeaking noise-more like ewwwwbonk.
Yep, you guessed it. I was reared ended. My bumper was dented and my china cabinet was broken (without my knowledge), but the lady begged and begged. "What the heck were you in such a hurry for!", I yelled. She acknowledge my anger with "I'm so sorry. I just came from the Kroger pharmacy. I have this terrible allegy. I didn't feel good. I tried to stop, my car just slipped." And, she continued to beg me not to call the police because her insurance would kick her out if they knew that she was involved in another accident. "Please, please, please? I'm begging you. Please." At the time she seemed serious about paying for the damage (no, she didn't pay). So, my husband took down her information, and I was to take my car to the garage she specified and she would than pay for the damage.
Now, before that issue was resolved (It never was, I just decided to forgive her and myself for believing her and went on with my life), I sent my kids to school and came back home on the same road. I remember I was following the bus and a compact car with a sticker saying, "children study better hungry". I also remembered following several cars. I mean the road was busy. I remembered looking at my speedometer and saying to myself, "oops! I'm driving too fast." I was driving 45 mph. So, I slowwwed down. Suddenly, from the time I was aware of my speed to the time the police stopped me, it was just two miles, no more. All the cars in front and behind me disappeared into thin air, except the cop. Aaaaaagh.
Let me tell you, I've never been so afraid. But, waittt! As it wasn't bad enough, my daughter-yes the same two year old daughter-got out of her carseat, came in between the two front seat, stuck her head right beside me and said, "hi", waving her hand at the police. I closed my eyes, tilt my head back (ouch, my neck was stiffed from stress), and said, "Tabitha!". The officer looked at me with sincere acknowledgement and said, "it's alright, I saw her before she got out of her seat." Whew. I was ticketed for violating school speed zone, only.
I was so afraid. I had never been stopped by an officer before. Never, not while I was driving. I was miss perfect. And, oh, I was talking to God before I was caught, too. So, I relunctantly took the ticket from the officer, put my daughter back in her carseat, buckled myself, and shifted the gear onto "D", and continued my conversation with God. "God, how could you allow this to happen to me. I was talking to you. To You. How could you! When will this stop?" Shaking my stiffed neck, "So, is this what you want me to write about? Will this experience help someone someday?" His voice was soft and affirmative, "My grace is sufficient for you."
Just thinking about it right now, stresses me out. But, knowing that God is in control. That He sees all the things that are happening in our lives. That He understands. And, He knows whether or not is our fault. And since, Christ is superior to all things above and below, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", (Philippians 4:13), including the officer who had the audacity to hand me the ticket and wished me to have a good day. I can handle it.
God also gave me Hebrews 12:11 "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." God loves us and wants the best for us. The wait may seem long and the troubles may seem like they will never end, but it will. We are commanded to wait patiently and understand that God is God and He has everything under control, including our enemies. This should be music to our ears.
Many years ago, a friend told me that when the evil spirits wrestles with him, he said, "go right ahead, I may die physically by your hand, but I will live in Christ. The sooner I die, the sooner I will be with Christ. Though, you may have my body, Christ has my life." That rings so true.
Proverbs 24:10 says, "If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your faith!" Ouch.
Remember Our God is not just any god, He says that He will supply all of our needs. Also, Psalm 16:7 says, "When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him." Wow! What a wonderful promise. That means that when we are obedient to His Word, He will cause our enemies to do things for our benefit. Our enemies will live in peace with us. Aaaaah! How sweet it is that I am a child of God. Remain in the Lord today and experience His grace and mercy, sufficient for all of your needs. Whatever problem(s), you may have right now, don't give up. Trust and expect God to answer you. Someone once said that if you pray for rain, bring an umbrella with you as you're heading out.
Until next time, have a blessed day.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
Half-full
Good afternoon. I hope that all is well with all of you. I've already broken my promise to blog every week. It has been two weeks since I blogged. And this was only the beginning. I have no reason and no excuse. All I have is the truth: I was struck with depression and numbness. Actually, I began to blog before Mother's day. I had a beautiful peace to dedicate to my mother. I was almost finished when my computer went dead on me and it took all I had put into the blog. I was frustrated, so I stopped. Besides, my family had to eat.
Although, I had not had a chance to sit and put my thought together, one family occasion kept on nagging me. So, let's get on with it. Instead of continuing to justify why I chose Mrs. Proverbs 31, I want to turn your attention to something very familiar. Something that we hear all the time, but never really truly reflect or dwell on it too long or enough to recognize how it plays in our lives.
As I was driving down the highway with my children, my oldest questioned me about herself and how she should handle one of the comment she received from her school mates. I was in a pretty good mood, so I returned her question with a question. I said, "it all depends how you look at it. Is the glass half-full or half-empty?" And, before she could answer me, my son said, "you should always look at it as half-full, that way, you know that you will get more." I was totally awed by his explanation. Until that day, I've never gain the true meaning of that analogy. I congratulated my son for his insight, and my daughter gave him a nasty look. The sibbling war had begun.
The point I want to make here is that we are all love by the Lord. Each time we are given a special opportunity, we are to look at it as half-full so we make an effort to be sure we will receive the rest to fill it up. The Bible says that if we are not faithful to small things, how could he trust us with the bigger things? So, today, if you received something other than what you've expected. Less than you've imagined. Thank Him and believe that there's more where that came from. God loves you and continues to plan your future for you. Trust Him. Act on what you have right now and He will bring more to fill your glass.
I want to challenge you to live your life as though the glass is half-full. Keep it open to receive more. God is not finished with you yet.
See you soon.
Although, I had not had a chance to sit and put my thought together, one family occasion kept on nagging me. So, let's get on with it. Instead of continuing to justify why I chose Mrs. Proverbs 31, I want to turn your attention to something very familiar. Something that we hear all the time, but never really truly reflect or dwell on it too long or enough to recognize how it plays in our lives.
As I was driving down the highway with my children, my oldest questioned me about herself and how she should handle one of the comment she received from her school mates. I was in a pretty good mood, so I returned her question with a question. I said, "it all depends how you look at it. Is the glass half-full or half-empty?" And, before she could answer me, my son said, "you should always look at it as half-full, that way, you know that you will get more." I was totally awed by his explanation. Until that day, I've never gain the true meaning of that analogy. I congratulated my son for his insight, and my daughter gave him a nasty look. The sibbling war had begun.
The point I want to make here is that we are all love by the Lord. Each time we are given a special opportunity, we are to look at it as half-full so we make an effort to be sure we will receive the rest to fill it up. The Bible says that if we are not faithful to small things, how could he trust us with the bigger things? So, today, if you received something other than what you've expected. Less than you've imagined. Thank Him and believe that there's more where that came from. God loves you and continues to plan your future for you. Trust Him. Act on what you have right now and He will bring more to fill your glass.
I want to challenge you to live your life as though the glass is half-full. Keep it open to receive more. God is not finished with you yet.
See you soon.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Why MrsProverbs31
When I chose this name for my blog, I know that many may think, "why MrsProverbs31?"
MrsProverbs31 is an inspiring character whom I hope to be one day. By far, I am not Mrsproverbs31. MrsProverbs31 is our space. Our community. A place for us to share our knowledge, strength, and wisdom. If you are anything like me, you will desire the character of the woman found in Proverbs 31:10-31.
The characters and strength of this woman: She is worthy (v.10, 25, 28, 29), well respected by her husband and children (v.11, 28), makes good choices (v. 12, 13, 18), a hard worker (v. 15, 17, 19, 21-22), compassionate (v.20), a business woman (v. 13, 18,), and wise (v. 25). Because of her strong character and faith, her husband gains respect from his neighbors and communities.
Due to my experiences in seeing so many women give up in living for Jesus because they just can't see themselves in the role of Proverbs 31's woman, I create this community hoping to inspire you to live by the characters of this woman. In a lot of ways, many of us are wearing many hats. We may not be as successful as this character, but we are in our own ways, Mrs. Proverbs 31. Most of us are mothers, wives, business professionals, and are highly respected, but we never view ourselves as Mrs. Proverbs 31. I think it is due to our own vision of her being the perfect woman. The Bible says, "noble" not "perfect."
But, the Bible also states that we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 6:23). Because Mrs Proverbs 31 is a woman. She, too, fall short. She's noble as many of us are noble. But, only God alone is perfect and sinless. Agree? I sure hope so. We fear judgements and criticisms. We fear failures. We fear . . .and we fear. . . and we fear. . . No matter what we feel inside today, I challenge you to live your God given call.
MrsProverbs31 should be every woman's goal in living to our fullest potential. She should inspire us to live by faith and in peace. If it wasn't possible, God would not have breathed the words into the author's heart to put into paper. Therefore, live for God, by God and in God alone. But, shine to the world in your living for Jesus.
More to come.
MrsProverbs31 is an inspiring character whom I hope to be one day. By far, I am not Mrsproverbs31. MrsProverbs31 is our space. Our community. A place for us to share our knowledge, strength, and wisdom. If you are anything like me, you will desire the character of the woman found in Proverbs 31:10-31.
The characters and strength of this woman: She is worthy (v.10, 25, 28, 29), well respected by her husband and children (v.11, 28), makes good choices (v. 12, 13, 18), a hard worker (v. 15, 17, 19, 21-22), compassionate (v.20), a business woman (v. 13, 18,), and wise (v. 25). Because of her strong character and faith, her husband gains respect from his neighbors and communities.
Due to my experiences in seeing so many women give up in living for Jesus because they just can't see themselves in the role of Proverbs 31's woman, I create this community hoping to inspire you to live by the characters of this woman. In a lot of ways, many of us are wearing many hats. We may not be as successful as this character, but we are in our own ways, Mrs. Proverbs 31. Most of us are mothers, wives, business professionals, and are highly respected, but we never view ourselves as Mrs. Proverbs 31. I think it is due to our own vision of her being the perfect woman. The Bible says, "noble" not "perfect."
But, the Bible also states that we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 6:23). Because Mrs Proverbs 31 is a woman. She, too, fall short. She's noble as many of us are noble. But, only God alone is perfect and sinless. Agree? I sure hope so. We fear judgements and criticisms. We fear failures. We fear . . .and we fear. . . and we fear. . . No matter what we feel inside today, I challenge you to live your God given call.
MrsProverbs31 should be every woman's goal in living to our fullest potential. She should inspire us to live by faith and in peace. If it wasn't possible, God would not have breathed the words into the author's heart to put into paper. Therefore, live for God, by God and in God alone. But, shine to the world in your living for Jesus.
More to come.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Meet MrsProverbs31
Hi all,
I have been studying a lot these days. Most of the studies that I do have to do with marketing and self-development materials. How I got here is this: About 9 months ago I started with Herbalife as an independent distributor because I was desperate to make a financial change in my life and my daughter Elizabeth was newly born, so I didn't want to leave home. Thus, my life with Herbalife began. No, I'm not going to sell you on Herbalife, but if you are interested, my website is still up. Check it out at www.shape-team.com. Though, I may take it down so that I can focus on MrsProverbs31.
Anyway, as I was working on recruiting new downlines, I realize how sad and upset people are. It began to burden me with thought of creating a home for people to come to and relax, get to know themselves better. Now, before I get you all confused in all, I had no knowledge of self-help products. Thanks to Herbalife and my upline team, I learned that I couldn't be successful unless I do some self-improvement studies. WOW! My initial thought was they promised to provide me with a proven step-by-step system. What in the world are they trying to take my money for now? Remember, money was an issue for me. Anyhow, as I started to recruit and more people say no to me, it began to weigh down on me heavily. I was angry at my mentor for lying to me that this was a simple business. All I needed was a willing spirit/attitude (That was my thought, not the true nature of my mentor).
Am I jumping all over the place? I hope not.
Back to the anger. I began to search what successful people have that I don't? What can I do to produce that happy jolly personality so that when people say no to me, it wouldn't hurt? The first book I turned to was: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I couldn't put it down (some parts are simply boring-the part about Carnegie and his steel plant got me lost). I grabbed onto anything I can get it cheap; marketing tools and whatever help I can get. I was desperate to succeed. Dispite all the grabbing and promoting, I realize I lack something: persistence and perseverance. Most of all, I hate calling people (I generally hate it when telemarketers call me, too). I dragged the "dials", the calls. The more people hung up on me, the more I desire to quit Herbalife, although they have fantastic products. I believe I can be successful because they have superb supporting systems and training, but boy, the calls? I was just not crazy about.
Anyhow, as I experienced more and more hung ups, I realize that a lot of people are still in the dark about life, about themselves. They may be clueless as to how to change their lives. They don't want to be sold, they want help. Although, Herbalife may be the ticket to many people's freedom, I lost my belief that it could be mine. I want to do something that would give people gratifications. And, because so many of the things that I learned are so good, I want to pass them down to people who desire a change in life. Thus, MrsProverbs31 is born. I have to admit that I got the name from reading The Confident Woman by Joyce Meyer. So, thanks Joyce.
I chose MrsProverbs31 because she's a very knowledgeable individual. She's multi-tasked. A very hard worker, indeed. Many of us over-worked. You think about it, you as a women hold many positions: You are a mother (if you are), a wife (if you are), you volunteer at your children's school, you may play the piano at church, or lead the church choir, you have your day work to earn money, you transport your children to and from places, etc., etc. But, when you get stuck or want more in life, where's the one place you can turn to? Hopefully, it would be MrsProverbs31
So, my goal with MrsProverbs31 is to provide self-help resources to all women. We as women are so multi-tasked and not very much appreciated. Since I'm still at the learning phase, I would hope that many of you who are experienced in certain areas would be willing to share your expertise in your area. In return, you get your free advertisement through me and you provide chance for those who are desperate to change but have no way out-this is the greatest reward of all.
More to come later.
MrsProverbs31
P.S. please let me know what you think. This is a beginner's idea. Please, be gentle, but frank and honest. How else do you think I will learn?
I have been studying a lot these days. Most of the studies that I do have to do with marketing and self-development materials. How I got here is this: About 9 months ago I started with Herbalife as an independent distributor because I was desperate to make a financial change in my life and my daughter Elizabeth was newly born, so I didn't want to leave home. Thus, my life with Herbalife began. No, I'm not going to sell you on Herbalife, but if you are interested, my website is still up. Check it out at www.shape-team.com. Though, I may take it down so that I can focus on MrsProverbs31.
Anyway, as I was working on recruiting new downlines, I realize how sad and upset people are. It began to burden me with thought of creating a home for people to come to and relax, get to know themselves better. Now, before I get you all confused in all, I had no knowledge of self-help products. Thanks to Herbalife and my upline team, I learned that I couldn't be successful unless I do some self-improvement studies. WOW! My initial thought was they promised to provide me with a proven step-by-step system. What in the world are they trying to take my money for now? Remember, money was an issue for me. Anyhow, as I started to recruit and more people say no to me, it began to weigh down on me heavily. I was angry at my mentor for lying to me that this was a simple business. All I needed was a willing spirit/attitude (That was my thought, not the true nature of my mentor).
Am I jumping all over the place? I hope not.
Back to the anger. I began to search what successful people have that I don't? What can I do to produce that happy jolly personality so that when people say no to me, it wouldn't hurt? The first book I turned to was: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I couldn't put it down (some parts are simply boring-the part about Carnegie and his steel plant got me lost). I grabbed onto anything I can get it cheap; marketing tools and whatever help I can get. I was desperate to succeed. Dispite all the grabbing and promoting, I realize I lack something: persistence and perseverance. Most of all, I hate calling people (I generally hate it when telemarketers call me, too). I dragged the "dials", the calls. The more people hung up on me, the more I desire to quit Herbalife, although they have fantastic products. I believe I can be successful because they have superb supporting systems and training, but boy, the calls? I was just not crazy about.
Anyhow, as I experienced more and more hung ups, I realize that a lot of people are still in the dark about life, about themselves. They may be clueless as to how to change their lives. They don't want to be sold, they want help. Although, Herbalife may be the ticket to many people's freedom, I lost my belief that it could be mine. I want to do something that would give people gratifications. And, because so many of the things that I learned are so good, I want to pass them down to people who desire a change in life. Thus, MrsProverbs31 is born. I have to admit that I got the name from reading The Confident Woman by Joyce Meyer. So, thanks Joyce.
I chose MrsProverbs31 because she's a very knowledgeable individual. She's multi-tasked. A very hard worker, indeed. Many of us over-worked. You think about it, you as a women hold many positions: You are a mother (if you are), a wife (if you are), you volunteer at your children's school, you may play the piano at church, or lead the church choir, you have your day work to earn money, you transport your children to and from places, etc., etc. But, when you get stuck or want more in life, where's the one place you can turn to? Hopefully, it would be MrsProverbs31
So, my goal with MrsProverbs31 is to provide self-help resources to all women. We as women are so multi-tasked and not very much appreciated. Since I'm still at the learning phase, I would hope that many of you who are experienced in certain areas would be willing to share your expertise in your area. In return, you get your free advertisement through me and you provide chance for those who are desperate to change but have no way out-this is the greatest reward of all.
More to come later.
MrsProverbs31
P.S. please let me know what you think. This is a beginner's idea. Please, be gentle, but frank and honest. How else do you think I will learn?
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