Be Who You Are...

Men are right. We women are hard to figure out. God made us that way for a reason. We have minds that educate, souls that nurture, and hearts that love enough for everyone. He made man's bodies to protect and provide. He made women's bodies to carry life and to take care of others. The problem isn't that we are complicated. The problem is that you see us that way. Look at the women in your... life as beautiful, kind, loving, and that is what you will see always. It's simple really. Out of all the creatures on earth, God chose a woman named Mary to bare His son. If a woman is good enough for that, she is good enough for anything. Women, encourage and love each other. Be faithful and kind to all those in your life. Remember...we are not superior to men, or even each other. We are daughter's of Christ. In His eyes, we are all loved, protected, and nurtured by Him tje same way. Just something to start your new week out with. Have a blessed Sunday.

What If...

I heard a sermon, recently, that hit really close to home. As I listened to this pastor give his message, I began to look back and think about all the things I talked myself out of that I should have done instead. I didn't talk myself out of them because I didn't want to do them. I did it because I was afraid. Afraid of failure, mostly. I began to ask myself, "How many things have I talked myself out of the God was trying to lead me into becuase I was afraid?" Fear is a... very real thing. It can cripple some people. Did we ever stop to think the reason opportunities present themselves is becuase that is where God wants us to go? Instead of putting all of our trust in God, we say no to taking that step becuase we let fear be greater then His presence in our life. I never looked at it that way. Maybe we need to look at that job assignment, dinner with friends, that move to a new home, starting college, or whatever the situation is in your life as an opportunity to go where God wants us to be. I always say, "I am walking with God on this one." When I start a new journey I am unsure of. Now, when I say it...I will make sure that I truly am putting my trust in Him and His plan for me. I will not be afraid. For I know that God is bigger then anything that may come my way, including my fear. What are you afraid of? What holds you back from following God's plan for you? Our assignment today is to think about this and to put Him above our fears. Have a great day, my friends. May it hold opportunities and blessings that will lead you down the path God has set for you.

Writing Assignment...

This whole last week has been so full of ups and downs.  When I dreamt of being a nurse, I had never thought I would be doing it from behind the scenes.  I remember shortly after I became a nurse, looking at one of my dear friends, who was a supervisor, and stated no amount of money would get me to do her job.  I remember her saying that it was not so bad.  Now, here I am ten years later, and I am doing work I never thought I would do.  Sometimes we have dreams and we get so caught up in them that we are heartbroken when they don't come true.  That was me.  I literally cried my eyes out for weeks after giving up patient care because becoming a nurse practitioner was not going to happen.  Between my vulnerable immune system and the physical stress on  my body, it would have put me at too much risk for infection and injury.  My time working behind the scenes grew on me, tough.  It really showed me a side of nursing that I knew very little about.  It made me even more passionate about how well we take care of our patients.  I continued to walk with God through it, not sure where He was going to take me.  I see bits and pieces of His plans for me everyday.  Sometimes, I even question them.  I know, we shouldn't do that.  But when I do, He always gives me an answer in one way or another.  Seven years after my diagnosis, I am sitting here and still try to figure it all out.  But one thing I know for sure.  Nursing is my calling.  I know this because I am still doing it after all the struggle and illness.  Not in the way I thought I would.  I am doing it in the way God led me to.  You know what?  I love it even more.  I have realized so much about myself and God through the process.  I know that there is not a day that goes by that I can't get through without Him.  Some days are easy and I just need to praise Him.  Other days are hard and I pray to Him to help me through it.  I do try to hide those bad days the best I can.  I am human, however, and it isn't always so easy. I am so blessed to work for an organization that is always trying to improve and has such great staff.  God has given me many gifts.  Family, friends, my career, gardening, crafting, and writing.  I have always kept a journal.  I write down everything from bad moments to the best moments to goals and aspirations.  It is not only very therapeutic, it is also a way to express myself in words that I would get all wrong if they were spoken.  Words can be powerful things when wrote in certain context.  They take us far away, give us wisdom, make us laugh, or even make us cry.  So this leads me to our assignment for the day.  Start writing things down.  It might be making a list.  Keeping a cookbook with your favorite recipes.  Try keeping a journal of some sort.  Maybe just journal things you are grateful for each day.  In today's world of text messaging, emailing, and social media, handwritten words are hard to come by.  Maybe keep a journal for each of your children and journal their accomplishments, your love for them, and things they like.  Put them away and give them to them when they have children of their own.  Trust me...nothing could mean more.  Just start writing with pen and paper.  It could be a cheap notebook.  Its about the content, not the cover.  Big hugs, much love, and many blessings! 

That Moment...

That moment when you realize all the struggle, all the bad moments, the heartache, pain, and the fight to get through each day has led you to a place you could only dream of before. That feeling of having opportunities no matter where you turn and knowing you can and will make a difference in others lives. For all those long nights when sleep seemed impossible and the pain and tears were all you could focus on. I am in a much better place, despite my current health issues,... then I was even a year ago. Yes, I still have bad days. However, they are the days that keep reminding me of how far I have come. It takes an Army of doctors and medications to keep this body working. But it works. Well, kind of. Lol! As long as I can keep doing work that will keep others inspired, healthy, and fighting I am willing to keep fighting myself. It is what gets me out of bed, drives me to work, and up to do it the next day. I once said I had a plan for my life. I have learned that my plan may not always coincide with God's plan. But that it is His plan that has given me the most reward and the appreciation for blessings I would not of had otherwise. Struggle can lead to success. Success isn't always money and power to some. For me, it is making the most of the life I have been entrusted with. He only grants us one. It is our responsibility to decide how we want to live it and what kind of legacy we leave behind. I want my grandson to look at my picture someday and know that his Nana was a Christian woman, who put others first, loved her family, and made a difference to her patients, coworkers, and community.