365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 328

Praise the Lord for a new day, a new beginning, a new everything. What a gift that is to be able to go to bed with the gossip you may have partaken in at work or the yelling you did at your kids or the lack of love you showed and wake up the next day and start fresh. Sins of the day before washed clean. Each day we can say we are sorry and know that we are forgiven. The Holy Spirit will fill us up and guide us in our new day but we have to listen. That is probably the hardest part. I got caught in the trap of talking negatively about someone with co-workers. I saw it coming and fought it internally but what I should have done is got up and walked away from it or even better stand up and say no more negative talk about anyone. I am thankful for the forgiveness given to me thanks to Jesus and I am thankful for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in helping me learn from my mistakes. Have you done something recently that you just knew after doing it that it was wrong? Stop and tell our mighty God you are sorry and pray for his help.

Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 217

Praising God for my co-worker friendships. Our company has changed a lot since the new owners took over. Unfortunately, although a small part has been good the people aspect part has become terrible. We've lost benefits and are being micro-managed to the point that people are making comments about just walking out. In the breadth of those same negative comments, however, are the comments that its the people we work with that make it worthwhile. Its good to focus on the good aspects like this and let the others go since there isn't anything we can do about how the company is run. I am thankful to God for the friendships with my co-workers, the laughs we share, the listening ears for our venting and for making going to work a good thing. The situations we find ourselves in may not be to our liking but in the midst you will always discover that its the relationships with others that makes it all worth it. Here's a good quote from CS Lewis on friendship: 

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”

Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 98

Change has been happening a lot lately especially at my work. I have never been afraid of change but rather embrace it but too much change at once can create a feeling of being out-of-control and wreak so much havoc and cause a lot of stress. That's how I was feeling last week, I let the changes at work overwhelm me instead of taking it to God which I finally did. I have been much more at peace and less stressed about getting the amount of work I have done. But again as I said early this week after my friend died unexpectedly things can change on a dime. Yesterday, I along with a few others from my department were called into the break room for an unexpected meeting. Unexpected meetings are almost always not good. I big red flag went up when I walked in and saw a lady I didn't recognize and noticed that my team lead looked like she had been crying. Something Not good was up and I was starting to feel a bit sick at heart. Half of my department was laid off yesterday. Thankfully, I wasn't in that half but here come more changes. So, I will be asking God continually throughout my work days for peace and comfort to help me and the rest of what's left in my department to get through these changes with grace and a sense of calm in our hearts. Things can change in a heart beat, death of a friend, getting laid off from work, slipping on ice and hurting yourself, and the list could go on and on. How do you handle change? As with EVERYTHING it is best placed in the hands of God who never changes.
James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 45

There are certain people that you are around almost everyday. Obviously, the family you live with but also the people you work with. I am praising those people I work with today. Although, frustrations do happen and communication can be better, the work environment is a good one and that is thanks to the people that are in it. I am especially fond and thankful for my nearest co-workers who will drop anything to help me out when I need it, have great words of wisdom and whom I share plenty of laughter with. I heard yesterday we have a new person being added to data entry, my department and to customer service. This is not only great for those two people to have gotten a job but for the company that recently got sold to a competitor. They have told us nothing will be changing at least for the next 18 months but you always have to wonder. Hiring two new people is comforting in that maybe I will have a job in 18 months. Are there people you are around everyday that you haven't shown appreciation for lately? Put a card on their desk with a note of appreciation or take them out for lunch.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus