365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 296

Wisdom is not an age thing. It is a gift from God. This is a quote from a seven-year-old boy on what love is: 'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.' Stop and listen are two of the best commands given to us to help us know that our amazing God is with us all the time.

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 162

I come from a family of women who are have a tendency to not listen well. We speak before thinking, react before processing and let anger take control. My mom, sister and I were on our annual spa trip together this last weekend. It is a good time but inevitably becomes a therapy session. Being the quieter one within this trio, I tend to just let them do the talking and will pipe in when there is a purpose behind it. I am not one to talk much about nothing. This time around I was having a very difficult time maintaining my patience and gentleness with them because of the negative stuff that seemed to be coming out more than anything else. My mom, being older and wiser, realized she may have to temper her mouth a little more so as not to set off my sister. I came to the point that I was thinking about not doing this anymore. I need a vacation from my vacation. It feels like walking on egg shells at times because anything you say can be held against you and may set off a volcano. I can’t be the therapist to my mother and sister and our relationships because I am too close to it all so I just have prayed and let them know I love them and hope that the Lord will guide them both in drawing nearer to the Lord so that they may bear the fruit the Holy Spirit can give.

James 1:19-21 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 29

I have heard this song on the radio recently and just love it. It is my prayer in song of what love can be within me with the Lord’s help. The Proof of Your Love is the name of the song by for King and Country. Here is a link to the official music video on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7InTwESnwzo  Here are some words from the song I keep singing in my head: Let my life be the proof, the proof of your love. Let my love look like you and what your made of. How you lived, how you died. Love is sacrifice. So, let my life be the proof of your love. The song indicates that we are nothing without love. Bankrupt. Because love is everything, the central part of who we are and can be, it should be our number one focus everyday. My goal is to sing this song everyday and pray these words and let God’s love shine through me. Take a moment and listen to the song and really hear the words with your heart.

John 13:34 “I give you a new command. Love one another. You must love another, just as I have loved you. If you love one another, everyone will know you are my disciples.”

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 354

Yesterday I did a large import of customers using our newest database with the modifications that have been made to it to help streamline the matching process. I was afraid that I would find issues importing a larger list of customers and I was right. It wasn’t a major problem but it was an annoying and time consuming issue which really defeats the purpose of the new modifications.  I am thankful that I sent my email to our operations manage last week with my concerns about going live with the new database and the fact the current new modifications were not going to give me any more substantial time to add more work.  They are gearing up to pass all the cancellation requests for all the other jurisdictions that the Irving office handles but I was frank in my email and made some suggestions as to the two pieces that really need to be worked on to bring in some automation that would save time. I got an email yesterday showing that my office manager actually read my email and took my concerns and suggestion seriously. She also let me get a bit off my chest last Thursday when my PMS was in full gear and the negativity was too much to bear.  The next day she bought our team lunch at Jason’s Deli to thank us for all our hard work and to sing our praises.  I have been guilty of judging her in negative ways but I think that like the rest of us she is doing the best she can under the circumstances. So, thank you Lord for being listened to and validated at my work place and forgive me for judging others in any way.

James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 316

This day has blown by and here I am scrambling before bed to get in my praise for the day. I like to do it in the morning when my mind is fresh but Saturday mornings are lazy morning because they can be and one thing leads to another and I end up not doing my normal routine. I am praising the Lord for bringing my long-time mom friend here from Kansas. She need a friend to listen and I need to be affirmed in that I could. Thank you Lord for bringing the people into our lives that can help you see things more clearly and thank you Lord for working through them.
Psalm 86:13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 92

One of my new responsibilities at my job is to call back alarm companies that call in with questions, etc. Most people that know me, already are aware I am not a phone person. It may be because of what I think is an audiotory processing issue I have that is fairly common. I have always had a fear of the phone. But I have been steadily gaining more confidence especially at my job because I have been there for almost 3 years and pretty much know my stuff and if I don't, I know where to get it. Yesterday morning I had to call a man who had a very thick accent, possibly French who seemed very frustrated so I wasn't so sure how this phone call was going to go. So, I started off the phone call with a casual easy-going what can I do to help you out? That set the tone very well as he said later in the phone call that he felt like he was talking with a real person rather than a robot. It turns out the guy was not very good with computer stuff and just needed someone to listen to him and to give him a little guidance on what he should do. Although I was initially a little wary of what this phone call was going to end up being like especially because of the thick accent, I was happily delighted with the outcome. The man was very happy and professing today is turning into a great day. I am really thankful to God for giving me a sense of peace in doing this phone call, patience, understanding and compassion which really ended up helping this man out. Is there a frustrated or angry person in your life that could use a showering of kindness?
Romans 11:22 Consider therefore the kindness and sterness of God: sterness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness.