I love to read. Reading the Bible is the best. The first five quotations that really spoke to my heart this week came from God's Word.
1.
"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don't say 'come back tomorrow and then I will help you.'" Proverbs 3:27-28
2.
"If you enjoy any fellowship together in the Holy Spirit, then make Me truly happy by working together with one heart and purpose." Philippians 2:1-2
3.
"If you need wisdom, if you want to know what God wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent you asking." James 1:5
4.
"His Divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness." 2 Peter 1:3
5.
"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition." 1 Timothy 6:9
Wealth in this world?
Wealth in God's Word?
Which are you seeking today?
The next five quotations I want to share are from small articles in magazines or online and Facebook posts. I do not always have time to sit and read, but I love it when something I read helps provide some really great inspiration to help fuel a more positive outlook in my life. I don't know about you, but I really need to read regularly. Reading refreshes my perspective, reminds me of things I have learned in the past, teaches me new information, and shares interesting ideas. Reading provides calm and quiet in the midst of a rushed, busy day.
I was waiting at the driver license office earlier this week, and decided to read two local parenting/family activities and events magazines. One of the articles was all about living in gratitude, which is so appropriate for the month of November! Here are a couple of quotes that I really liked on gratitude . . .
6.
"Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a life where you get up every morning and feel overwhelmed at how wonderful it is. Imagine the warmth of an abundance of blessings. A life where everything is exactly as it should be and things are simply perfect." - Nadine J. Larder
7.
"When you feel helpless, help."
- from
The Secrets I Share With My Friends: Life Lessons from an Imperfect Woman by Nadine J. Larder
8. I got some of this wonderful chocolate at Kroger the other day. I had not tasted this kind before, but I love anything with chocolate and almonds together. So, I had to try this! The package said it contains a poem on the wrapper. Here is a snippet from the poem it contained. . . .
"Love is not love until love's vulnerable." - Theodore Roethke
9. I get pretty tired and overwhelmed sometimes, and so this quote really made me think. I want to do more to help others and stop being so focused on me and my personally challenges. Personal issues can loom so large when you focus on them long enough! It is so much better to place our focus on Jesus and His mission --to love others and help them while offering them eternal life and salvation from their sins.
"The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served." - Gordon B. Hinckley, author of
Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues that Will Heal our Hearts and Homes
10. Lysa TerKeurstf has written many beautiful, encouraging, thought-provoking devotionals. She has a ministry called Proverbs 31 Ministries, and has also published several books. She speaks on the radio and for women's ministries events around the world. I receive her Proverbs 31 ministries updates on Facebook, and almost always find something that seems written just for me. Without going into pages of details, I share with you that I had a miscarriage last year. It was a very difficult time for me physically and emotionally. I am still experiencing this tragedy in various ways, which I will keep private. Having said that, I read Lysa's devotional the other day called "The Gift Found in Disappointment." Wow! So beautiful and exactly what I needed to hear. Feel free to read her devotional
HERE. The quote she said in this article that spoke to me the most profoundly was this one. It is ancedotal about her daughter's experience, but I could relate on so many levels.
"Ashley was born to be a leader. Put her in the right environment to lead, and she’ll thrive. I asked Ashley in the midst of rehearsals what she thought of the whole experience. She beamed and said, 'I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else than the role I’ve been given, Mom. I love being the student director. I love it so much.' When the curtain fell to the thunderous applause of proud parents cheering for their child’s performance, I couldn’t see my little brown-eyed beauty [who was behind the stage serving as student director of the play instead of acting in a lead role she had tried out for.]. . . .I even had a reply ready, just in case the mama sitting next to me leaned over and asked which one was mine.
"The one who is right where she should be."
This quote reminded me that . . . I am right where I should be. It helped me voice the truth --I love being who I am right now. I love being who I am because that is who God is leading me to be day-by-day, moment-by-moment.
