Let there be light!

And God saw the light was good and he separated the light from the darkness (Gen 1:4), so can someone please tell me why I was still in darkness?  The light was good, right?   Was I on the wrong side of the separation?  Yikes!

So there I was in life's darkness, roaming around aimlessly bumping into things.  One "OUCH!" after another.  I had a choice, but sometimes adults are more afraid of the light than children are of the dark.  Light requires relinquishing control and trusting God's plan.  Scary, right?  Anytime we go in the opposite direction of God's plan, we are actually going in the direction of fear - fear that things won't turn out the way we wish they would, fear that God might not hear our prayers, fear that God's plan might not be as amazing as ours.  Really?  Fear is definitely the monster under the bed!

During my time in darkness, I learned a few things...  

I learned that dark times will come, but God's light will separate the darkness and shine through the darkest dark (or as SpongeBob would say "advanced darkness").  

I learned that trusting God is like watching the sunrise over our midnight sky.  

I learned that when God's light shines through a dark situation, the stars in a country sky can't compare to the "ah-struck" peace we feel by His presence.  

I also learned that His light is the assurance that darkness has been overcome!

So when the situations in our lives are dark and confusing, remember that God has already separated light from darkness and one thing has remained the same over the years - His light is still good.  Take comfort in knowing that no matter how dark your night is, you can invite Him into your situation today and "let there be light!"  

"I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12

Love Always,

Shy

Just do it!

When the New Year rolled around, I did my usual assessment of my previous year's goals, then wrote my 2018 goals, but this year was different.  This year I had a written vision to line my goals up with.  

Back up!  

I finally recreated my vision board in 2017, but had never written my vision.  This was a first.  It was such an interesting process.  I was open and honest with myself in a way that surfaced things I'd either never acknowledged or just simply didn't see.  Frankly, this experience was simply eye opening, crystallizing what I really see for my life.  

Now fast forward!

Since the vision has now been written (...and made plain. Habakkuk 2:2), my actions and my words have become more intentional than ever before.  

I no longer take the side roads that don't line up with my vision.

I intentionally surround myself with environments and people that promote the vision.  

I spend more time with God in my quiet time in order to hear the right voice directing me.  (This is the way, walk in it. Isaiah 30:21)

Hearing God more clearly has brought me to my "Just do it!" season in life.  Mary (mother of Jesus) gave the best advice in John 2:5 when Jesus was about to turn water into wine at the wedding.  She told the servants "Whatever he tells you, do it".  Mary's words are still true!  Just do it!  It may not make sense.  It may look impossible.  You might even look crazy, but whatever He tells you, just do it!  Risk looking crazy!

Noah looked crazy building an ark, but he did it. (Genesis 6)  
David looked crazy fighting a giant, but he did it. (1 Samuel 17)
Simon (a fisherman) looked crazy taking a carpenter's advice on fishing, but he did it. (Luke 5)
...AND I was looking crazy trying to live on purpose without a vision, but I did it!  I wrote the vision!  (Habakkuk 2:2-3)

So get quiet, get clear and listen for His voice.  And no matter how crazy it may look, take Mary's advice - "Whatever he tells you, do it!"

Love Always,

Shy

Love Unfiltered

It was 10 degrees outside when I woke up and 56 degrees in my house.  I checked both the thermostats and adjusted the temperature, but the temperature in the house couldn't seem to get above 60.  I tried reprogramming the units.  I tried changing the batteries.  I even tried talking to the thermostats.  (Don't judge me!  I was desperate and cold!)

I put a small space heater in the bathroom so I could get dressed without chill bumps, then headed out to work.  Even though I was warm in my car and warm at work, all I could think about was how cold it would be when I got home.  So with only one thing on my mind, I left work early to head back home to troubleshoot the heating system again.

After getting home and putting on a fur coat (yes, inside the house!), I got my a/c guy on the phone and explained that I could feel a faint bit of heat coming out of the vents, but the house was not warming up.  He asked a simple question, "When was the last time you changed the filters?"  I paused knowing it had been on my "to do" list for a while, but never got "to done".  So I quickly ran out to Lowe's, purchased two new filters, came home and replaced them.  Within a few minutes, the temperature of the house was climbing one degree at a time.  Hallelujah!!!  It turns out the old filters clogged with pillows of dust were blocking the flow all along.

Fast forward a week later, I had an issue with someone whom I love dearly.  While thinking and praying about it, the issue with the filters came to mind.  I was thinking, "Really, Lord?  Can we just let a thing be a thing sometimes and not a metaphor?"  But, it was what it was...  The very issue that was driving me nuts with my loved one was an issue I would have easily loved a stranger through.  Why was it so much more disheartening with my loved one?  Why was it harder to love them through it?  Was it because my love filter had gotten clogged up with all the other muck over the past months from other issues with my loved one, whereas I would have loved a stranger from a brand new untouched love filter?  The more I sat in silence, the more I understood where this metaphor was going.  

Just as the Lord has loved me with unfailing love (Jeremiah 31:3), I was to let my love flow freely and unfailing to others.  No clogs.  No past muck.  Just unfailing love (1 Corinthians 13:8).  So I changed my love filter, lovingly addressed the issue, and changed the temperature of the entire relationship.  It not only freed them to receive the love, but it freed me to let love flow again.  So the next time you're having trouble loving someone, ask the simple question, "When was the last time you changed the filters?"

Love Always,

Shy

Remember!

I was believing God for this one thing. Well, actually it was two things.  If you're like me, sometimes looking ahead at what seems to be an impossible situation is much harder than looking back at what He's already done.  I've had sooooo many prayers answered and so many miracles performed over my lifetime that I could write a new pencil down to a nub listing them and still have more to write.  

So the other day when I was reading in my bible the story of the two Marys coming to the tomb looking for the body of Jesus, I was shocked that they were shocked that He wasn't there.  When the angels reminded them of what Jesus said about rising in 3 days, Luke 24:8 says "Then they remembered his words."  I was like "Really, Marys?!  How did you forget?  After seeing all his other miracles, why weren't you and the disciples camped out at the tomb having a potluck expecting this miracle."  I just didn't get it.

Then I flashed back to my situation and all the past miracles that have already taken place in my life. Why wouldn't I be believing and expecting another miracle? Why am I not waiting outside the tomb of my situation with expectancy?  Why am I not scrolling through my miracle chronicles?

So I pulled out my iPad and began to write a list of my personal miracles.  I started with the day I was born when the doctor gave my family grim news that it's likely neither me nor my mother would make it.  BUT GOD!  The list grew from there.  I "remembered" what He had done, and based on the precedent that had been set in my life, my faith was strengthened in what He could and would do again. So I set up camp and invited those who believe in miracles to wait expectantly outside of this situation with me.

Today, what do you need to remember to encourage you to camp out with expectancy of your miracle?  It's. Time. To. Remember!

Love Always,

Shy 

The Ultimate Pop Up Shop

There's this new trend called "pop up shops". You may have heard of it.  These are shops that weren't there the day before and suddenly they just, well, pop up.  They might just be there for the day or for the week, but it's a temporary location to showcase their goods, sell food, or offer some sort of service.  The interesting part of coming across a pop up shop, is that it could potentially change your #currentsituation.  Maybe you're headed to lunch when you come across a pop up restaurant that smells and looks delicious, so you decide to give it a try and cancel your reservation.  Or you might come across a pop up shop with really nice gift ideas and BOOM! your Christmas list just got chopped in half. Pop up shops will change your day in a snap.

So there I was in the middle of a situation that would require a very uncomfortable conversation.  It was one of those conversations that I wished didn't need to happen, but the situation had to be addressed, so there was no way around it.  I'm one of those "turn the other cheek" folks...okay, I'm an avoider!  (Let's just call it what it is!)  Well, this conversation could not be avoided, so I'd practiced what I was going to say as well as responses to several possible outcomes.  I prayed it would not go left and there would be a peaceful resolve.  None the less, my palms were sweaty as I walked down the hall.  The moment had finally come and I was ready for this.  I took a deep breath as I walked into the room and BOOM! Jesus had a pop up shop in there!  WhaTTT?!  Talk about God being my "refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalms 46:1).  I had this all planned out, but He had another plan and popped up on my behalf.  He changed the entire atmosphere of the room, gave me new words to say, responses that I hadn't expected nor rehearsed, support in ways that actually took me off guard, comfort that eased my fears, and an outcome that was far better than I'd been prepared for.

Who knew Jesus was in the pop-up business?  And who knew He would have exactly what I needed right when I needed it?  This situation worked out so differently than I'd planned that I knew for sure I'd found refuge and was safe.  

So next time you're in a situation and you've mapped out the outcome, don't get too attached to the plan. You never know when there might just be a "pop up" that will change everything in your favor!

Love Always,

Shy

Who are you entertaining this holiday season?

I can remember several years ago watching a TV program where Tyra Banks went undercover as a homeless person.  She sat on the streets, begged for money, washed up in gas station bathrooms, and lived as a homeless person would. Of all the things she shared in her experience, one thing she said really stuck with me through all these years.  She said people passing by would not make eye contact with her.  It was like if they didn't look, she didn't exist. Wow!  That really hurt to hear.  Can you imagine a world where people avoided eye contact with you?  A world where you questioned if you were seen?  A world where you doubted if you mattered at all?

Ever since I was a child, I can remember my mom telling us, "Be aware how you entertain strangers, because you may be entertaining an angel unaware" (Hebrews 13:2). That has always stuck in my mind.  I admit, sometimes we may not know what to say or what to do, but a simple, kind gesture of eye contact and a smile can be a priceless gift of which we may never know the value.

In Matthew 25:35-36 Jesus says,
"I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, 
I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, 
I was sick and you looked after me, 
I was in prison and you came to visit me."  
He goes on to say in verse 40, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

During this holiday season (and every season), let us remember to extend ourselves in love, as we never know, we may be entertaining an angel unaware.

Love Always,

Shy

Equipped to Win!

I have a confession to make.  I absolutely love watching gladiator type movies where they flight with their sword and shield.  Which brings me to my next confession, "300" is one of my absolute favorite movies.  Whenever I'm going through a tough time in life, I watch 300 and it brings out the fighter in me.  Like gladiators, I like to charge towards my situation with a fierceness that says, "I will come back with the head of my enemy!"  Of course, not in a literal sense (Don't call me crazy just yet!), but in a sense that says. "I will have victory over this!"  Whether it's an issue coming against my family or any situation robbing me of my peace, I go into full "gladiator" mode.  I envision myself charging towards it in slow motion on my black horse, my shield in front of me, while slowing drawing my sword with my eyes laser focused on taking this thing down!  (Okay, you can call me crazy now.)

So the other day as I was watching the Wonder Woman movie, my inner gladiator surfaced again. There was a scene where she was being trained to fight and was knocked to the ground.  Her trainer said, "Never let your guard down!  A battle will never be fare!"  I had to hit pause, rewind and watch that scene again.  It just made my spirit say, "Yes!"

So I started to think of what my sword and shield represent to me.

My sword is the "sword of the spirit" which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17).  The word of God strengthens my faith, so I'm able to fight with confidence! 

My shield is my "shield of faith" which protects me from the arrows of my attacker (Ephesians 6:16).  My shield blocks the fiery darts of doubt, fear and all the lies the enemy tries to get me to believe.  It represents my trust in God to protect me and bring me out of the battle safely.

No matter what the circumstances, whenever I enter into battle, I know as long as I have my sword and shield, I can come out victorious!  Let me also encourage you, my friend.  No matter what you may be going through, trust in the power of your sword and shield.  Even though "a battle will never be fare", you are equipped to win!

Love Always,

Shy