Tonight I was wrapped up in some family fun creating some awesome Valentine's Day boxes for my munchkins. So, I missed out on chatting with all the lovely ladies tonight on Twitters #fmfparty. I was bummed but spending quality time with my babies was amazing! Here are the finished products: My daughter wanted a camo mailbox for her Valentines. (Camo...this is new...usually it's pink, purple, rainbows and butterflies....) and my son wanted Indiana Jones. (Because Ninja Turtles just aren't cool enough!)
Tonight's prompt is WHEN
Remember: 5 minutes of unedited, let your fingers fly across the keyboard and let the words pour out of your soul!
Ready, set, .... GO!
Recently, I have been chatting with a young friend of mine that I have known since she was incredibly young. We lost touch for quite some time and thanks to social media we have been able to reconnect. In the midst of our chats, she has told me on several occasions how "inspired" she is by my words and my story and how much of an impact I have had on her life as a young child. I too was quite young back then. Late teens - oh my...I knew myself back then... and she was influenced by that? I shook my head hoping if there was one good thing I said, she only heard that ONE good thing!
When do we realize the seeds we plant, if ever? When we are going about our daily business, young, naive, and have not a clue in the world, how do we NOT realize the impact we are having on those around us? How do we NOT KNOW we are even planting seeds? At nineteen we are focused on a variety of other things. I wasn't thinking of being a mentor, or a person that one sought for advice. Now don't get me wrong, I had my faith, I believed in right and wrong but I was an angry, vocal, headstrong teenager who felt like I knew everything I needed to know to live this life and survive. But that's ALL that I was doing... simply surviving.
Fast forward about 15 years. Reality check!
My friend and I dove into a very lengthy conversation and that's when I knew I stopped surviving and started thriving! She asked some difficult questions and I was incredibly candid with her. I felt the importance of truth to this young woman was more valuable than my pride.
Remember: 5 minutes of unedited, let your fingers fly across the keyboard and let the words pour out of your soul!
Ready, set, .... GO!
Recently, I have been chatting with a young friend of mine that I have known since she was incredibly young. We lost touch for quite some time and thanks to social media we have been able to reconnect. In the midst of our chats, she has told me on several occasions how "inspired" she is by my words and my story and how much of an impact I have had on her life as a young child. I too was quite young back then. Late teens - oh my...I knew myself back then... and she was influenced by that? I shook my head hoping if there was one good thing I said, she only heard that ONE good thing!
When do we realize the seeds we plant, if ever? When we are going about our daily business, young, naive, and have not a clue in the world, how do we NOT realize the impact we are having on those around us? How do we NOT KNOW we are even planting seeds? At nineteen we are focused on a variety of other things. I wasn't thinking of being a mentor, or a person that one sought for advice. Now don't get me wrong, I had my faith, I believed in right and wrong but I was an angry, vocal, headstrong teenager who felt like I knew everything I needed to know to live this life and survive. But that's ALL that I was doing... simply surviving.
Fast forward about 15 years. Reality check!
My friend and I dove into a very lengthy conversation and that's when I knew I stopped surviving and started thriving! She asked some difficult questions and I was incredibly candid with her. I felt the importance of truth to this young woman was more valuable than my pride.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
When Paul wrote to the Corinth's it was incredibly powerful. "For when I am weak, then I am strong." Its the moment we hit our knees and ask God to carry our burdens. We know that we cannot go on and we NEED our King of Kings. His strength picks us up and carries us through granting such a relief that our shoulders are no longer carrying the weight of the world. Ten years ago, I wouldn't have even thought of revealing any of my wrong doings. In fact, I would have covered them up and tiptoed around the truth. But now... now I've grown, matured and have been pruned and I know the Lord still has much work to be done on myself and I await another pruning session. During the journey, I keep Him as my center, allowing His hands to guide my feet, my words, and my actions. I've noticed a pattern of which He has been asking me to reveal the tough lessons I have learned to others- helping to guide the hurt to Him. Because that is where true healing starts, remains, and continues for all eternity.
STOP
Dear friends, I pray this message finds a special place in your heart. It can be easier not to drag out all those bones you've so neatly tucked in your closet. We are set on survival mode as opposed to thriving for a greater spiritual relationship. The Lord offers us a chance at being great if we set aside our pride and follow His lead. Let Him use you for all the uniqueness of your heart and soul. We each have a very special purpose to serve- no one is greater than the next but each are undoubtedly wanted and needed!
-Shannon
STOP
Dear friends, I pray this message finds a special place in your heart. It can be easier not to drag out all those bones you've so neatly tucked in your closet. We are set on survival mode as opposed to thriving for a greater spiritual relationship. The Lord offers us a chance at being great if we set aside our pride and follow His lead. Let Him use you for all the uniqueness of your heart and soul. We each have a very special purpose to serve- no one is greater than the next but each are undoubtedly wanted and needed!
-Shannon