Live Intentionally

Do you ever get tired of being judged?  If you have an issue with another, do you go to that person and kindly tell them? Do they ignore you and dwell in anger? Some days, weeks and even months seem to just drag us down with judgmental, negative people. It’s these times that looking up and being happy are the most difficult. Loss does not only encompass people. It may be relationships in where you trusted another person, company, school or even your faith.

However, circumstances are made by people. Free will gives us and others, choices to do right or wrong. It gives us the opportunity to obey the commandments given to us by God, or not. Zig Ziglar, one of my favorite speakers, once said, “When Adam was confronted by the Lord in the Garden of Eden about eating the fruit from the forbidden tree, he said…Lord, let me tell you about that woman!” We all sin, blame, make excuses and mistakes. Disrespect covers many sins in one word. Betrayal of trust in any situation can bring down the house. Sometimes the world seems so much more than we feel able to bear.

The word “luck” seems to creep into conversations as much as the word proud. Luck means that things just happen by chance. Faith is belief that God has a plan. His plan rarely lines up with ours. Each time it is used to lead us back to trust in Him. When someone is proud, it seems something quickly happens to bring humility. Is this a reminder to who we are and who is truly in charge? Karma means when you are bad you receive bad and if you are good you receive good. If this was the case, there are many lop sided situations in this life. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Often, we think how hard life is. We hear the commandments of work, home, relationships and how to treat others. Oh yes, and those really important ones: Worship the Lord. Do not take the Lord’s name in vain. Keep the Sabbath day holy. Honor your Father and Mother. Do not kill. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness against your neighbor. Do not covet your neighbors wife nor goods. So many rules and so little time to break them, yet we manage to to a good job don’t we? So look up, be happy…how?

Take the time to slow down. Appreciate your loved ones. Seething in anger only hurts one, and it’s you. Learn who is truly worthy of your time. Walk away from those that judge you, first sentence or last. Respect others.  Since loss, many things seem trivial. It is a gift to truly realize tragedy versus inconvenience. Smile, pray, and be grateful for today. Live intentionally.  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

As a new school year begins, I pray for truth, safety, peace and that we all remember to do unto others as we would have done unto us. There is a difference between a Christian and a follower of Christ. Be a follower. Shine bright. Forgive. Live intentionally.

Peace & Blessings,

MamaC

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17