Loving Me!

For the month of January I took a leave of absence from social media. No Twitter, no Facebook, no Instagram... I didn't even check up on my favorite blogs.

Those 31 days were awesome!

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy social media. I like staying in touch and seeing what's going on in the lives of my friends, associates, and the celebrities I follow. But, honestly, sometimes scrolling through news feeds can be... depressing.

God has blessed me to be in touch with some amazing people, and logging on every day and seeing the latest engagement status, news of the launch of someone's business, pictures of my people enjoying fabulous vacations, and reading about how certain folks I know are becoming the news can be a bit tiring... and intimidating... and daunting. Especially when I know I'm not where I want to be in my life quite yet.

So, taking a break from all of that allowed me to focus on me. I got to enjoy my own sphere free of influence from outside sources. Instead of thinking about how much so-and-so is doing, I was able to focus on what I'm supposed to be doing. Instead of wondering how this person was able to get so far ahead, I was able to plan out my next few steps.

I was able to narrow my focus. I was able to see the greatness inside of me and not allow myself to belittle it just because someone else I know is doing their thing with a different flair.

My sabbatical may be a bit longer as a result of this.

Today, praise God for the greatness that He's placed on the inside of YOU. Embrace your uniqueness. Savor the place you're in right now. Enjoy the gifts, attributes, qualities, quirks, and personality that the Lord has blessed you with.

What do you do to stay focused? How do you keep your destiny walk free from distractions?  

Verse of the Day: I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

Playing Favorites

Everyone has a favorite. A favorite song, a favorite tv show, a favorite food... We all have something that excites us, that gives us pleasure, that makes us smile.

Some of us have favorite people. We will go out of our way for them. We'll deprive ourselves to make them happy. We will do our very best to make sure they experience the very best. All because we prefer them over other people we know.

God - thankfully - doesn't play favorites. He doesn't do more for one than He would another. He loves us all equally, and He wants to do His very best to make sure we all experience the very best.

Sometimes it feels like God is playing favorites, though. We see other people getting blessed when we aren't. We go through our own heartaches when others around us seem to be full of joy. We pray and don't feel like God is giving us any answers while our neighbors are testifying of how God came and spoke to them.

How can God not play favorites when He blesses some and not others?

God is sovereign. He knows what He is doing. When He allows dark times in our lives, it's only because He knows that we can handle it. He knows that we can overcome whatever trial that comes our way. Plus, He's working out every situation for our good. (Romans 8:28) He's bringing every person to their expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11) And that end is prosperous for us all.

Today, you may be hurting, but God has allowed someone else to be full of joy just so they can encourage you. Tomorrow you may be the one that's full of strength for someone else who is at a weak point. You may not hear God's voice today, but tomorrow He may answer. God has everything in perfect harmony, so that all of mankind can be blessed.

God doesn't play favorites. He longs for all of us to love Him and to want to please and be close to Him. (1 Timothy 2:4) He sent His Son for all of us to be saved. (John 3:16) He doesn't want any one of us to perish. Whether your sky is gray or sunny, God is walking with you. He will never leave or forsake you. You are His special creation. You are His unique handiwork.

Don't ever forget how special you are to Him.

Verse of the Day: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee... Jeremiah 1:5a

The Glamorous Life?

I'll admit it: I'm a celeb watcher. I think it's more because I like "being in the know" than I actually like the celebrities. I enjoy knowing what's going on with everything everywhere. Celebs just fall into that broad category.

Lately I've been wondering really what's so great about being a celebrity. It seems like the majority of them have some pretty chaotic lives. If it's not going to rehab, it's going to jail. They're getting divorces and fighting over children. Paparazzi follow their every motion. They face lawsuits from people trying to squeeze them for millions of dollars over nothing.

Not too glamorous.

Yet, we as a society put them on a pedestal. We accentuate the positive. We gloss over the dirt and revel in the glitz and showcase imagining how nice it would be for us to "live the life." We 'ooh' and 'ahh' over their clothes, cars, and homes. We wonder what it would be like to have our own private planes travelling to exotic islands across the seas.

The Bible tells us that we shouldn't envy the rich, and I can see why. Often these people live Godless lives which end in tragedy and despair. Many of the people basking in the bright lights live in fear, depression, and hopelessness.

We have been blessed with the richness of God's love. We may never walk a red carpet or ride in a private jet. We may never see our name in lights or own a mansion. Yet we still have so much more than those who do. We have God's love and an intimate relationship with Him. As a result, we live in peace and joy. There's nothing in this world that can top that.

Verse of the Day: Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. Proverbs 23:17, 18