Sick Day

On Friday I had to rush to my son’s school to pick him up because he had a temperature.  Matthew’s ’sick day’ turned into a ‘sick weekend’ and today he had to take another ‘sick day’ from school.  It’s not fun being sick!

These past four days I’ve prayed with my son, hugged him, taken his temperature dozens of times and my husband and I have reorganized our schedules to make sure our son knows we are there for him, his sick days have become ours as well.  Why?  Because we love him and hate to see him wrapped up in covers shivering, sweating, crying, and moaning.  I can honestly say I wish it was me instead of him.

Today as I drove to work, knowing that I’ll have to go back in a bit for his doctor’s appointment, I prayed for him and thanked God that it isn’t anything permanent, and was reminded about how much our Heavenly Father cares for us.

There’s a Scripture that I memorized as a child in Psalm 103 that stated how God is compassionate as an earthly father is, and I never quite understood it as well as I do now.  I care so much, that I would rather have to deal with what my son is battling now than watch him go through it.  That’s how our Heavenly Father is, He cares for what we’re going through, He loves us, He is filled with compassion, and sometimes we need to be reminded of that.

If you’ve struggled with the thought that if you took a sick day no one would notice, no one would miss you, no one would care, please remember that God cares, and no matter how busy He may be, your sick days matter to Him.  He’s there to love you, care for you, comfort you, and deliver you from whatever it may be that is ailing you.  Just in case you’d forgotten, today is just a quick reminder that He cares.

“The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.”
Psalm 103:13 (NLT)

Carry You!

This morning as I was combing my five-year old daughter Bella’s hair for school, I remembered how when she was just learning to use words to communicate she would cry, extend her arms and say, “Carry you Mommy, carry you.”  This went on for a couple of months before figuring out she was supposed to say “Carry me Mommy!”  Now my baby is too big for me to carry and instead asks for hugs and kisses repeatedly.

I thought about it this morning and was thankful that I can ask my Heavenly Father to carry me.  I can use more eloquent words than my baby Bella did, but His Word reminds me that I can give Him my worries because He cares for me.  If I can’t figure out exactly how to express myself, I can be reminded that in 1 Peter 5:7 it says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”  When I don’t know what to say, I can say, “Carry me Heavenly Father!” and be at peace.

So today, I don’t know what’s weighing on you, but whatever the case may be you have access to God through His Son Jesus, and you can say, “CARRY ME” with open arms.  What will God do, turn away and say He’s too busy?  Not at all!  He will carry us and make a way.  If you’re burdened and filled with anxiety, raise your hands and say, “CARRY ME”!!!

“Blessed be the Lord—
day after day he carries us along.
He’s our Savior, our God, oh yes!
He’s God-for-us, he’s God-who-saves-us.”
Psalm 68:19-20 (MSG)

Breaking Chains

Samuel Jackson once said, “The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.”  

Far too often I find that incredible, talented, intelligent people allow habits to become a part of their lives that in the beginning seem harmless, but then become unbreakable chains.  Young people enticed into trying things that are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken, because they are chained by them.   It’s tough, because sometimes those who find themselves held captive by the chains that once were not felt want to be set free, but somehow cannot find the key to freedom.

I know I don’t have all the answers, but I’ve learned a couple of things along the way.  I cannot walk into the trap of thinking that just because I don’t feel the chain it won’t hold me down.  I need to live life conscious of the fact that there are things I just cannot become entangled with, no matter what others or my desires might tell me.  I’ve also learned that if I find myself bound by the chains I once didn’t feel, I cannot rely on myself to be set free, I need help.

I’ve met wonderful people who’ve been bound by chains and do not find the freedom they so much desire because they won’t ask for help.  The Word teaches us that He came to set the captives free, and at times our first step to freedom is acknowledging that the chains are real, and that we cannot do it on our own.

Today my prayer is that we would have the discernment and conviction to not fall into the trap of thinking that a harmful habit will always remain an unfelt, weak chain; and that those who find themselves entrapped by chains would find the freedom that God wants us to enjoy, a free life.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

Secret to Success

Have you ever wondered what road a successful person took to arrive at success?  Wouldn’t it be great if there was only one type of success and one way to get there?  Perhaps that would be ideal, but it’s not real.  So what is the big secret?  How do we become successful?  So many give up because they become quickly discouraged.

George Washington once said, “It’s wonderful what we can do if we keep on doing.”  So is that the secret to success?  I’ve found that it’s the best thing for me to do is to be persistent, not give up, but keep doing what I’ve set out to do.

What have you been frustrated with?  What have you stopped doing because you haven’t seen the desired results?  I’ve seen that at times if I just keep doing without getting frustrated, the results are AMAZING.

So here’s the deal: I’m not encouraging to keep investing in a stock that is failing, but I am encouraging you to continue being kind to that person who sort of irks you; keep loving those you’ve placed in the ‘unloveable’ category; keep believing and trusting that the God you serve will help you through the trial you’re facing, even when it seems impossible.  Remind yourself that you can accomplish wonderful things, if you keep doing.

So today I leave you not with THE secret to success, but perhaps one of the secrets to success, KEEP DOING!

“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.”
Galatians 6:9 (MSG)

What Do You KNOW???

I recently had a conversation with a teenager to encourage her to finish high school, or at least get her General Education Diploma.  As our conversation progressed I explained to her that although her artistic abilities were great, it wouldn’t hurt to have options, such as a diploma and some formal education to fall back on to ensure future success.

As we spoke for a bit, she looked at me and asked me, “What do you know?  You look kind of young to be giving advice.”  I didn’t know whether to be insulted or flattered.  Insulted that this teenager didn’t believe I had her best interest at heart, or flattered that this teenager thought I looked young.  We finished our conversation (on a good note), but I left a bit disheartened because I’m not sure this teenager understood why her parents, leaders, and family members are so concerned for her future.  It’s not about control, it’s about knowing a bit more than she does.

The ‘what do you know’ question has resounded in my mind for the last couple of days, and I realized that I have almost four decades worth of experience which qualify me to have a bit of knowledge.  I’m glad that as a teenager I listened to advice (not all the time, but most of the time) and at a young age I came to respect experience as one of the greatest teachers.  Why would anyone in their right mind choose to do what hasn’t ever worked for others?  That is one question I do NOT know the answer to, but this I do know:

1. The voice of experience has value
2. There is wisdom in the counsel of the wise
3. There are mistakes that are NOT worth repeating
4. There is value in honoring our elders
5. The mistakes of the past can serve as a catalyst of change to inspire future generations

So here’s the thing, I don’t know everything, but I do know that honoring God’s Word works, and I’ve chosen to do that above all things.  If I’m honoring God’s Word, I cannot dishonor my parents, my elders, and those in authority.  There is some sort of reason why God put these people in our lives, even when we don’t understand it or don’t agree.  I know that others don’t have all the answers all the time, yet when it comes to the common sense issues of life, and there are multiple people advising us which way to go, let’s stop, listen, and ask God to give us the wisdom and humility to accept what others know.  What do you think?

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.”
Proverbs 1:5 (NIV)

Our History

This weekend my five-year-old Bella was telling me that her friend’s Nana (grandmother) had died and how sad she was for her.  The conversation quickly transitioned into inquiries about my grandparents and their whereabouts.  I explained to Bella I only had one Nana (grandmother) alive, and how my grandmother is the woman in our family we call Abuelita.

She then wanted to know if I was sad that I only have one grandmother and wanted to know how it felt to lose my paternal grandparents and maternal grandfather.  After conversing with her about my family, how it felt when my Abuelitos and Abuelita passed away, who cried, how my parents felt about, I was quite exhausted from trying to remember each of these events, most of which happened during my childhood.  I thought the topic of history was over yet had forgotten that my son was working on a project on Puerto Rico, so in truth we had just begun.

My children are third generation Hispanic-Americans (both my husband and I are second generation).  My Mom was born in the states, as were we (my husband and I), as now are they.  Although we identify ourselves as Puerto Ricans and honor several traditions and cultural practices in our home, as a family we have lived in the United States over 60 years and the essence of understanding the history of Puerto Rico is not present in our daily lives.  That didn’t stop us from beginning the quest for historical facts about the island and where our ancestors came from.

My son will be presenting at about noon today and he’s been prepped, he’s practiced, and he pretty much can hold his own on information regarding general historical facts about the island.  Although my son has a bit of general knowledge (as well as the rest of the family), I guarantee you that our next visit to Puerto Rico will be more adventurous because my children already have their list of questions, they want to know more about their history.

This morning I was reminded how important it is for us to honor our history, but not only our cultural one.  We were created by God, for God, and we’ve got this one chance here on earth to get it right, but we need to know HIStory.  There are so many times we adapt to the world and culture we live in, and we forget history, the reason we’re here.

So I challenge you to take the time to delve into God’s Word on a daily basis, and don’t just live life in auto-pilot, conforming to what others think you should be.  When it comes to our lives, HIStory paves the way to our destiny.  Learning how others succeeded and failed, the struggles and victories, and what God had to say about things helps me live life in a way that pleases Him.  Let’s know HIStory and live our lives understanding where we came from and fulfill our destiny by understanding why we’re here.

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
Romans 12:2 (MSG)

I am WOMAN!!!

Today is International Women’s Day and it’s interesting to read so many different thoughts, opinions, suggestions, so I figure I’d join the crowd and chime in, being that I am a woman. (:

I thought of the many women who have changed history, so many I’ve read about who’ve been trend setters, matriarchs and today we are able to stand on their shoulders.  As I went through my personal library of books about women, I chose to share a quote from a woman who lived 93 years, 30 of those in slavery, and spent her time as a free slave helping more than 300 slaves northward to freedom by risking her life.  She helped during the war serving as a nurse, laundress, and spy.  As if she hadn’t done enough, she then helped set up schools for freed slaves.  An amazing woman who didn’t get to see the freedom we today enjoy, but definitely a matriarch, a trendsetter, a catalyst, a woman whose shoulders we today stand on.

The woman I am speaking of once said, “I always told God: I’m going to hold steady on to You, and You got to see me through…  Just so long as He wants to use me, He’ll take care of me, and when He don’t want me any longer, I’m ready to go.”  Harriet Tubman is the woman that today I celebrate.  Her footprints are so difficult to fill, yet she leaves us with the inspiration and true meaning of what an amazing woman is.

There are many of us who celebrate today, but I choose to cherish what Harriet Tubman did for humanity.  If she were here and had an opportunity to say, “I am WOMAN”, I’m sure she’d follow it not with a “hear me roar”, but instead a, “watch me serve, watch me sacrifice, watch me hold steady on to God and allow Him to lead me”.

So today, “I am WOMAN” and I want to be the woman who God uses in all I do.  I want to hold steady and be confident that He will take care of me.  I am His creation, and I will live a life worthy of Him, and celebrate my womanhood by living out my design with humility and passion.  Happy International Day of Women, let’s embrace who God made us to be.

“Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves!  Festoon her life with praises!”
Proverbs 31:30-31 (MSG)

HELP ME!!!

I ran into a poster that said:

“A prayer to be said
When the world has gotten you down,
And you feel rotten,
And you’re too doggone tired to pray,
And you’re in a big hurry,
And besides, you’re mad at everybody…
help.”

HELP is the last word many of us use appropriately in life.  Why?  Pride sets in and we don’t use the word HELP wisely!  As believers we often pretend we are strong enough to do everything on our own, and we don’t ask for help when it counts.  Help is not for others to do things for you, but instead for others to help carry the load with you.

In Scripture over and over we see the principle of help taking place.  Adam had Eve;  Moses had Joshua; Esther had Mordecai; Naomi had Ruth; Jesus had the disciples; Paul had Timothy; and you’ve probably been able to name a couple more.  God places people in our lives not for us to load them with our burdens, but instead discern when it’s time to ask for help to move forward.

Stop being stubborn and unwilling to admit when you need help!  Don’t live life complaining and bickering, go to God, and if you need help figuring out how to give Him your burdens, ask someone who’s been successful at it.  Tell them, “Help me learn how to do this!  I’m tired of feeling down, rotten, and mad. I need to stop faking I’m OK, and I need help from someone who’s learned to unburden themselves the right way.”  Then go your way and apply what you’ve learned.  Don’t waste the help you’re given, embrace it, make it yours, and make it work.

God didn’t put you on earth to live life in desperation and frustration, He put you on earth that you would have life, and have it in abundance.  Start living your best life TODAY!

“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you.”
Psalm 55:22 (NLT)

Antiquated

We live in such a modern society that although many things are considered ancient history, it’s only been several decades that life has changed for some of us.  I lived in the ancient days without cell phones, e-mail, Skype, and all the ‘taken-for-granted’ privileges that technology offers us today.

This weekend I took my two middle children on a trip back in time, we went to the United States Post Office.  The line was a long on a Saturday afternoon, and I had to mail a box and didn’t want to pay the extra fees by going to one of the ‘advertised competitors’, so stand in line we did.

I observed my surroundings and I felt as if I’d just stepped out of a time machine, high ceilings, poor lighting, pale grey walls, weird echoes (no music in the background) old counters with pens that didn’t work, and the list went on and on.  My son chimed in quickly and said, “Can’t we do this quicker Mom, this place takes FOREVER.  You can’t e-mail these people to pick up the box?”  I explained to my son how snail mail was still a very important part of our lives, and how we should appreciate the service the post office provides.

The opportunity presented itself to teach my children a lesson, and I did.  There are so many times that we tend to look down on things that seem irrelevant, ancient, and of no use, yet the past has brought us to where we are, and we cannot forget that.

Today, be thankful for the yesterdays, for the things that seem irrelevant yet at times serve their purpose.  Be slow to criticize or try to bring up to speed those who seem to be stuck in time, because maybe, just maybe, becoming ‘relevant’ would take away the identity, use and purpose they were intended to have.

I’m thankful the United States Post Office still does snail mail, I would have hated to pay $50.00 for a package I only paid $18.00 for, antiquated systems and all.  Not only did I save money, but I was able to teach my kids a lesson on a chore-filled Saturday afternoon.

Take some time to honor the past, if it weren’t for the past, we wouldn’t have what we enjoy today.

“Remember that you were once slaves in the land of Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you!”
Deuteronomy 15:15 (NLT)

IDK

‘I don’t know’ (idk) is one of the most overused and overrated statements in society today.  When facing a crossroad, many people don’t know which way to go; when encountering a crisis, many don’t know what to do; when having to make a life-altering choice, many don’t know how to choose.

Indecisiveness irks me.  I’ve learned that I must make decisions, and although I don’t know what to do ALL of the time, I pray about it, consider the choices I have, and make the choice I need to make.  Why?  Because I cannot live life in an ‘idk’ state of mind.  John Mason once said, “Lack of decisiveness has caused more failures than lack of intelligence or ability.”

Personally, I’ve not always made the best choices, but in being decisive I’ve learned to ask God to help me discern which choice is the best.  Yet because I ask for God’s help it doesn’t translate into inactivity on my behalf waiting for activity to happen on its own.

Fear can be a motivating factor to live life in a permanent state of ‘idk’ and we need to understand that nothing great has ever been accomplished without a decision.  This week I challenge you to eliminate I DON’T KNOW (idk) as an option to cop-out of a situation.

Ask God to illuminate your path and then take the steps you must take, be decisive, be bold, be fearless!

“Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:6b (NLT)